This Old Fashioned Toffee Recipe yields a rich, buttery, and crunchy confection that’s perfect for the holidays. This classic English candy, made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, and almonds, has stood the test of time for a reason. With a few simple steps, you can create a homemade treat that will impress your friends and family.
The Secret to Perfect Toffee: High-Quality Butter
The key to truly exceptional toffee lies in the quality of the butter. European-style butter, with its lower water content, results in a crispier and more flavorful toffee. Plugrá butter, a popular European-style butter, is highly recommended for this recipe. Using high-quality butter ensures a rich and decadent final product.
Why This Old Fashioned Toffee Recipe is a Winner
This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner candy makers. The toffee keeps well for up to two weeks when stored properly, making it a great gift for the holidays. The irregular shapes and sizes of the broken toffee pieces add to its rustic charm.
Equipment You’ll Need
- 11×18 inch rimmed baking sheet
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Candy thermometer
- Offset spatula (optional)
Ingredients for Old Fashioned English Butter Toffee
- 1 pound salted European-style butter (Plugrá recommended)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups chopped almonds
- 1 1/2 bags (18 ounces) milk or dark chocolate chips, or 3 large chocolate bars
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare the Baking Sheet: Grease an 11×18 inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
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Arrange the Almonds: Spread 2 cups of chopped almonds evenly over the prepared baking sheet. Set aside the remaining 1/2 cup of almonds.
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Cook the Toffee Mixture: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the butter, water, and sugar. Stir constantly until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer. The color will change from pale yellow to golden brown.
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Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Be careful, as the mixture may splatter.
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Pour onto Baking Sheet: Pour the toffee mixture over the almonds on the baking sheet, spreading it evenly.
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Add Chocolate and Almonds: Sprinkle the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars over the hot toffee. Let them melt for about 5 minutes, then spread evenly with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of chopped almonds over the melted chocolate.
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Cool and Break: Let the toffee cool completely at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Once cooled, break the toffee into irregular pieces.
Tips for Success
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Use a Candy Thermometer: A candy thermometer is crucial for achieving the correct temperature and ensuring a crunchy toffee.
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Avoid Humid Days: Humidity can affect the texture of the toffee, making it chewy instead of crunchy.
Serving Suggestions
This old fashioned toffee is delicious on its own or paired with coffee or tea. It also makes a wonderful homemade gift for the holidays.
