The best toffee recipe EVER!
Sweet milk chocolate, crunchy pecans, and rich, buttery toffee – what’s not to love? This Better Than Anything Toffee is easy to make and makes the perfect treat OR gift year-round!
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The holiday season marks my favorite time of year. If you hadn’t guessed already, I’m a leeetle obsessed with food. Making good food for my friends and family is my happy place. One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is make candy. I have a TON of candy recipes on my site. Some are super easy using only the microwave and a handful of ingredients like these M&Ms Marshmallow Dream Bars while others are more challenging but worth every second like these Buttermilk Pecan Pralines.
I have my personal favorites that never fail to make an appearance each holiday season and this Better Than Anything Toffee recipe is one of those.
This recipe reminds me a lot of old school pound cake recipes in that the amounts are simple to remember. One cup of butter, one cup of sugar, one cup of pecans and one cup of milk chocolate chips. A pinch of salt and a little vanilla extract are optional but add a lot of flavor to this easy candy recipe.
Yes! I said easy! I know some of you guys are going to get a little freaked when you see that you need a candy thermometer for this recipe.
Don’t.
It makes candy making fun and fool-proof! This entire recipe takes about 20 minutes from chopping the pecans to spreading the chocolate on top. Then you just have to let it chill for awhile while you enjoy a steaming mug of Slow Cooker Peppermint White Hot Chocolate.
I’m gonna put this picture right here just in case you have any doubts that this recipe is absolutely worth your time…
That’s what I thought.
So, why do I love toffee so much? Because EVERYONE else does! I have given a lot of food gifts over the years but trust me, I take note of which ones get the biggest reactions. This Better Than Anything Toffee is one such recipe.
Top Tips for the BEST TOFFEE RECIPE:
- Use a quality candy thermometer like this one (best for large batches) or this candy thermometer (great for small batches AND large batches and it does a lot more). Digital is my favorite. You literally can’t mess it up. I give the range of 290F – 300F for this recipe. I have cooked it from one end of this range to the other and it’s all good. 300F is hard crack so the toffee will be more brittle the higher you go.
- There is a whopping 4 main ingredients in this recipe, 5 if you count the vanilla extract, 6 if you count the salt. Use the very best quality ingredients for the best quality toffee. I use Challenge butter it’s the brand I’ve used and trusted for years and years. Made with 100% real cream, it’s my butter of choice. And, for all you who thought it wasn’t in your market, it’s now available nationally. Find out where to buy it in your area here.
- I used milk chocolate chips for the top layer. You can use three Hershey’s bars in place of the chips if you prefer. The chocolate is a little softer and will melt faster as it’s being held but it is delicious.
- Not a pecan fan? Cool. Use what you want: almonds, walnuts, etc.
- Freaking out over the fact that I didn’t top the toffee with finely crushed and chopped nuts? This recipe doesn’t need it since there are so many nuts IN the toffee. If you still can’t handle it, feel free to top your toffee as you wish.
- Store toffee in airtight container so they don’t get sticky. That’s kind of annoying. Cool + dry = happy toffee.
- This recipe can be easily doubled. Use a 10 x 15 jelly roll pan instead of the 9-in square pan and you’ll be all set.
In the mood for candy making? Try these Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles (easiest candy EVER), these Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons (always a crowd pleaser) or check out my 30 Last Minute Christmas Treats here. Lots of great recipes!
You can find all of my CHRISTMAS RECIPES HERE 🙂
How to Make Better Than Anything Toffee
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Better Than Anything Toffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
- 1 cup (2 sticks) Challenge unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Spray a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- Spread the chopped pecans in a single layer on top of the parchment.
- Add butter, sugar, and salt to a heavy bottomed 3 quart pot
- Bring to a boil over medium low heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
- Once the candy is boiling, stir occasionally, slowly and evenly, until the candy has reached 290F to 300F, or "hard crack" on a candy thermometer.
- Once the candy has reached 290F-300F, remove from heat and gently stir in the vanilla extract.
- Carefully pour the mixture over the chopped pecans.
- Let the candy sit for a few minutes, undisturbed, before sprinkling the chocolate chips over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and let sit for 5 minutes or until the chocolate has softened.
- Remove the foil and gently spread the softened chocolate into an even layer. An offset spatula works best for this.
- Place the candy in the refrigerator and let cool completely. Give it at least 2 hours.
- Lift the parchment out of the baking dish and place the toffee on a cutting board or solid surface.
- Use a knife to gently break it into smaller pieces.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool place.
Try these other favorites!
No Bake Avalanche Popcorn Treats
Practically Perfect Peppermint Fudge
For all cookie recipes, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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Have a great day!
Disclosure: I was compensated for this post by Challenge Butter. All opinions are, as always, 100% my own. Thank you to my readers for supporting the brands that make Mom On Timeout possible!
Lori says
This is the best recipe ever and so easy!! I cooked it to 290 degrees and perfect!! A tradition every Christmas!!
Diana says
Made them turned out amazing!! Looks just like the picture!! Had to freeze mine since I bombed the first batch! Did not have a candy thermometer to help me! Got one then they turned out amazing!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Woohoo! Thanks Diana!
Carolann says
Thanks Trisha gonna make it now wish me luck
Lisa Cantrell says
Incredible recipe…I’ve made this about 4-5 times now, and it’s a complete hit every time! I like to sprinkle kosher or sea salt on top of the chocolate once it’s melted, too. Thanks for the great, easy-to-follow recipe!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you love it as much as we do Lisa!
JEdwards says
Just made this and followed directions exactly, it came out perfectly! Thank you for the recipe and clear directions that a first time candy maker could follow!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Success tastes so sweet – especially when it’s toffee!! Have a Merry Christmas!
Wendy says
This is wonderful. For those of us at high altitude (greater than 3000 ft above sea level), dont forget we need to adjust that 300 degree number down based on temp water boils
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks for that great tip and reminder Wendy!
Ben says
Just made this. First time making candy. I LOVE TOFFEE! I didn’t have the square dish so I used a nine inch round. I cut back on pecans since I had less area and I didn’t want the pecans to be too prevalent. I forgot the salt so I sprinkled kosher coarse salt on top of the chocolate. I used Ghiradelli semi sweet to balance the sweetness of the toffee. I think I got it to 290+ but it was hard to tell on my imprecise glass candy therm.
Fingers crossed!
Bobbie says
Giving them a try this year! So far they look and smell good! Thanks!