Toffee Brownies

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Though I’ve published more than 50 (!!!) brownie recipes in the past 15 years, I still find inspiration to develop new flavors.

Little did I know just how popular this new recipe would be!

I originally published this Toffee Brownies recipe in 2013, but it needed a overhaul. So, I went to the kitchen! After a few tweaks, I sent a batch to Joe’s workplace, only to receive an empty pan with unanimous feedback demanding another round of “taste testing.”

I’m not exaggerating – I’ve made these brownies over 10 times since creating the recipe because people keep asking me to make them.

And I don’t mind one bit. These brownies are everything I want in a dessert!

They’re quick and easy to make. They’re chocolate-forward (a definite win in my book). They’re rich and chewy with crunchy toffee throughout – aka texture heaven.

Give these brownies a try the next time you need a chocolate fix (so, right now, right? 😉). You won’t be disappointed!

How to Make Toffee Brownies

What Type of Chocolate Chips Should I Use in Brownies?

Semi-sweet is my favorite, but feel free to fold in any variety of chocolate chips you prefer. Whatever you do, don’t skip the chocolate chips! They help to develop that shiny crust on top of brownies. Learn more about the shiny crust on brownies here. 

The Toffee in Toffee Brownies

You can use store-bought or homemade! For extra gourmet brownies, use my Homemade Toffee Bits recipe. You can also use Heath brand English toffee bits (as pictured below), available in supermarkets by the chocolate chips in the baking aisle.

Using Butter + Oil in Toffee Brownies

• With any cocoa powder-based brownie recipe, we need quite a bit of fat to prevent the cocoa powder from drying the brownies out and making them crumbly. 
• These brownies use a combination of melted butter and oil for the best balance of taste and texture. 
• I typically use vegetable oil, but any flavorless oil should work – just make sure your oil is fresh to avoid a rancid flavor.
• Check out my side-by-side baking experiments comparing Butter vs. Oil in Baking here.

Why is There Cornstarch in Brownies? 

I have found that adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch makes brownies thick and chewy, like box mix brownies, and improves the shiny crust on top – so don’t skip this ingredient. Learn more about that shiny crust on the top of brownies here. 

The Sugar in Toffee Brownies

We’re using a combination of granulated sugar and light brown sugar in this Toffee Brownie recipe. This creates a flavorful brownie with plenty of moisture, without adding too much moisture. It also complements the caramelized toasty flavors of the toffee perfectly.

Can I Reduce the Sugar in These Brownies?

• Don’t reduce the amount of sugar in Toffee Brownies unless you want dry and crumbly brownies.
• Reducing the sugar will also result in a dull (not shiny) crust.
• The sweetness will mellow as the brownies cool and set.
• If you’re worried these brownies will be too sweet for your preference, simply use dark or bittersweet chocolate chips to help balance the sweetness without ruining the texture of the brownies.
• Learn more about sugar’s role in baking brownies here (spoiler alert: sugar does so much more than just sweetening!)

What’s The Best Pan for Baking Brownies?

I highly recommend using a light-colored metal 8×8-inch baking pan like this one, lined with foil or parchment paper. Do not use glass, silicone, or ceramic pans for baking brownies. Learn why in my Glass vs. Metal Baking Pans article here.

Can I Double This Toffee Brownie Recipe? 

Yes – simply double all ingredients and bake in a light-colored metal 9×13 metal pan, adding a few minutes to the bake time. 

How to Cut Toffee Brownies for Clean Slices

For perfect slices, allow brownies to cool fully (chilled is even better!). Use a sharp knife and run it under hot water, carefully wiping it off in between each cut.

How to Store Toffee Brownies?

Toffee Brownies taste best the day they are baked but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the fridge. When chilled, they become even more fudgy!

Can You Freeze Toffee Brownies?

Yes! Brownies freeze beautifully. Freeze the whole slab or individual slices by wrapping in plastic wrap and storing inside a freezer bag or an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or for a couple of hours at room temperature before serving. 

More Brownie Recipes You’ll Love:

• Best Ever Chewy Brownies
• Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies
• Brown Butter Brownies
• Copycat Cosmic Brownies
• Raspberry Brownies

This recipe was originally published in 2013 and updated in 2024 with a new and improved recipe, photos, and more baking tips. Photography by Joanie Simon.