Description
A buttery, caramel toffee studded with slivered almonds and topped with rich, dark chocolate and dusted with chopped pecans. This classic toffee makes an irresistible holiday gift or just a sweet indulgence for yourself.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (I use Baker’s ultra fine sugar)
- 1 3/4 cups unsalted butter (3 1/2 sticks)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups slivered almonds
- 2 1/2 cups chopped dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Set two baking sheets upside down on countertop.
- Grease lightly with butter if you like (optional).
- In a large wide pot over medium-low heat, melt together butter, sugar, vanilla and salt.
- Stir often with a wood spoon.
- Simmer mixture which will begin to thicken as it cooks.
- Toffee will reach the “firm-ball” stage around 250 degrees. Test temperature with candy thermometer ( I use the ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4). As a second test, add a drop of the toffee mixture to a glass of water and if the drop holds it’s form and does not pancake/flatten out, then the toffee is at the correct temperature to add the almonds.
- Add the almonds and turn heat down to low.
- Stir constantly.
- Mixture will continue to thicken and become a richer, caramel color over the next 15-20 minutes.
- Be sure to continue stirring frequently.
- Cook toffee until it reaches 295 degrees.
- Test again with a candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat quickly and stir in baking soda thoroughly.
- Being careful not to touch the scalding hot pot or toffee, pour toffee onto the back side of two baking sheets.
- Using the wooden spoon or a heat resistant spatula, spread the toffee out until it is about 1/2 inch thick.
- Immediately add chopped chocolate to the top of the hot toffee.
- Allow it to melt slightly, 3-4 minutes.
- Using a knife or off set spatula, spread the melted chocolate across the top of the toffee.
- Dust with chopped pecans.
- Cool on countertop or put baking sheets in refrigerator for 30 minutes until set.
- Break toffee apart with hands or using a spatula.
Notes
Toffee can be stored tightly wrapped in a cool, dry place for two weeks.
Refrigerating is recommended.