‘Tis the season for indulgence! I call these Kathy’s Easy Toffee Squares because the recipe came from my friend Kathy who shares these treats anytime of the year.

These Toffee Squares have a crispy bottom layer, a luscious caramel middle and a crunchy chocolate topping. Any treat that has three layers seems a little special to me and that’s why they made it onto my list of holiday favourites. They’re also perfect for gift giving because they keep well, travel well and are delicious. Any normal person would appreciate these as a gift.

If that checks off a lot of boxes for you then give these Toffee Squares a try. Who knows, they might just make it to your list of annual holiday treats.

Making Holiday Favourites Gluten Free

Brown rice flour is excellent for cookies and squares so it was my first choice when I wanted to make this recipe gluten free. I simply substituted brown rice flour for regular wheat flour and it worked perfectly. I’m sure most gluten free flour blends would work in this recipe too. Once I find a flour that works, especially in a once-a-year recipe, I usually quit experimenting.

If you’ve got people to eat an endless supply of treats then feel free to continue experimenting.

The only other change was the cereal and in Canada we can buy brand name gluten free Rice Krispies. If you can’t find them there are other brands of crispy rice cereal so it’s an easy switch.

The Magic Ingredient for Toffee Squares

The magic ingredient in these Toffee Squares is sweetened condensed milk. I have several recipes that use it and I only buy it for holiday baking. It’s some concoction of sugar and milk so it’s always been gluten free.

Sweetened condensed milk does some kind of magic trick in baking and that’s what makes these gooey Toffee Squares irrisistible. I’m not the only one that thinks it’s a magic ingredient, they put those words right on the label!

Holiday Baking and Kids In the Kitchen

In the kitchen kids can be enthusiastic, creative and inquisitive, especially if they got to pick what they’re making. They have fun creating what they get to eat and create memories of good times in the kitchen.

Making certain recipes only once-a-year makes them feel special. When your kids are old enough get them to start their own list of favourite holiday treats. Add new recipes every year to create a holiday collection you love.

Get The Tools

Kitchen Tip – Plan to cut this sweet dessert into small squares (you can always eat more than one piece). I tried to make these squares slightly thinner by using a larger pan. It failed so just use the 8-inch square pan called for in the recipe and they’ll be perfect.

• two 8-inch square baking pans
• parchment paper

Let me know in the comments below if you made these or if you have a story about making a gluten free version of an old holiday favourite.

Originally posted December 2015, updated December 2021.

More Recipes – Holiday Baking

Check out my Recipe Round Up of Holiday Baking and see if you find something exciting to try.