The Easiest Homemade Toffee

Toffee is one of my favorite treats to make during the holidays because it is so darn easy! It’s the perfect thing to make if you are short on time and need a sweet treat for a party or to give out as a gift.

This particular recipe actually comes from the book How to Bake Everything (a great gift for the baker in your life, btw) and makes one of the best toffees I have ever had. The reason? It won’t break your teeth!

You know how some homemade toffees are so hard you practically have to suck on them? Not this toffee. It has a nice crack to it, but it definitely won’t break your teeth. It almost crumbles in your mouth.

I personally like to add a little dark chocolate to the top of my toffee and then sprinkle it with some sea salt. But you could also pour it over pecans, walnuts, peanut, hazelnuts (yum), or almonds. Or you could sprinkle them on top of the chocolate. Make it your own!

How to Make It

Start by melting together butter, sugar, salt, and water. Once the butter has melted and the mixture is boiling, add in a candy thermometer. Let the mixture continue to boil until it reaches 300 degrees.

I actually like to take it off the heat at 290 because it will continue to heat up and prevent the mixture from burning.

Then stir in the vanilla and pour into a prepared pan or baking sheet.

While the toffee is hardening, temper the chocolate.

The easiest way I know to temper chocolate is to heat about 2/3rd in the microwave until mostly melted. Then stir to get a smooth chocolate while slowly adding in unmelted chocolate.

Continue to stir those pieces in until they are completely melted in with the rest of the chocolate. It may take some time but it will ensure a nice, smooth, glossy chocolate topping. Not one that’s crumbly and chalky.

Then pour the chocolate over the toffee and spread in a nice even coating. Sprinkle sea salt, or whatever other topping you like over top while the chocolate is still melted.

Let the chocolate harden and set for at least 30 minutes, or pop it in the fridge to ensure that it’s completely hardened.

Then break into pieces!

Like I said, this makes an excellent treat, snack, or gift. I guarantee it’s a crowd favorite!

Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes

Makes about 2-3 dozen large pieces

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)

• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/3 cup water

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup (8 oz) your favorite chocolate (I prefer dark)

• 1 tbsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Add the butter, sugar, water, and salt to a saucepan and place over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and mixture starts boiling, add a a candy thermometer. Continue to boil until mixture reaches 290 to 300 degrees.

2. Remove mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour mixture into a baking sheet lines with parchment or foil and let harden for at least 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, temper chocolate so that is completely melted. Pour chocolate over toffee and spread evenly over top. Sprinkle on sea salt then let harden completely before breaking into pieces.