Classic Christmas Toffee Recipe
This Classic Christmas Toffee recipe features a rich, buttery caramel base topped with melted chocolate, chopped nuts, and a touch of sea salt. Perfect for holiday gifting or festive snacking, this easy-to-make toffee combines crunchy pecans, smooth chocolate, and just the right amount of sweetness for a delightful treat everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes (including cooling time)
- Yield: About 36 pieces 1x
- Category: Confectionery, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop cooking and chilling
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 cup chopped pecans or almonds
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 (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups)
- Additional chopped pecans for garnish (about 1/4 cup)
- Flaked sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish and Pecans: Gather all ingredients and line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Spread 1 cup of chopped pecans evenly on the bottom to form the toffee base.
- Make the Caramel Mixture: In a medium pot over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, water, and salt. Stir frequently until melted and bubbling. Attach a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature closely.
- Cook the Caramel: Continue stirring occasionally and cook until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). Remove from heat promptly and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Assemble the Toffee: Pour the hot caramel over the pecan base, spreading evenly with a spatula. Let cool for 2 minutes, then sprinkle chocolate chips generously over the warm caramel. Cover with foil or a baking sheet to trap heat and melt the chocolate.
- Finish and Chill the Toffee: After 4 minutes, remove the cover and gently swirl the melted chocolate with a knife or spatula to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and optional flaked sea salt. Allow to cool completely at room temperature for 4 hours or refrigerate to speed chilling.
- Cut and Serve the Toffee: Once set and cool to the 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 festive toffee!
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer to ensure the caramel reaches the proper hard crack temperature of 300°F for perfect texture.
- Butter should be unsalted for best flavor control; adjust added salt accordingly.
- Feel free to swap pecans with almonds or your favorite nuts for variation.
- If the chocolate hardens too quickly, you can briefly warm the toffee to soften for cutting.
- Store toffee in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for longer freshness.
- Optional flaked sea salt enhances the sweet and salty balance but can be omitted if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 20 grams)
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Christmas toffee, homemade toffee, holiday candy, caramel toffee, nut toffee, chocolate toffee, festive desserts
Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/classic-christmas-toffee-recipe/
