Maple Toffee Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (12 ounce) bag chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Beat butter and vegetable shortening with brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and maple extract until smooth; stir in flour and salt. Lightly press the dough into a 10×15-inch baking dish.

Bake until the crust is set and lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

Melt chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Remove crust from oven and spread melted chocolate in a layer on top. Sprinkle with walnuts. Cut bars while still warm; let chocolate set, about 1 hour, before serving.