Toffee is one of our family’s favorite homemade candy recipes. We love to wrap it up as gifts for neighbors, teachers, and friends. It’s also a great addition to your holiday cookie platter along with Sugar Cookies, classic Gingerbread Cookies, and don’t forget the Candied Pecans. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
What is Toffee?
Toffee candy is a sweet confection made by slowly heating butter and sugar to the hard crack stage, about 300 degrees. English toffee is traditionally made with brown sugar for a darker color and deep caramel flavor (think SKOR bars), while in America, it’s often called buttercrunch candy and is made with white sugar and topped with a layer of melted chocolate and nuts. Think Heath bars or Almond Roca. These days, the two names are used interchangeably, because when it’s this buttery and delicious, what’s in a name anyway? Here’s why you’ll love it:
So Tasty – Amazing buttery, chocolatey flavor, and perfect crunch Easy – with step-by-step directions Foolproof – we included tips to ensure success Homemade gift idea – Impressive enough to give as gifts Keeps well – Can last a long time on the counter—but only if it doesn’t get eaten first.
Homemade Toffee Video
Watch Natasha make this easy toffee recipe to learn her foolproof technique. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients for English Toffee
With only 5 main ingredients, this toffee recipe is easy to make.
Almonds – toasted (use store-bought or see our Pro-tip on toasting your own nuts below) and chopped, you can substitute with any kind of nut. You can also omit nuts if needed. Sugar – this recipe uses white sugar for the light caramel color, crunch, and flavor. Butter – we use unsalted butter to control the sodium Vanilla extract – use homemade vanilla or storebought to add flavor, but it can be omitted if needed. Salt – sea salt balances the butter and sugar perfectly Chocolate chips – we use semi-sweet chocolate, but you can use milk chocolate for a sweeter candy or bitter-sweet for less sweet. You can also use chopped chocolate.
How to Make Toffee
The secret to making toffee is low, consistent heat to avoid breaking the candy, so fight the temptation to speed up the process, it will be well worth your patience! Also, a clip-on thermometer takes all the guesswork out of it.
Nuts: Swap the almonds for pecans, walnuts, cashews, or pistachios (or a mix of nuts) Chocolate: Use white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips instead of regular chocolate or use a combination and swirl the chocolates when spreading Add toppings: you can make them festive by adding sprinkles, or try toffee bits, flaked salt, or candy cane pieces
Prep the ingredients before beginning because once the butter and sugar get to temperature, you have to move quickly – grease and line a 9″x12″ or 9”x9” baking dish. Toast the nuts: Heat whole almonds over medium heat in a skillet for 5-7 minutes. They can burn easily, so stir every 30 seconds and don’t walk away. Or roast the nuts on a baking sheet at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Chop the toasted almonds and spread half of them over the prepared baking dish. Mix butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a heavy-bottomed, 3-4 quart saucepan (the bottom of the pot is thicker than the sides). Heat over medium heat while stirring with a wooden spoon until it comes to a boil. Then slowly stir continuously for about 8-10 more minutes until the mixture gets to the hard crack stage (300-310 degrees) and resembles the color of peanut butter or caramel. Careful it’s hot! Pour the toffee immediately onto the nuts on the parchment-lined pan, and then tilt the pan to spread the toffee over the nuts. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot candy and let it melt for 2 minutes until glistening. Then use an offset spatula to spread the chocolate evenly over the candy. Sprinkle on the remaining nuts (or other toppings) and lightly push them down to stick.
Let the toffee cool completely until the chocolate is set and hard, which takes at least two hours. Use a knife to cut toffee into various-sized pieces or use your hands to break up the toffee. Your toffee is ready to serve and enjoy. This buttery, crunchy homemade toffee recipe is the perfect holiday candy that’s easy and fun to make. It stores well and is perfect for a dessert table or to give as a gift. Whip some up today!
To Store: layer between parchment or wax paper in an airtight container on the counter for 7-10 days To Refrigerate: store the container in the fridge for 2 weeks Freezing: Freeze the container for 3 months To Thaw: set in the refrigerator overnight
More Homemade Candy and Treats
After you make this easy toffee recipe, check out these other great holiday dessert recipes you’re sure to love:
Pecan Pie Bars Caramel Apples Russian Tea Cakes Cranberry Cookies Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Chocolate Chip Cookies Cream Cheese Mints
