Christmas Toffee Recipe

Introduction

Classic Christmas Toffee is a timeless holiday treat combining buttery caramel, crunchy nuts, and rich chocolate. This easy-to-make recipe creates a delightful dessert perfect for sharing with family and friends during festive gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped pecans or almonds
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
• 1 cup butter (226 grams), cut into pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Chocolate chips (quantity as desired)
• Additional chopped pecans for garnish
• Flaked sea salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Spread 1 cup of chopped pecans evenly on the bottom of the dish to form a nutty base.
2. Step 2: In a pot over medium heat, combine the butter, granulated sugar, water, and salt. Stir frequently until the mixture melts and begins to bubble.
3. Step 3: Attach a candy thermometer to the pot and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). Remove from heat promptly once this temperature is reached.
4. Step 4: Stir in the vanilla thoroughly. Pour the hot caramel over the pecans in the baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
5. Step 5: Let the caramel cool for about 2 minutes, then sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over it. Cover with foil or a baking sheet to help the chocolate melt, about 4 minutes.
6. Step 6: Uncover and gently swirl the melted chocolate with a knife or spatula to create a pattern. Sprinkle additional chopped pecans and optionally flaked sea salt on top.
7. Step 7: Allow the toffee to cool completely, about 4 hours at room temperature or faster in the fridge.
8. Step 8: Once set, lift the toffee out using the parchment paper and cut into pieces with a sharp knife or break apart by hand. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use a candy thermometer to ensure accurate cooking temperature for perfect toffee texture.
• Substitute walnuts or hazelnuts for pecans if desired.
• For a richer flavor, use bittersweet or dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate.
• Sprinkle sea salt lightly to balance sweetness and enhance flavor complexity.

Storage

Store the toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If refrigerated, allow it to come to room temperature before serving to soften slightly. To re-crisp, you can gently warm pieces in a low oven for a few minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different nuts in this toffee?

Yes, you can replace pecans with almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts depending on your taste preference. Toasting them lightly before using adds extra flavor.

How do I know when the toffee has reached the right temperature?

Using a candy thermometer is the best way to ensure the toffee reaches 300°F, which is the hard crack stage. This guarantees the proper crunchy texture once cooled.

Christmas Toffee Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 110 reviews

Classic Christmas Toffee is a decadent holiday treat featuring a buttery caramel base studded with toasted pecans, topped with melted chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt for a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. This easy-to-make recipe involves cooking a caramel mixture to the hard crack stage, layering it over pecans, and finishing with melted chocolate and nuts for a festive and crowd-pleasing dessert.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: About 36 pieces 1x
• Category: Candy
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base and Garnish

• 1 cup chopped pecans or almonds
• Additional chopped pecans for garnish
• Flaked sea salt (optional)

Caramel Mixture

• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
• 1 cup butter (226 grams), cut into pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

• Chocolate chips (quantity as desired for topping)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Baking Dish and Pecans: Gather all ingredients including chopped pecans or almonds, sugar, vanilla, butter, salt, chocolate chips, and water. Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Spread 1 cup of chopped pecans evenly on the bottom of the dish to form the base for the toffee.
2. Make the Caramel Mixture: In a pot, combine the butter pieces, granulated sugar, water, and salt. Place over medium heat and stir frequently until the mixture melts and starts to bubble. Attach a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature, aiming for the hard crack stage at 300°F (149°C).
3. Cook the Caramel: Stir occasionally as the mixture heats, carefully watching the temperature. Once it reaches 300°F, immediately remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly.
4. Assemble the Toffee: Pour the hot caramel evenly over the chopped pecans in the prepared baking dish. Let the caramel cool slightly for about 2 minutes, then sprinkle chocolate chips generously over the warm caramel. Cover the dish with foil or a baking sheet to trap heat and allow the chocolate to melt.
5. Finish and Chill the Toffee: After approximately 4 minutes, uncover and gently swirl the melted chocolate with a knife or spatula to create a decorative pattern. Sprinkle finely chopped pecans over the chocolate, and optionally add a pinch of flaked sea salt for extra flavor. Allow the toffee to cool completely at room temperature for about 4 hours, or refrigerate to speed cooling.
6. Cut and Serve the Toffee: When set and cool to touch, lift the toffee from the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into pieces with a sharp knife or break apart by hand. Serve and enjoy your homemade classic Christmas toffee.

Notes

• Use a candy thermometer to ensure the caramel reaches the precise hard crack stage for perfect toffee texture.
• Chopped pecans or almonds can be substituted depending on preference.
• Ensure the caramel does not burn by monitoring temperature closely and stirring gently.
• For even faster cooling, place the toffee in the fridge but avoid freezing for texture preservation.
• Flaked sea salt adds a nice contrast to the sweetness but is optional based on taste.
• Store leftover toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Keywords: Christmas toffee, holiday candy, homemade toffee, buttery caramel toffee, pecan toffee, chocolate toffee