Let it be known that I have a gift. I have the extreme TALENT of finding something I LOVE and then I have the extreme misfortune of watching that item (whatever it may be) sell out, be back-ordered, or basically go extinct. I don’t know how I do it, but I have a knack for loving the un-findable things.
Almond Roca Cookie Bar Mix
Once upon a time, you could buy this amazing Almond Roca Cookie bar mix from Costco. It was from the creators of the Almond Roca Bar, Brown and Haley, and it was INCREDIBLE. It was SO simple and it was amazingly delicious.
It was only available at Costco and it divine. I never tried to replicate it because it was SO easy and SO delicious.
THEN THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENED.
The Almond Roca Cookie Bar Mixes were GONE. They never came out at Christmas, you couldn’t find them in any store – not even AMAZON or EBAY! (I know, I looked – I was that desperate!)
What was the world coming to?!
I scoured the internet and Pinterest. I wasn’t even looking for recipes – just that dang mix! It was THAT good!
Finally, I gave up and started looking for decent copycat recipes and I was STUNNED when my search pulled up very few options.
So the quest began. Create the best imitation Almond Roca Bar recipe – one that I could make from now on at Christmas (or anytime I had the hankering).
I’m not gonna lie: this was not easy. I had several failed attempts.
I was looking for a shortbread crust, a soft caramel center, and (of course) the signature Almond Roca topping chocolate and toffee topping.
Each recipe fell short for some reason or another … UNTIL!
This one. I had tried several different options when this one took me by surprise! It’s as good as I remember the Almond Roca cookie mix being. The only difference is that it was homemade and the box was … well, a box mix.
Recipe
Almond Roca Cookie Bars
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust
- 1 lb butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 TB vanilla
- 4 cups flour
For the Caramel:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp salt
For the topping
- 1 bag Heath Bits 'o Brickle toffee bits OR Heath toffee bits
Instructions
For the shortbread:
- In a mixer, beat butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Add vanilla and flour.
- Spray a 9x13 pan and spread the mixture out.
- Bake at 325 for 20-25 min (or until edges are slightly gold)
For the Caramel:
- Combine all caramel ingredients in a saucepan.
- Stir constantly.
- Bring to a boil for 1 minute and pour over crust.
- Bake at 325 for another 25-30 minutes.
- As soon as it's done baking, pour the bag of toffee on top.
- Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
You’ll have to let me know what you think of these Almond Roca cookie bars. They are some of my FAVORITE because it’s a perfect combination of buttery shortbread, sweet caramel, and roca crunchies on top. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Also, to be clear, my recipe calls for either THESE toffee bits, or THESE toffee and chocolate bits instead. I’ve tried both and both are DELICIOUS. It’s all about how you want your cookie bars to taste: More toffee-y or more chocolate-y?
Other recipes to try:
If you’re looking for some other amazing almond roca recipes be sure to check out my girl Ashlee to post a recipe for HOMEMADE Almond Roca. WHOA YUM!.
If you want a amazing cashew toffee crunch, then you HAVE to head over to my friend Aimee’s blog. She’s amazing!!!
What’s your current favorite dessert? Let me know in a comment below!
These look so incredible! Definitely going on my must try list! 😋😋
Is it really 1 pound of butter for the crust? How many cups is that? I am so excited to try this recipe!
YES 😳😳 it really is a pound of butter in the crust. 😂😂 It’s worth it!! That’s 4 cubes – when I buy the box at Costco it’s 1lb. So 4 cubes, 1lb, or 2cups! Happy baking!!
I remember those Almond Roca bar mix having some sort of chocolate spread on top or maybe using the HEATH Toffee Bits with Milk Chocolate…anyone?…anyone?
Many of the copycat recipes I’ve seen they do smear a layer of chocolate chips or something on top. If I remember correctly, the Almond Roca mix I found at Costco used the Heath toffee bits – like you suggested!
I’ve been searching for a good copycat for this for YEARS. Sams Club also carried them and they were my absolute favorite!!
I hope it meets your expectations! It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty dang close. I only wish I could’ve had another box or two to compare – this was just off of memory, but let me know what you think!!
THANK YOU! I have missed these incredible bars so much and your recipe nailed it! That first heavenly bite….oooh. Best recipe ever!
You just made my night!! I’m so glad you tried the recipe and found it to be a good copycat. I need to make this for Christmas!!
Your journey to these bars could be mine! Thank you so much for developing and publishing this recipe. These look amazing!
I’m so glad you like them! They are a holiday favorite at our house!
I loved that mix also, so was very excited to try this recipe. I’m not sure where I went wrong though. I also thought 1lb of butter was a lot for the crust, but I followed the recipe exactly. The top came out great, but the bottom cookie layer is oozing butter. Any ideas what I did wrong?
Kathy – I’m so glad you tried this but I’m sorry it didn’t turn out like it should have. I’m Utah-based, so very high elevation. Could that have anything to do with the bottom layer not turning out?
When I left it overnight, it became more solid and it tastes really good. My daughter absolutely loves it, so I’ll be making it again. Maybe with a bit less butter 🙂 She loved the mix, which is why I started to look for a recipe. So, thank you, and thank you for replying! And my daughter thanks you 🙂
Based on my long ago memory (LOVED those Almond Roca bar mixes and we were frequent buyers so why did they have to discontinue it!?!), I think the taste is pretty spot-on, so thank you for this recipe!! I had tried other recipes which weren’t the same and this is one I think I will stick with. The shortbread layer is thicker than the original mixes but not complaining 😀
Judy! I’m so glad you made these and loved them! I have NO IDEA why they stopped making these Almond Roca bars – I still look for them every holiday, but no luck. These will do for now!
Forgot to leave a rating on my last comment!
Just a FYI, print function not working, just a blank page comes up!
Thank you so much for letting me know! It should be fixed now!!
Can these be stored in the freezer? I want to make them but won’t be giving them away for until 4-5 days later.
I haven’t frozen them before, so I can’t answer this for sure… but I’m guessing it would be fine!
These were amazing! Thank you for the recipe. How do you store these?
YAY! I’m so glad you like them!!
I usually keep them in the 9×13 I bake them in because my glass bakeware has a lid – but any airtight container will do!
I haven’t made them yet, but I also have been longing for the bars made from the Costco package. The pictures of your squares look like there is some chocolate, but none is mentioned in the recipe. Is there chocolate mixed in with the toffee bits?
YES – so in the recipe the toppping is 1 bag Heath Bits ‘o Brickle toffee bits OR 1 bag of Heath toffee bits. Whichever you prefer!!