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    Home » Recipes » Candy

    How to Make Butter Toffee

    Published: Dec 14, 2020 · Modified: Jan 17, 2023 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments
    english butter toffee pinterest image

    Looking for a delicious way to show your love? Look no further than homemade butter toffee! This sweet treat is surprisingly easy and incredibly versatile - it's the ideal gift for any occasion, from Valentine’s Day or Christmas to birthdays, anniversaries…or even just because you care.

    Surprise someone special today with this heart-warming crunchy delight.

    classic butter toffee with almonds

    I have a policy with sweets and baked goods alike: they have to be worth it! I'm not going to waste my time with some store-bought cookie or pie.

    I'm not usually a sweet eater, but when I do eat something sweet and decadent, I make sure that it is a worthwhile experience. It needs to be special.

    Just like my Rum Truffles or Coconut Truffles, this homemade butter toffee is gorgeous and delicious. With a cooking time of only 30 minutes, it's a thoughtful, fancy gift that doesn't require hours of effort.

    Recipe Notes

    Toffee only has a few ingredients, so quality really counts here – I always use the highest quality butter and chocolate that I can find.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    • Butter. I usually use European butter because it has a higher butterfat content. Of course, it should be unsalted so that you can control any salt flavor. My favorite brands are Pulgra and Kerrygold.
    • Chocolate. My favorite brand of baking chocolate is Guittard, and for this recipe, I use 70% cocoa. I find that milk chocolate tends to be a little too sweet for this one.
    • Sugar. Use granulated sugar. You can also use brown sugar, which gives this toffee even more of a caramelly flavor.
    • Keto Butter Toffee: You can use monk fruit sweetener if you are watching your carbs. See the recipe notes.

    Butter Toffee with Fleur de Sel

    This crunchy butter toffee slathered with bittersweet chocolate and a sprinkle of fleur de sel is a flavor and texture heaven.

    Butter toffee with fleur de sel

    Butter Toffee with Roasted Almonds and Fleur de Sel – The Traditional

    I love nuts, so this is my favorite version. The roasted almonds with the deep, dark chocolate and a little fleur de sel are what I picture when I imagine the perfect toffee experience. Just imagine crumbling a few pieces of this crunchy butter toffee over a big bowl of ice cream. 🙌 Do you need anything else in life?

    a bowl of English Butter Toffee

    How to make butter toffee

    Toffee is a science, so the ingredients don’t vary much. Again, the quality of the ingredients is what determines the amazingness of this toffee in the end.

    This butter toffee recipe is super simple and will make you look like a classically trained confectioner, but be sure you read through the entire recipe before getting started.

    For the toffee, there is one special piece of equipment you will need: a candy thermometer (this is the one I use). Luckily, candy thermometers are relatively inexpensive.

    butter toffee covered with almond

    Step by Step Instructions

    1. Start by setting up 2 baking sheets. Each baking sheet should be lined with either a silicone baking mat or a really good parchment paper (not waxed paper).
    2. Add the butter, sugar, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
    3. Bring everything to a boil and then reduce the heat slightly. This is the best time to place your candy thermometer in the mixture. The candy thermometer should never touch the bottom of the pan.
    4. Use a whisk (or a wooden spoon, but definitely no plastic) to stir the mixture. Keep it at a low boil. It should be bubbling but not too fast.
    5. Continue to heat until the toffee reaches 298℉.
    6. Quickly remove the toffee, and very carefully pour one half of the mixture on each baking sheet.
    7. Use an offset spatula to spread the toffee. Let the butter toffee cool until the toffee is completely hard and room temperature. Use a lint-free paper towel to blot off any excess oil.
    8. While the toffee is cooling, melt the chocolate chips. You can melt the chocolate in a double boiler OR by microwaving the chocolate on high for 30 seconds at a time. Stir occasionally.
    9. Pour the melted chocolate over the toffee and spread the chocolate using an offset spatula.
    10. Top with chopped nuts and fleur de sel.

    Pictorial Guide

    Step-by-step photos for how to make butter toffee:

    Step 1. Start by bringing the butter, sugar, and water to a boil. Reduce temperature and insert your candy thermometer. Bring the mixture to 298℉.

    Step 2. Carefully pour the hot butter toffee onto a Silpat. When cool, remove any excess oil by patting with a paper towel or a lint-free kitchen towel.

    butter toffee spread thin on a silpat

    Step 3. Melt chocolate chips. In this photo, I'm using a double boiler to melt the chocolate. You can also use the microwave. The trick is to melt the chocolate slowly and evenly.

    melted chocolate in a double boiler

    Step 4. Chop and toast the almonds.

    chopped almonds on a cutting board

    Step 5. Pour on the melted chocolate and spread.

    spread the melted chocolate onto the cooled butter toffee

    Step 6. Sprinkle with fleur de sel and/or roasted almonds.

    Step 7. When the chocolate is completely cool, break the toffee into bite-sized pieces.

    sprinkle with chopped nuts or fleur de sel
    sprinkle with chopped nuts or fleur de sel
    butter toffee with and without nuts
    butter toffee cut into pieces

    Tips for perfect butter toffee every time

    1. Continue to heat while stirring constantly, and the sugar and butter will start to achieve a nice amber color.
    2. Keep stirring and watching the temperature closely until it reaches the "hard crack" stage.
    3. Once that thermometer hits 298℉, immediately remove from the heat! Following super specific temperatures is the secret to awesome candy. If you using monk fruit sweetener, allow the thermometer to hit 300 degrees.
    4. Add the vanilla quickly and then pour and spread.
    5. After the toffee is cool, remove any excess oil with a lint-free paper towel before adding the melted chocolate.

    Recipe Variations

    Hazelnut Butter Toffee. To make hazelnut butter toffee, simply add about 1 cup of roughly chopped hazelnuts to the butter toffee before pouring it onto the Silpat. In addition, you can add another ½ cup chopped hazelnuts to the top.

    Keto Butter Toffee. Replace the sugar with monk fruit sweetener. I like the Lakanto brand. Use the golden variety for this recipe.

    Thick Butter Toffee. If you want to make a thicker butter toffee layer, you can line a cake 9x13 cake pan with parchment paper. Add a little bit of oil to the parchment just to make sure you can easily remove the toffee after it's cool.

    Other Candy Recipes for you to Try:

    • Sugar-Free Keto Marshmallows
    • Homemade Candied Orange Peel
    • Rocky Road Fudge (Dairy-Free)
    • Coconut Truffles
    • How to Make Easy Homemade Rum Truffles
    • Dark Chocolate Almond Bark

    Did you try this recipe?

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    a stack of homemade butter toffee with a layer of dark chocolate and roasted almonds.
    Favorite Saved!

    Classic Butter Toffee

    Laura Reigel
    Nothing says “I love you!” more than homemade crunchy butter toffee. This recipe is WAY easier than you think. Butter toffee makes the perfect gift for the holiday season, valentine's, birthdays, or just because!!
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 48 servings
    Calories 177 kcal

    Equipment

    • candy thermometer
    • baking sheets
    • silpat baking mat
    • offset spatula

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 ounces unsalted butter
    • 16 ounces granulated sugar
    • 3 fl. ounces water
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 23 ounces chocolate chips I like extra dark Guittard

    Optional Toppings

    • 16 ounces roasted and chopped nuts
    • 16 ounces crushed candy canes
    • fleur de sel
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare two baking sheets lined with silicone baking mats or good parchment paper.
    • Combine butter, sugar, water, and salt in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
    • Cook over moderate heat, stirring gently, until candy thermometer registers exactly 298℉.
    • Remove from heat and immediately stir in vanilla until well combined.
    • Working quickly, pour ½ the mixture onto each prepared baking sheet. Use a heatproof rubber spatula or offset spatula to spread quickly before the toffee sets. Spread thin.
    • Allow toffee to cool completely. Blot to remove excess oil from the surface. 
    • Melt chocolate in a double boiler.
    • Pour ½ of melted chocolate over each piece of toffee, spread, and immediately sprinkle with topping.
    • Allow to set, then break into bite-size pieces.

    Laura's Tips + Notes

    Variations
    Hazelnut Toffee: Add in 1 cup of toasted and chopped hazelnuts to the toffee before you pour it. 
    Keto: I have made this recipe with Lakanto monk fruit sweetener. 
    I had really good success with this variation. I let the sweetener get a touch hotter, 300℉. 
    How to store
    Store in an airtight container. Add layers of waxed paper between the toffee if you will be keeping it for awhile. 

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 64mgSugar: 14gCalcium: 43mgIron: 0.2mg
    Keyword candy, edible gifts, holiday, toffee
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!

    More Candy

    11315 shares

    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tiffany

      January 04, 2023 at 5:50 pm

      5 stars
      This actually is so easy and amazingly tasty!

      Reply
      • Laura Reigel

        January 05, 2023 at 5:00 pm

        Thanks so much for the feedback. I love to hear how things are going in your kitchen.

        Reply

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