Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Better Than Anything Toffee combines all the best textures and flavors: buttery, crunchy toffee, creamy chocolate, and nutty goodness. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and salty with an irresistible crunch. The best part is that it’s incredibly easy to make, yet impressive enough for gifting or parties. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop snacking on it!
Ingredients:
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Toffee:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Topping:
- 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds
Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Pan & Ingredients
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish or a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Make sure all your ingredients are measured and ready to go, as the process moves quickly!
2. Make the Toffee Base
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter, sugar, salt, and water over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
- Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture reaches a deep golden brown color and hits 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Once the toffee reaches the correct temperature, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Pour & Spread
- Immediately pour the toffee mixture onto your prepared baking sheet and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes, just until it begins to firm up slightly.
4. Add the Chocolate
- While the toffee is still warm, sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top.
- Let the chocolate chips sit for about 2 minutes to melt, then spread the melted chocolate evenly with a spatula.
5. Sprinkle the Nuts
- While the chocolate is still melted, sprinkle the chopped nuts over the top. Gently press them in to ensure they stick.
6. Let It Set & Break Into Pieces
- Allow the toffee to cool at room temperature for about 2 hours, or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to speed up the process.
- Once the toffee has hardened, break it into bite-sized pieces and enjoy!
Storage & Tips:
- Storage: Keep the toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or refrigerate for up to a month.
- Gift Idea: Package the toffee in decorative bags for a homemade gift that’s sure to impress!
- Nut-Free Version: Skip the nuts, or use toffee bits or sea salt for a unique twist.
- Chocolate Variations: Experiment with different chocolates, such as white chocolate, dark chocolate, or a combination of both for a fun flavor variety.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes (plus setting time)
- Yield: 16-18 servings (depending on how large you break the pieces)
FAQs
1. Can I make this toffee in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the toffee ahead of time and store it in an airtight container. It will keep fresh for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.
2. What can I use instead of nuts?
If you don’t want to use nuts, you can substitute with toffee bits or sprinkle some sea salt over the melted chocolate for a sweet and salty twist.
3. Can I use different types of chocolate?
Yes! You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate. You can also combine different types of chocolate for an interesting flavor profile.
4. How do I know when the toffee has reached the hard crack stage?
The hard crack stage is when the toffee mixture reaches 300°F on a candy thermometer. At this temperature, the toffee will harden when cooled.
5. How long should I let the toffee cool before breaking it into pieces?
Let the toffee cool for about 2 hours at room temperature. If you’re in a hurry, you can refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
6. Can I make this toffee with margarine instead of butter?
While butter gives the toffee the best flavor, you can use margarine as a substitute if necessary. However, the texture and taste might vary slightly.
7. How do I prevent the toffee from being too soft?
Make sure the toffee reaches the 300°F mark on the candy thermometer. If it’s not cooked to the hard crack stage, the toffee may remain too soft.
8. Can I use a different kind of nut?
Yes, feel free to use walnuts, almonds, or any nut you prefer, depending on your taste.
9. How should I store leftover toffee?
Store the leftover toffee in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate it for longer shelf life.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe, but be sure to use a larger baking sheet or casserole dish. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly if making a larger batch.
Conclusion
This Better Than Anything Toffee is an irresistible treat with a perfect combination of crunchy toffee, creamy chocolate, and nuts. It’s quick to make, requires only a few ingredients, and is a great option for gift-giving or indulging in a sweet craving. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply treating yourself, this toffee will always be a crowd favorite! Enjoy!
Better Than Anything Toffee Recipe
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes (plus setting time)
- Yield: 16-18 servings
Description
Better Than Anything Toffee is a delicious, buttery treat with caramelized toffee, smooth chocolate, and crunchy nuts. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, this toffee is sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons water
1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
½ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter, sugar, salt, and water over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture reaches a deep golden brown and 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Immediately pour the toffee mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes until it begins to firm up slightly.
- While the toffee is still warm, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. Let the chocolate melt for about 2 minutes, then spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the melted chocolate, gently pressing them in to ensure they stick.
- Allow the toffee to cool at room temperature for about 2 hours or refrigerate for 30 minutes to speed up the process. Once cooled and set, break the toffee into bite-sized pieces.
Notes
Store the toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or refrigerate for up to a month.
If you don’t want to use nuts, you can substitute with toffee bits or sprinkle sea salt over the chocolate for a different flavor.
You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or a combination for the topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop & Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
