Better Than Anything Toffee Recipe (2024)

Table of Contents

A Toffee Lover’s Dream The Key Ingredients Crafting “Better Than Anything” Toffee Tips and Variations FAQ Perfect Occasions to Enjoy FAQs References

Indulging your sweet tooth has never been more delightful than with this “Better Than Anything” Toffee recipe. It’s a mouthwatering treat that balances rich, buttery toffee with sweet chocolate and crunchy nuts. If you’re a fan of irresistible, homemade confections, you’re in for a treat. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps to create this heavenly toffee, provide some useful tips, and suggest perfect occasions for enjoying this delectable dessert.

A Toffee Lover’s Dream

This “Better Than Anything” Toffee recipe is perfect for those who appreciate the sublime blend of sweet and savory. The toffee layer is rich and buttery, while the semi-sweet chocolate chips add a perfect touch of sweetness. Chopped pecans or almonds provide a delightful crunch, and toffee bits give this treat a unique, caramelized flavor. It’s a dessert that’s sure to impress your taste buds and your guests.

The Key Ingredients

To make this scrumptious toffee, gather the following ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter: The foundation of the toffee, butter adds a rich and creamy flavor.
1 cup granulated sugar: This provides the sweetness and caramelization necessary to create the toffee’s signature taste.
1/4 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor, balancing the sweetness.
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds depth and aroma to the toffee.
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: These are used to create the sweet chocolate layer that complements the toffee.
1/2 cup chopped pecans or almonds: The nuts add a satisfying crunch and a nutty flavor to the toffee.
1/4 cup toffee bits (Heath or similar): More toffee bits contribute to the indulgent toffee flavor and texture.

Crafting “Better Than Anything” Toffee

Follow these simple steps to create this delectable treat:

Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside. This will prevent the toffee from sticking.
Cook the Butter and Sugar: In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and salt, continuing to stir constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly and cook for about 10-12 minutes or until it turns a golden brown color. Stir continuously to prevent burning.
Add Vanilla Extract: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Be cautious as it may bubble up when the vanilla is added. Keep stirring until it’s well combined.
Pour onto Baking Sheet: Pour the toffee mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly. Work quickly because it will start to harden.
Add Chocolate Chips: Immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot toffee. Let them sit for a minute to soften, then spread the melted chocolate evenly over the toffee with a spatula.
Add Toppings: Sprinkle the chopped pecans or almonds and toffee bits over the melted chocolate, gently pressing them in with the back of a spatula.
Cool and Set: Allow the toffee to cool for about 2-3 hours at room temperature or until it hardens.
Break into Pieces: Once the toffee has set, use your hands or the back of a knife to break it into bite-sized pieces.
Serve: Your homemade “Better Than Anything” toffee is now ready to be enjoyed. It’s a delightful treat for any occasion.

Tips and Variations

Top it with sea salt: For a trendy twist, sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt over the melted chocolate before adding the nuts and toffee bits.
Use dark chocolate: If you prefer a richer, less sweet flavor, try using dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
Gift it: This toffee makes for a wonderful homemade gift. Package it in a decorative tin or box and share the sweetness with friends and family.

FAQ

Q1: Can I make this toffee in advance?
A1: Absolutely! Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Q2: Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
A2: You can, but it will make the toffee much sweeter. If you have a strong sweet tooth, go for it!

Q3: Can I freeze the toffee?
A3: While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Perfect Occasions to Enjoy

Holiday Treat: “Better Than Anything” Toffee makes a fabulous addition to your holiday dessert spread. It’s great for gifting too!
Dinner Party Delight: Impress your dinner guests with a plate of this homemade toffee after a delicious meal.
Movie Night Munch: Snuggle up with a bowl of this toffee while enjoying your favorite movie. It’s the ultimate movie night treat.

FAQs

What is the difference between British toffee and American toffee? ›

In America we call most toffee, English Toffee. What's the difference between English and American toffee? The main difference is that traditional English toffee is created without nuts, while American toffee is created with a variety of nuts. The most common nuts being the almond.

Why is my toffee chewy instead of crunchy? ›

Don't hurry this gradual transformation; syrup that doesn't reach 300°F, or close to it, will make candy with timid flavor and chewy (not crunchy) texture. Think you can save time by bringing the syrup to a full rolling, popping boil in order for it to darken more quickly? Think again.

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Why do you add vinegar to toffee? ›

This recipe includes a dash of vinegar which will help keep the colour of the toffee clear and bright and banish any cloudiness.

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Why do you not stir toffee? ›

Mel's Dumbed Down Version: patience, moderate heat and heavy-bottoms (see saucepan note above) make the best toffee. It's important while the toffee cooks to only stir it occasionally. Constant stirring can cause the toffee to crystallize and separate.

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What is toffee called in America? ›

The English toffee eaten with regularity in America is also called buttercrunch. What's the difference? Primarily, the difference rests in the ingredients. Toffee in Britain is made with brown sugar, whereas buttercrunch is made with white granulated sugar.

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What is the American word for toffee? ›

2. variable noun. Toffee is a sticky candy that is very chewy. It is made by boiling sugar and butter together with water. [British]regional note: in AM, use taffy.

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Why do you put baking soda in toffee? ›

This toffee is cooked initially to 310°F (154°C), then the salt and baking soda are added, creating carbon dioxide. The foaming and bubbling aerate the candy somewhat, making the texture lighter and the candy easier to bite into.

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Why use cream of tartar in toffee? ›

It can help stabilize and maintain the structure of whipped cream and meringue so they don't fall flat once you're done whipping them. Preventing sugar crystallization. Cream of tartar can prevent your homemade hard candy, caramel, and toffee from forming a gritty texture due to sugar crystallization.

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How to stop toffee from crystallizing? ›

To avoid starting again, try these tips. Dissolve the sugar completely before increasing the heat and bringing the mixture to the boil. You'll know when it's dissolved - there won't be any crystals on your spoon. Brush any sugar crystals from the side of the pan with a wet pastry brush during the toffee-making process.

What kind of pan is best for making toffee? ›

Copper pot for making caramel and toffee. It takes a lot of butter to make toffee. Keeping the mixture boiling but not boiling over while adding the cream takes care.

Why did my butter separate when making toffee? ›

If the heat is too high, but butter might melt too quickly and can separate from the sugar. Toffee and caramel can also separate if the recipe calls for constant stirring and the candy isn't stirred often enough.

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Should toffee be grainy? ›

As the toffee cools and the molten sugar crystals become solid again, they are attracted to the 'seed' forming new lumps of tiny crystals – hence the grainy texture. This can also happen if the toffee is stirred, or agitated, after it has begun to boil or on cooling (as happened with this pink-tinted toffee).

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What makes English toffee different? ›

Americanized toffee may include nuts, while a completely traditional British toffee will not. On the other hand, English toffee uses pure cane sugar, brown sugar, or molasses as its sweet base and always involves chocolate.

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What makes English toffee separate? ›

If the butterfat separates out then usually this is due to the mixture being either heated or cooled too quickly, which "shocks" the mixture and causes the fat to separate out.

What is the difference between American and British candy? ›

American candies often boast bolder, more intense flavours compared to their British counterparts. For instance, the sweetness level in American chocolates like Hershey's is higher, with a distinct creamy texture, contrasting with the more subtle and rich flavours of British chocolates such as Cadbury's.

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What do the English call English toffee? ›

Although named English toffee, it bears little resemblance to the wide range of confectionery known as toffee currently available in the United Kingdom. However, one can still find this product in the UK under the name "butter crunch".