![A stack of English Toffee broken into delicious shards.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 2048 1366"></svg>)
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Hi Bold Bakers!
My homemade English toffee is a triple threat! Easy to make, a great edible gift around the holidays, and so absolutely delicious you may not want to give it away! It’s one of the easiest homemade candies you can make, and who doesn’t love Old Fashioned English Toffee!
Ever have a Heath bar? Or in Europe, a Daim bar? After you make this recipe, I don’t think you’ll impulse buy one of them at the checkout line at your grocery store again!
This homemade English toffee is chocolatey, nutty, and has the most amazing dark caramel at the bottom. It’s not a chewy caramel either; it has a nice crisp bite. A bit of advice: don’t be shy with that vanilla and salt. They add such an incredible flavor to this candy!
And, if you love toffee, why not try my recent Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe? If candy is what you’re after, you have to try my Apple Cider Caramels and my Homemade Caramel Candies.
What Is English Toffee?
If you’ve had a Heath or Daim bar, then you have a vague idea of what English Toffee should taste like! Toffee is a candy that is made by caramelizing sugar and butter. Then, I cover the crisp toffee with chocolate and toasted nuts! It’s incredibly addicting.
![A close up of the nuts on top of my classic English Toffee recipe.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1366 2048"></svg> "English Toffee is simple to make and even easier to give as a gift!")
What Do You Need To Make English Toffee?
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan
- Candy thermometer (optional)
How Do You Make English Toffee?
English toffee is one of the easiest and most delicious candies to make! Here is how you do it (and don’t forget to get the full recipe with measurements, on the page down below):
- Prepare a medium baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Heat over medium heat.
- Allow the butter and sugar to dissolve and then bring to a simmer. Once at a simmer, stir constantly with a whisk, so the butter and sugar don’t separate. Heat until the mixture turns dark amber. This should take around 15-20 minutes. If you are using a candy thermometer, it should be 285ºF
- Pour the toffee mixture into the prepared baking sheet. Set aside and let it harden for 20 minutes.
- Gently melt the chocolate and use a spatula to spread it thinly on top of the toffee. Sprinkle the wet chocolate with almonds and pecans.
- Refrigerate JUST to set the chocolate, about 1 hour, then remove from the fridge and break into pieces.
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making English Toffee
- You don’t want to keep the toffee in the fridge for too long, as the toffee will become damp and not crispy.
- Do NOT be shy with the salt and vanilla — they add great flavor!
- I use milk chocolate in this recipe to resemble a Daim and Heath bar, but feel free to use dark chocolate!
- For maximum flavor, be sure to toast the nuts before adding them on top of the wet chocolate?
How Do I Store English Toffee?
You can store leftover toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Make More Holiday Recipes!
And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!
Full (and printable) recipe below!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
My English Toffee recipe is a quintessential holiday candy — delicious and crunchy! It's also the perfect thing to have on-hand for a beautiful and simple gift!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 8 people
Ingredients
- 2 ½ sticks (10oz/284g) butter
- 1 ¼ cups (10oz/284g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (4 ½ oz/128g) milk chocolate
- ⅓ cup (1 ½oz/43g) toasted chopped almonds
- ⅓ cup (1 ½oz/43g) toasted chopped pecans
Instructions
Line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt.
Let the butter melt and sugar dissolve and then bring to a simmer, then cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, so the butter and sugar don't separate, until mixture turns dark amber, 15 - 20 minutes or 285ºF on a candy thermometer. Note: if your toffee is still pale at this temperature then continue to simmer until you reach the color in the video. Pour toffee mixture into the prepared baking sheet and set aside to harden for 20 minutes.
Gently melt the chocolate and using a spatula spread it thinly and evenly over the hard candy. Sprinkle the chopped almonds and pecans all over the wet chocolate.
Refrigerate to JUST set the chocolate, about 1 hour. Then remove from the fridge and break into pieces and enjoy. Store the toffee at room temperature in an airtight container. Note: Don't store the toffee for too long in the fridge as it will make the toffee damp and not as crisp.