Toffee Squares - a quick cookie alternative

I volunteered to bring in cookies the other day but was short on time (what’s new). I made these toffee squares which were equally delicious but took a fraction of the time. They remind me of a favorite dessert from my high school lunch room  - “chocolate squares” - which is actually a good thing. My high school randomly had amazing food: fresh baked bread every day, amazing french toast, grilled bagels with fresh cream cheese. Holy carbs. Chocolate squares were the main course of many a high school lunch. Anyway, these toffee squares are quick and easy - highly recommended.

Toffee Squares (adapted from a recipe from thepioneerwoman.com) (click here for printable recipe)

Ingredients:

2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups chocolate chips
3/4 cups finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, salt and flour and mix until combined. Spread on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper with an offset spatula until thin. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle on chocolate chips. Return to oven for 1 minute. Remove from oven and spread chocolate thinly over the cookie layer.

Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Let set and cut into squares.