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Classic Christmas Toffee Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 71 reviews

Classic Christmas Toffee is a rich, buttery treat featuring a crunchy pecan base topped with golden caramel, melted chocolate, and more nuts for an irresistible holiday dessert. This old-fashioned recipe combines simple ingredients with precise candy-making techniques to create perfect hard crack toffee that’s both sweet and slightly salty, finished with a gourmet touch of flaked sea salt.

Ingredients

Scale

For the base:

  • 1 cup chopped pecans

For the toffee:

  • 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter (such as Kerrygold), cut into pieces
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

For the topping:

  • Additional chopped pecans
  • Chocolate chips (amount as desired, about 1 cup recommended)
  • Flaked sea salt (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Dish and Pecans: Gather all ingredients. Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Evenly spread 1 cup chopped pecans across the bottom to create the toffee base.
  2. Make the Caramel Mixture: In a medium pot, combine the butter, granulated sugar, water, and salt. Heat over medium, stirring frequently until melted and bubbling. Attach a candy thermometer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally.
  3. Cook the Caramel: Monitor the temperature until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). Immediately remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly.
  4. Assemble the Toffee: Pour the hot caramel evenly over the pecan base, spreading with a spatula. Let it cool for about 2 minutes, then sprinkle chocolate chips over the caramel. Cover to trap heat and allow chocolate to melt.
  5. Finish and Chill the Toffee: After about 4 minutes, uncover and swirl the melted chocolate with a spatula or knife to create patterns. Sprinkle finely chopped pecans on top, and optionally add flaked sea salt. Let cool completely at room temperature for 4 hours or refrigerate to speed chilling.
  6. Cut and Serve the Toffee: Lift the toffee out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into pieces with a sharp knife or break apart by hand. Serve and enjoy this festive homemade toffee!

Notes

  • Using a candy thermometer is essential to reach the hard crack stage for perfect toffee texture.
  • Line your baking dish with parchment paper to easily remove the toffee once set.
  • You can substitute pecans with chopped almonds or walnuts if preferred.
  • To speed up cooling, place the toffee in the refrigerator after the initial chocolate melting step.
  • Store leftover toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
  • Use high-quality chocolate chips and sea salt for the best flavor impact.

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

Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/classic-christmas-toffee-recipe/