I'm Nuts for Pecans

Pecans are one of my favorite nuts to bake with, and today being 

National Pecan Day, what a better way to celebrate than with

English Toffee and a glass of milk!

English Toffee

Ingredients: 

8 ounces Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar
³/₄ cup pecans, finely chopped
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
¹/₈ teaspoon salt (optional)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Toast the chopped pecans on a baking sheet in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until fragrant.
With heavy-duty aluminum foil, form a 10-inch square shell with 1-inch high sides. Place the foil shell on a baking sheet, and set aside.
In a heavy saucepan, cook the butter, sugar, water, and salt over medium heat until the temperature reaches 305F (hard-crack stage), stirring occasionally (watch closely after it reaches 290F because the temperature will increase rapidly). When the mixture becomes dark golden brown, immediately remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into the foil shell. It will spread but may not reach the edges of the square. Cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, or until hard.
Melt the chocolate according to instructions on the side of package. Spread melted chocolate over the cooled toffee, and sprinkle with the pecans, pressing lightly to set pecans into chocolate. Let set at room temperature 1 hour, or until the chocolate is set. Break toffee into pieces. Store covered at room temperature for up to 1 month.

Another delicious pecan recipe can be found on Dairy Makes Sense.com

Rice Pudding with Praline Topping

You may just go nuts for pecans too!