Here’s a classic, buttery English Toffee recipe — crisp, rich, and topped with chocolate and nuts. It’s surprisingly simple and makes a perfect holiday treat or gift!
🍬 Traditional English Toffee
🧈 Ingredients:
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1/4 tsp salt
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
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1/2 to 1 cup chopped toasted almonds or pecans (optional)
🔥 Instructions:
1. Prep the pan
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Line a baking sheet or 9×13 pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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Lightly grease the surface with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Make the toffee
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In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine butter, sugar, and salt over medium heat.
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Stir constantly until the butter melts and the mixture begins to boil.
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Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer (hard crack stage). It will turn a deep amber color — be careful not to burn it.
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Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Pour and spread
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Immediately pour the hot toffee onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out quickly with a spatula to your desired thickness (about 1/4 inch is standard).
4. Add chocolate
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Let the toffee sit for 1–2 minutes, then sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top.
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Wait a few minutes for them to melt, then spread the chocolate in an even layer.
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Sprinkle with chopped nuts while the chocolate is still soft.
5. Cool and break
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Let the toffee cool completely at room temperature (or refrigerate to speed it up).
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Once set, break into pieces with your hands or a knife.
📝 Tips:
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Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
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For extra flair, drizzle white chocolate or sea salt on top.
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Don’t stir too much once the sugar starts boiling — it can cause graininess.
Would you like a microwave version, a dairy-free adaptation, or a gift tag idea to go with it?