The Halloween candy has arrived and it’s taking every ounce of willpower I have to avoid the trick-or-treat bowl as much as possible. The obvious response, of course, is to make your own candy. Right? Thought so.
I’ve always been a Heath Bar lover. That’s what I always get on ice cream, and Heath Bars were one of my favorite treats in my Halloween basket as a kid. I’ve been putting off making my own because candy-making is intimidating. You have to have patience and a candy thermometer, and I never seem to have both at the same time.
But when I dreamed up a pumpkin spice toffee, I knew I needed to make it happen. After trying a couple different ways, I landed on this Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Toffee Bark recipe. Let me tell you: It has toffee, it has pumpkin spice, it has roasted pumpkin seeds. It even has sesame seeds, dark chocolate and sea salt. Everyone knows this is what fall tastes like.
If you make this without a candy thermometer (which I totally did — score one for patience) you can use the water test. You’ll want to reach the hard-crack stage, around
300° F to 310° F. (The first time I made it, I didn’t cook the toffee long enough and had really soft, almost fudgy toffee. Learn from my mistake and use either the thermometer or the water test!)
Once you have your candy base, you can stir in vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Spread it over roasted pumpkin seeds, and sprinkle more on top. Also add sesame seeds, dust with sea salt and drizzle on dark chocolate. Pop it in the fridge for a bit, and you’ve got a glorious tray of hardened pumpkin seed toffee candy.
Today’s post is part of a giant virtual pumpkin party that’s taking over the Internet. If you love pumpkin even a tiny bit, there’s a recipe for you here. You really really do not want to miss any of these, so scroll to the end of this post for the full list of pumpkin goodness! Enjoy! // susannah
Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Toffee Bark
ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- dash sea salt or kosher salt
- 2 ounces dark chocolate melted
instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread pumpkin seeds on baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway through, until lightly browned. Set aside. Once cooled, reserve 1/4 of the the pumpkin seeds.
- Clip a candy thermometer, if using, to a large sauce pan, about 1/2" away from the bottom of the pan. Grease lightly with cooking spray.
- In a large saucepan, combine butter, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking often. Reduce heat if necessary. Cook approximately 12-15 minutes or until the mixture is golden. (If using a candy thermometer, remove from heat when the mixture is 300° F.
- Stir in the vanilla and pumpkin pie spice until well blended. Pour and spread over nuts. Let cool 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle on remaining pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sea salt. Drizzle with melted dark chocolate. Refrigerate until set. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
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nutrition information
amount per serving:
And OMG you guys. These pumpkin recipes! Get after them. Huge ups to Sara at Cake Over Steak for coordinating this fun blog get-together.
B. Britnell • Pumpkin & Goat Cheese Macaroni
A Couple Cooks • Pumpkin Spice Almond Butter
I Am a Food Blog • Roasted Pumpkin and Pork Stuffed Shells
Well and Full • Harissa-Spiced Pumpkin Gnocchi
Loves Food, Loves to Eat • Pumpkin Pork Burrito Bowls
Girl Versus Dough • Pumpkin Challah
Snixy Kitchen • Black Sesame Pumpkin Mochi Cake
Hungry Girl por Vida • Pumpkin Chocolate Crumb Cake
Donuts, Dresses and Dirt • Pumpkin Spice Latte Truffles
Two Red Bowls • Pumpkin & Caramelized Onion Galette
The Frosted Vegan • Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Gingersnaps
Warm Vanilla Sugar • Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Ice Cream + Affogato
An Edible Mosaic • Pumpkin Spice Latte Snack Cake with Brown Butter Buttercream
Kitchen Konfidence • Yeasted Pumpkin Waffles with Candied Ginger
Chocolate + Marrow • Pumpkin Scones with Cinnamon Butter Swirl
The Pig & Quill • Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes with Pumpkin Spice Caramel + Coconut Cream
Salt & Wind • Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Muffins with Pepita Streusel
With Food + Love • Creamy Pumpkin Polenta with Balsamic Roasted Beets
A Cookie Named Desire • Pumpkin Crepes with Cinnamon Ginger Cheesecake
Nommable • Pumpkin Moon Pies
Feed Me Phoebe • Thai Pumpkin Curry with Shrimp and Bok Choy
The Yellow Table • Coconut-Curry Pumpkin Soup
Ginger & Toasted Sesame • Pumpkin Ricotta Gnudi
The Crepes of Wrath • Pumpkin Pie Cake
The Swirling Spoon • Pumpkin Hand Pies
Erin Made This • Pumpkin Rye Waffles with Coconut Caramel
Beard and Bonnet • Pumpkin Spice Pizzelle Ice Cream Sandwiches
My Name is Yeh • Pumpkin Slice and Bake Cookies
Earthy Feast • Pumpkin-Stuffed Turnip-Ravioli with Pepita Pesto
Broma Bakery • Pumpkin Pie White Chocolate Brownies
Floating Kitchen • Pumpkin Beertail with Tequila and Spiced Rum
The Sugar Hit • Pumpkin Everything Bagels
The Bojon Gourmet • Pumpkin Flatbread with Gruyére and Crispy Sage (gluten-free)
Sprinkled with Jules • Pumpkin Spice French Macarons
Feast + West • Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Toffee Bark
Jojotastic • Pumpkin Cinnamon Rimming Sugar
Fix Feast Flair • Pumpkin Spice Japanese Cheesecake
Appeasing a Food Geek • Pumpkin Ale Cake
Tending the Table • Roasted Pumpkin with Tamarind and Coriander Chutney
Long Distance Baking • Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream + Pumpkin Pancakes
My Blue & White Kitchen • Roasted Pumpkin Risotto with Crispy Prosciutto
Fork Vs. Spoon • Pumpkin Buttermilk Pudding
Alyssa & Carla • Pumpkin Tea Bread (in a Coffee Can!)
Twin Stripe • Pumpkin Spice Toffee
Le Jus d’Orange • Lentil-Stuffed Acorn Squash, Crispy King Oyster Bacon + Aged Goat Cheese
The Scratch Artist • Japanese Pumpkin Temaki with Ginger Kale Chips
Brewing Happiness • Caramelized Apple Pumpkin Muffins
Blogging Over Thyme • Homemade Candied Pecan Pumpkin Ice Cream Drumsticks
Heartbeet Kitchen • Pumpkin Swirled Mashed Potatoes
The Speckled Palate • Pumpkin Brown Butter Streusel Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt • Pumpkin Gingersnap Pie
Style Sweet CA • Chocolate Stout and Pumpkin Checkerboard Cake
Fork to Belly • Pumpkin Orange Brulee Pie
Tasty Yummies • Grain-Free Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Påte á Chew • Pumpkin Almond Cake with Almond Butter Frosting
Holly & Flora • Pumpkin Pie Martini with Coconut Cream + Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Southern Soufflé • Sorghum Pumpkin Soufflés
Okie Dokie Artichokie • Creamy Pumpkin and Chorizo Pasta Bake, Cheese Tortellini, Sage-Mascarpone Sauce, Toasted Hazelnuts
Kale & Caramel • Pumpkin Goat Cheese Polenta with Brown Butter Thyme Mushrooms & Kale
The Little Epicurean • Maple Pumpkin Butter Brioche Toast
Vigor and Sage • Maple Pumpkin Harvest Smoothie
Tried and Tasty • Whole Wheat Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Sprouted Routes • Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Risotto with Sweet & Spicy Roasted Pepitas (gluten free)
The Fauxmartha • Baked Pumpkin Donuts
So… Let’s Hang Out • Grain-Free Apple Crumble Pumpkin Pie
Wit & Vinegar • Pumpkin Flaxseed Dog Treats
Dunk & Crumble • Pumpkin Roundup
Biscuits and Such • Pumpkin Pound Cake
SugarHero! • Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Pound Cake
A Little Saffron • Spiced Pepita Brittle
Farmette • “Tis Different” Pumpkin Pie
Iida-Emilia says
Wow, this looks delicious! I love everything that has pumpkin on it but unfortunately they don’t sell pumpkin spiced stuff here in Finland. That’s why I need to make my own pumpkin treats and I’m definitely trying this toffee 😀
Katrina says
Mmm love the way this sounds!! So tasty!
Amber | Loves Food, Loves to Eat says
Love this!! Looks so good! Happy pumpkin day!
Kathryn @ The Scratch Artist says
HEATH BAR! Why have I not thought of this in like a year! Heath bar crunch ice cream was all I ate in college (well, all I wanted to eat anyway). This pumpkin toffee bark looks amazing and I agree that it is the perfect solution to not eating Halloween candy (It’s one of those solutions that you shouldn’t think too hard about and just go with it…haha). I’m busy working my way though all of the amazing pumpkin recipes. Everyone did such an amazing job from savory, to sweet, to the amazing drinks. I’m happy Sara brought us all together! Nice to meet you and your beautiful blog.
Erika says
Yum! I’ve been thinking about making some kind of holiday bark this year. This looks awesome! And now I have enough pumpkin spice recipes to last me for the next ten years… ha ha!
Sara @ Cake Over Steak says
This sounds so good! Candy is such a specific art form, so props to you for nailing this one. Thanks for joining in on the party!
Susannah says
Thank you, Sara! Candy is super difficult, but I am so glad I tried it! Thanks again for hosting!
Jill Roberts @ Wellness Geeky says
Wow! This dark chocolate pumpkin seed toffee bark recipe is incredible! I’m seriously so inspired right now. I need to add cinnamon to recipe and it would be perfect. Thx for sharing Susannah!
Susannah says
Thanks so much, Jill! I bet cinnamon would be PERFECT in this. I hope you enjoy it!
Bella Hardy says
Gorgeous pictures. I made these dark chocolate pumpkin seed toffee barks for the super bowl party and it was a crowd favorite. I’m also gonna pin this post on my Pinterest board my followers will love it. Thanks for sharing, Susannah!
Kara Mathys @Wellnessgrit says
That dark chocolate pumpkin seed toffee barks looks absolutely fantastic. Beautiful photos, too. I look forward to trying this.
Kara Mathys @Wellnessgrit says
That dark chocolate pumpkin seed toffee barks looks absolutely fantastic. Beautiful photos, too. I look forward to trying this.
Susannah says
Thank you so much, Kara! I hope you enjoy it!
Julia Stearns says
These dark chocolate pumpkin seed toffee bark are stunning. I’m not a talented baker, but I would love to give these a try!
Julia Stearns says
These dark chocolate pumpkin seed toffee bark are stunning. I’m not a talented baker, but I would love to give these a try!
Veronica says
This dark chocolate toffee is rich in flavor and a great way to welcome the autumn season.
Rosamonde Simone @ KetoBotyToneAvis says
My kids love chocolates, and I am going to make your recipe dark-chocolate-pumpkin-seed-toffee-bark for them. Thank you
Rimmy says
his is absolutely amazing!! My kids will surely love this!
Rimmy says
his is absolutely amazing!! My kids will surely love this!
Richard Tunner says
I JUST bought some pumpkin seeds! So excited for this recipe!
Susan Dubose says
What a great snack! Love pumpkin seeds and I am pretty sure I have them in the house right now!
Richard Tunner says
I JUST bought some pumpkin seeds! So excited for this recipe!
Morgan @ Gowell Health Tips says
Great post. It should make for an interesting dessert.
Anthony Allen says
Chocolatese makes everything better. This sweet and salty combo is perfect.
Anthony Allen says
Chocolatese makes everything better. This sweet and salty combo is perfect.
Whits@amusebouche says
I am obsessed with this chocolate pumpkin bark! A perfect snack in my book!
Whits@amusebouche says
I am obsessed with this chocolate pumpkin bark! A perfect snack in my book!
Susannah says
I’m so glad you think so!
Sophie Anderson says
Yum. These look so good.
Sophie Anderson says
Yum. These look so good.
Susannah says
So glad you think so!
Malissa says
YUM!! Love the sweet and salty combo!
Malissa says
YUM!! Love the sweet and salty combo!
Sophie Anderson says
Hi I just made these yummy chocolate barks for Christmas. Love it. But it melts so fast in our climate.
Beks says
I love everything about this bark! Im a huge dark chocolate lover and I can see myself eating a piece of this for an afternoon dessert everyday!
Lori says
OMG, I cannot stop drooling over this! I love that this is like the best version of trail mix (all those lovely toppings) on dark chocolate. You are a lady after my own soul.
Sophie Anderson says
Hi I just made these yummy chocolate barks for Christmas. Love it. But it melts so fast in our climate.
Beks says
I love everything about this bark! Im a huge dark chocolate lover and I can see myself eating a piece of this for an afternoon dessert everyday!
Susannah says
So glad you like it, Beks! Thanks so much for stopping by to leave a comment.
Lori says
OMG, I cannot stop drooling over this! I love that this is like the best version of trail mix (all those lovely toppings) on dark chocolate. You are a lady after my own soul.
Susannah says
This made me laugh! So glad you like this toffee bark, Lori!
Mona J Yoder says
I wanted to thank you for this great blog! I really enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Susannah says
Thank you so much Mona!
Fitoru Keto says
I’m planning on trying this tomorrow. I’m so excited! Thanks for sharing!
A. ESU says
My kids will surely love this!
Susannah says
Hope they enjoy it, A!