Symphony Brownies (Chocolate Toffee Brownies Recipe)

Our recipe for Symphony Brownies is a family favorite in our home. These thick and gooey toffee brownies combine rich dark chocolate, a hidden layer of Hershey’s Symphony candy bars, and a fudgy texture to create something truly special that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or any time you need an impressive dessert. The best part? It only takes about 40 minutes to make from start to finish!

Why I Love This Recipe

I first tried making these Symphony Brownies when my niece brought them to a family get-together. Everyone kept asking what made them so special, and when we found out about the secret candy bar layer in the middle, we were hooked!

What makes this recipe so special is the whole layer of Symphony candy bars hidden inside. While other toffee brownie recipes chop up the candy and mix it in, I keep the bars whole so every single bite has that amazing toffee and almond crunch.

The Symphony bars melt slightly during baking, creating little pockets of buttery, crunchy sweetness throughout the brownies. Even people who say they’re “not dessert people” ask for seconds!

Key Ingredient Notes

While you’ll find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below, I wanted to highlight a few important ingredients:

• Brownie Mix: I prefer dark chocolate or fudge brownie mix for these Symphony Brownies because it gives a richer flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet toffee. Any brand works great! If you want to use a homemade brownie recipe instead, that’s totally fine too.
• Hershey’s Symphony Bars with Toffee and Almonds: This is the star of the show! Symphony bars are chocolate bars with crunchy toffee bits and almond pieces mixed throughout. You’ll need enough bars to cover the bottom of your pan in a single layer – about 3 large bars, depending on your pan size. You can find Symphony bars at most grocery stores near the regular candy bars, or order them online. If you can’t find Symphony bars, Heath bars work as a great substitute for these toffee brownies!
• Eggs, Oil, and Water: Follow whatever your brownie mix box calls for. These help make the brownies extra fudgy and moist.
• Baking Pan Choice: I use an 11×7 inch baking dish to make these Symphony Brownies extra thick and gooey. If you prefer thinner brownies or need more servings, use a 9×13 inch pan. Either way works perfectly!

Pro Tips for Making Perfect Symphony Brownies

Before you head to the recipe card, here are some helpful tips I’ve learned from making this dish many times:

• Don’t Chop the Candy Bars: Keep those Symphony bars whole! Lay them out in a single layer on top of the first brownie layer. This way, every person gets a perfect piece with toffee running through it. This is what sets these apart from regular toffee brownies.
• Use a Glass Baking Dish: Glass or ceramic pans work best for brownies because they heat evenly and give you those perfectly cooked edges without burning the bottom.
• Let Them Cool Completely: I know it’s hard to wait, but these Symphony Brownies need at least 30 minutes to cool before cutting. The candy stays melty and gooey when warm, which makes them harder to cut into neat squares. Trust me, the wait is worth it!
• Line Your Pan with Foil or Parchment: This makes cleanup so much easier! Leave some overhang on the sides, and you can lift the whole brownie slab right out of the pan before cutting. No scraping or struggling with corner pieces.
• Check for Doneness Carefully: Because there’s a melty candy layer in the middle, the toothpick test can be tricky. Insert it near the edge rather than the center. It should come out with just a few moist crumbs.

Serving Suggestions

To serve, simply cut into squares and arrange on a platter. For parties, I cut them into smaller 2-inch squares so people can grab one easily. For family dessert, bigger 3-inch squares are perfect!

I’ve never had anyone who didn’t ask for the recipe when I bring these somewhere. They’re impressive without being complicated, and that’s the kind of recipe I want in my collection!

Storage and Leftovers

These Symphony Brownies will keep well in the fridge for 5-7 days stored in an airtight container. To be honest, they never last that long in my house! To reheat, simply microwave individual pieces for 10-15 seconds to get that warm, gooey texture back.

If you want to prep ahead, you can make these toffee brownies a full day or two before your event. Just keep them covered at room temperature or in the fridge. They actually taste even better the next day once all the flavors have had time to blend together!

This recipe also freezes well. Wrap individual brownies in plastic wrap, then place them all in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. To thaw, just leave them at room temperature for about an hour, or microwave for 20-30 seconds.

Variations to Try

• Heath Bar Brownies: Can’t find Symphony bars? Use Heath bars instead to make classic toffee brownies with that buttery toffee flavor.
• Double Chocolate Symphony Brownies: Add a handful of chocolate chips to the top layer of brownie batter before baking to make them even more chocolatey.
• Salted Caramel Symphony Brownies: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the cooled brownies and sprinkle with a tiny pinch of sea salt for an extra special touch.
• Peanut Butter Symphony Brownies: Use peanut butter brownie mix as your base for a peanut butter and toffee combo that’s out of this world!
• Gluten-Free Symphony Brownies: Simply use a gluten-free brownie mix instead of regular mix. Everything else stays the same!

More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love:

• Pecan Pie Brownie Bars
• Chocolate Trifle Dessert
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies
• Make Ahead Chocolate Eclair Dessert
• Chocolate Coffee Cake

Frequently Asked Questions About Symphony Brownies

What are Symphony bars?
Hershey’s Symphony bars are milk chocolate candy bars with pieces of toffee and almonds mixed throughout. They have a smooth, creamy chocolate flavor with a satisfying crunch from the toffee bits. They’re perfect for these toffee brownies!

Can I use homemade brownies instead of a mix?
Absolutely! Any brownie recipe you love will work for these Symphony Brownies. Just make half the batter, spread it in the pan, add the candy bars, then top with the remaining batter.

What if I can’t find Symphony bars?
If you can’t find Symphony bars at your local store, Heath bars are the best substitute for making toffee brownies. Skor bars also work great! Any chocolate-covered toffee candy will give you that delicious crunch.

Can I add extra toppings?
Yes! Some people love sprinkling extra chopped Symphony or Heath bars on top before baking. You can also add crushed pretzels for a sweet-and-salty version of these toffee brownies.

Do Symphony Brownies need to be refrigerated?
Not necessarily. They’ll keep at room temperature for 2-3 days if covered. I prefer storing them in the fridge because the toffee layer stays a bit firmer and they’re easier to cut into clean squares.

Can I make these nut-free?
Since Symphony bars contain almonds, you’ll want to use plain Heath bars instead if you need nut-free toffee brownies. Always check the labels to be safe!

Are You Ready To Bake?

Have you tried this recipe yet? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment below and rate this recipe with 5 stars if you loved it. Did you try any variations? Share your tips with other bakers in the comments. And don’t forget to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @hostessatheart or use #hostessatheart so I can see your beautiful brownies!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!

Originally published: March 18, 2016. Updated: October 31, 2025 – Enhanced with more detailed instructions, tips, and serving suggestions. No changes were made to the recipe.