Nutty Chocolate Matzo Crunch Food

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE MATZO CANDY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray lightly with nonstick spray. Arrange the matzo crackers in a single layer on the foil, breaking them as necessary to fit. (Depending on their size, you may not need to use all of the crackers.)
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the sugar and kosher salt and bring to a full boil; the mixture should be bubbling all over, not just on the edges. Continue to boil for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally so the sugar and butter caramelize evenly. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the mixture over the top of the matzo. Using a rubber spatula, quickly spread the toffee mixture to coat the matzo. (It does not have to be perfect; the oven will even it out). Bake until the toffee is bubbling, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot toffee in an even layer. Let sit until the chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Use an offset spatula to gently spread out the chocolate, then sprinkle with the sea salt, if using. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for another hour to set completely.
• Break into pieces and serve, or store in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE COVERED MATZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; spray with cooking spray.
• Arrange matzo to fit into pan; break boards if necessary.
• Combine butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until boiling; boil for about 3 minutes.
• Pour butter mixture evenly over matzo.
• Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and immediately reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) if the matzo are smoking too much.
• Remove baking sheet from oven and sprinkle matzo with chocolate chips. Let stand to melt chocolate, 5 minutes.
• Spread the melted chocolate over matzo. Place in refrigerator until chilled and set. Break into pieces when cooled.

MY TRADEMARK, MOST REQUESTED, ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT CARAMEL MATZOH CRUNCH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large (or two smaller) cookie sheet completely with foil. Cover the bottom of the sheet with baking parchment - on top of the foil. This is very important since the mixture becomes sticky during baking.
• Line the bottom of the cookie sheet evenly with the matzohs, cutting extra pieces, as required, to fit any spaces.
• In a 3-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the butter or margarine and the brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil (about 2 to 4 minutes). Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and pour over the matzoh, covering completely.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 350°. Bake for 15 minutes, checking every few minutes to make sure the mixture is not burning (if it seems to be browning too quickly, remove the pan from the oven, lower the heat to 325°, and replace the pan).
• Remove from the oven and sprinkle immediately with the chopped chocolate or chips. Let stand for 5 minutes, then spread the melted chocolate over the matzoh. While still warm, break into squares or odd shapes. Chill, still in the pan, in the freezer until set.
• This makes a good gift.
• Variation:
• You can also use coarsely chopped white chocolate (or a combination of white and dark), and chopped or slivered toasted almonds (sprinkled on top as the chocolate sets). You can also omit the chocolate for a caramel-alone buttercrunch.

CRUNCHY CHOCOLATE MATZO BARK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange 2 oven racks in the center of the oven.
• Cover 2 baking sheets with a tight layer of aluminum foil, then place an additional sheet of foil on top. Spray the foil with nonstick spray as a precaution. Spread 2 pieces of matzo in a single layer on each of the baking sheets.
• In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring, until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves and becomes smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then shut off the heat.
• Use a large spoon to spread the brown sugar mixture over the matzo, coating the tops of all the squares. Bake until the sugar bubbles and browns, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven.
• In a double boiler or microwave, gently melt the chocolate. Let the matzo cool 10 minutes, then use a rubber spatula to gently spread the melted chocolate over the brown sugar layer.
• While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle evenly with the pumpkin seeds, apricots, sprinkles and salt, if using. Cool in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.
• Use a serrated knife to "saw" the bark into neat squares or break the matzo into pieces. I like to serve this treat from a cookie tin or a little basket to make it even more fun to eat.

CARAMEL MATZOH CRUNCH

Steps:

• Cover two rimmed baking sheets completely with foil.
• Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of each pan and place it on top of the foil.
• Line the bottom of each cookie sheet evenly with the matzo, breaking extra pieces, as required, to fit any spaces.
• In a 3-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil (about 2 to 4 minutes).
• Boil for 3 minutes (use a timer; this is important), stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and pour over the matzo, covering completely.
• Place the baking sheets in a preheated 375-degree oven and immediately reduce the heat to 350 degrees.
• Bake for 15 minutes, checking every few minutes to make sure the mixture is not burning (if it seems to be browning too quickly, remove the pan from the oven, lower the heat to 325 degrees and replace the pan).
• Remove pans from oven and sprinkle immediately with the chopped chocolate or chips.
• Let stand five minutes, then spread the melted chocolate over the matzo with an offset spatula or knife.
• While still warm, break into squares or odd shapes.
• Place pans in freezer to chill until set.
• Remove and store in airtight container for up to a week.

MATZO BUTTERCRUNCH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF.
• Line a jelly roll pan with aluminum foil; cover foil with parchment paper.
• Arrange matzo crackers in a single layer on pan, cutting them as necessary to fit; bake for 5 minutes or until crackers are lightly browned.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF.
• Combine butter and brown sugar in a small heavy saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring often.
• Cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly; pour mixture over matzo.
• Bake for 10 minutes or until the mixture bubbles.
• Sprinkle evenly with chocolate.
• Cool slightly; refrigerate 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
• Break into 36 pieces.

NUTTY CHOCOLATE CRUNCH

Steps:

• Butter and line a 20cm square tin with non-stick baking parchment. In a large bowl, combine the biscuits and nuts, halving any larger nuts. Melt the chocolate, butter and golden syrup in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth and glossy, then pour this over the biscuit and nut mixture.
• Tip the mixture into the tin, then flatten lightly - it doesn't need to be completely smooth. Chill for at least 2 hrs or overnight before cutting into squares.