Description

This Better Than Anything Toffee Recipe delivers a rich, buttery, and perfectly crunchy treat topped with smooth melted chocolate and crunchy nuts. The homemade toffee base is cooked to the ideal hard crack stage, creating a satisfying snap with every bite. Finished with your choice of semi-sweet or milk chocolate and a scattering of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds, this toffee is a versatile and irresistible dessert or gift-worthy confection.

Ingredients

Scale

Toffee Base

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons water

Topping

1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
½ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds

Instructions

Prepare Your Pan & Ingredients: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish or a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Measure and have all ingredients ready to ensure a smooth, quick process.
Make the Toffee Base: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter, sugar, salt, and water over medium heat while stirring constantly using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Continue cooking and stirring often until the mixture turns a deep golden brown and reaches 300°F on a candy thermometer, indicating the hard crack stage. This typically takes 10-15 minutes. Once the desired temperature and color are reached, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour & Spread: Immediately pour the hot toffee mixture into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes until it starts to firm up slightly.
Add the Chocolate: While the toffee is still warm, sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly across the surface. Let the chips sit for about 2 minutes to melt, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly over the toffee layer.
Sprinkle the Nuts: Before the chocolate hardens, sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly on top, and gently press them in to ensure they adhere well.
Let It Set & Break Into Pieces: Allow the toffee to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 2 hours, or expedite the process by chilling it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Once fully hardened, break the toffee into bite-sized pieces for serving or storing.

Notes

Use a candy thermometer for best results to ensure the toffee reaches the proper hard crack stage.
If you want a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped nuts or substitute with toasted coconut flakes.
Store toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
Be cautious when handling hot sugar mixtures to prevent burns.
The type of chocolate chips can be adjusted to your preference: dark chocolate chips offer a richer flavor while milk chocolate adds a creamier sweetness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert, Candy
Method: Stovetop cooking, setting
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 15g)
Calories: 110
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 35mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: toffee recipe, homemade toffee, chocolate toffee, nutty toffee, easy candy recipe, holiday candy, buttery toffee