Need an edible gift that'll please everyone on your list? Look no further than toffee! This top-rated toffee recipe is beloved by the Allrecipes community because it's easy, quick, and absolutely irresistible.
What Is Toffee?
Toffee is a candy made by caramelizing sugar with butter. The mixture is heated until it reaches the hard crack stage (at least 300 degrees F), hardened, then broken into pieces.
Toffee vs. Caramel
Toffee and caramel have some similarities, but they have a few key differences. Caramel often contains milk or cream, which gives it a thicker and creamier consistency. The candies are also heated to different temperatures during the cooking process.
What Is Toffee Made Of?
Make this easy toffee with just five ingredients:
- Butter: This sweet and crunchy toffee starts with four sticks of melted butter.
- Sugar: Two cups of sugar add the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the other flavors.
- Chocolate chips: Melted semisweet chocolate chips are spread over the toffee for an extra layer of deliciousness.
- Almonds: Almonds lend welcome crunch. You can substitute walnuts or pecans, if desired.
How to Make Toffee
You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this toffee candy:
- Melt butter in a saucepan with sugar and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Cook until it's dark amber and 285 degrees F.
- Pour the toffee onto a prepared baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips onto the toffee, let soften, and spread in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the nuts over the chocolate.
- Let harden in the refrigerator. When the toffee is hard, break into pieces.
How to Store Toffee
Store homemade toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Can You Freeze Toffee?
Yes! You can freeze toffee for up to three months. Arrange the hardened toffee pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet, cover, then freeze for at least a few hours or up to overnight. When the toffee is frozen, transfer the pieces to zip-top storage bags (make sure to squeeze out the excess air) or another freezer-safe container. Wrap in foil for extra protection. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"Super simple to make," according to jstbeyondreach. "Took almost no time to put together, and was a huge crowd-pleaser. I used half light butter and half regular butter. Worked great and was super creamy."
"This is my go-to recipe for toffee," says Karen Griffiths. "I must have had 20 failures over the years, but since I have been using this recipe I have had a good batch each time. I think the trick is cooking it on medium. DON'T RUSH IT!"
"This really was very easy to make," raves Em. "It was my first attempt at toffee and I was a little nervous, but it turned out great. As tempting as it is to keep stirring it, it really does make a big difference to just let it simmer."
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
Ingredients
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2 cups unsalted butter
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2 cups white sugar
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¼ teaspoon salt
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2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
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1 cup finely chopped almonds
Directions
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Gather all ingredients.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Combine butter, sugar, and salt in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Stir constantly in one direction until butter is melted, about 5 minutes.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Meanwhile, line a 9x13-inch baking dish with a sheet of parchment paper, letting it overhang two sides of the dish.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Once the butter has melted, stop stirring and bring mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cook, stirring only 2 to 3 times, until it turns a dark amber color and the temperature reaches 285 degrees F (137 degrees C) on a candy thermometer, 20 to 30 minutes.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Immediately pour toffee into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top and let sit until they soften, 1 to 2 minutes.
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Use a spatula to spread softened chocolate into a thin, even layer.
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Sprinkle nuts over the chocolate and press down slightly; wearing a plastic bag over your hand will minimize the mess.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Place toffee in the refrigerator until set, about 1 hour. Lift hardened toffee out of the baking dish with the parchment paper.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Meredith Food Studio
Recipe Tip
You can use chopped walnuts or pecans instead of almonds if preferred.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 226 | Calories |
| 17g | Fat |
| 20g | Carbs |
| 2g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 32 | |
| Calories 226 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 17g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat 9g | 47% |
| Cholesterol 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium 101mg | 4% |
| Total Carbohydrate 20g | 7% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| Total Sugars 18g | |
| Protein 2g | 3% |
| Calcium 18mg | 1% |
| Iron 1mg | 3% |
| Potassium 74mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
