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!
Looking for more holiday treats? Make sure to try my Buttermilk Pecan Pralines, Candied Pecans and Divinity!
Toffee Recipe
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.
Easy Toffee Candy
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.
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.
Best Toffee Ever
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…
More Christmas Favorites
- Christmas Crack – An Easy Saltine Toffee Recipe!
- Christmas Peppermint Patties
- Kolaczki (Polish Cookies)
- Peppermint Snowball Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
What Is Toffee Made Of?
Not a whole lot as it turns out! There are so many things I love about this Toffee recipe and the short ingredient list is one fo them. As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:
- pecans – other nuts will work in this recipe too: almonds, walnuts, pistachios, etc.
- butter – use a good quality butter because it’s one of the main ingredients in this candy recipe.
- sugar – plain granulated sugar is what we’re using.
- kosher salt – for balance and flavor.
- vanilla extract – use the best quality you can.
- milk chocolate chips – semisweet can also be used. If you have baking bars, those work too, just chop up before using in the recipe.
How To Make Toffee
- 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.
- 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 290°F to 300°F, remove from heat and gently stir in the vanilla extract.
- Carefully pour over the pecans.
- Let the candy sit for a few minutes before sprinkling the chocolate chips over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Remove the foil and gently spread the softened chocolate into an even layer.
- Place the candy in the refrigerator and let cool completely.
- 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.
Storage Information
Toffee should be stored in an airtight container for up 2 weeks. You want the toffee to stay cool and dry so store it away from heat and moisture. Toffee can get sticky so keep that in mind if you live in a humid environment.
Top Tips for the Best Toffee
- 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.
- 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.
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 🙂
More Candy Favorites
- Martha Washington Candies
- Peppermint Fudge
- Buttermilk Pecan Pralines
- Divinity Candy
- Homemade Gumdrops
- Chocolate Covered Mint Patties
How to Make Toffee
Better Than Anything Toffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon 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.1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
- Add butter, sugar, and salt to a heavy bottomed 3 quart pot.1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 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 290°F to 300°F, or "hard crack" on a candy thermometer.
- Once the candy has reached 290°F-300°F, remove from heat and gently stir in the vanilla extract.1 teaspoon 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.1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published November 11, 2017.
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!
nancy young says
can I use brown sugar for the toffee. Tried the other way and it is great.
Nancy young
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I haven’t ever tried this recipe with brown sugar so I’m not sure. I don’t think it would turn out as well.
Laura says
I recently had surgery by the most amazing Dr ever! She put me back together better than before! So as a huge thanks to her and her awesome staff, I made this recipe with a few personal touches. But I know they are going to love it and know how much I appreciate them. Thank you for your wonderfully delicious recipe. ( My tweaks wear adding semi- sweet chocolate plus special dark chocolate, using a tiny bit of almond extract in addition to the vanilla, then going absolutely nuts by using pecans, almonds & walnuts. Your recipe is the perfect base for unlimited joy! Thank you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad your surgery went so well Laura! I’m sure they enjoyed this special treat and yay you for making it your own!
Pam says
I made this the other day and I can say it’s the best toffee I’ve ever had. It is sooooo good. I couldn’t stop eating it. Try it! You won’t regret it! Friends who tried it told me I should make it and sell it. They would buy it.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I find it just a leeeeetle addicting myself Pam lol! It is SO good! Glad you love it as much as we do!
Mags says
Hi, I love the recipe for choc walnut toffee, my question how much is 2 sticks of butter, I live in the UK. Thanks
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes! That would be 1 cup of butter.
KellyAnn says
What a wonderful recipe, ty you for sharing! Because of your complete and clear instructions, I made candy for the first time in my life…lol. And I’m 54! It turned out great.
Georgia says
I’ve made the same thing with saltines instead, and dark chocolate.
Shari says
Made this for Christmas, it was easy and soooooo good. Will make again. Thank you for the recipe.
JAWhiz says
Made this Christmas Eve day 2017 and did exactly what the recipe stated. I even let it go past 300 degrees a bit, just to make sure it got hot enough (read people kept having problems). Also, I noticed the cream was separating from the butter-another problem people had. I turned temp down lower (was mid than low) and it all came back together. You can’t make this faster by turning up the heat. Won’t work-do as she says! In the end, it turned out PERFECTLY!! Beautiful caramel color, broke in pieces easily, and chocolate stuck just fine on the toffee. Seriously, just follow the recipe LIKE SHE STATES and you’ll have no problem!! My mother-in-law immediately asked for the recipe! Thanks!!
Les says
Just made my first batch and it turned out fantastic. Only one change is that I added 1 TBS Lyle’s Golden Syrup (bought at Kroger on sale) and this really helped for the toffee flavor. I used a candy thermometer and also I put a few drops on ice to double check. Great recipe, this is a keeper.
Julie Proctor says
I just want to thank you for this recipe. It saved me this Christmas. Soooo easy and foolproof if quality ingredients are used, and you pay attention to the directions. I’ve made three double batches so far. The first I used semi-sweet (I didn’t have milk chocolate chips), second I used white chocolate and red and green food coloring swirled in for a festive look, and the third milk chocolate. Soooo goood!!!! My butter of choice is Kerrygold. Don’t be afraid, you too can be a candy maker. Thanks again!!
Vickie miller says
I made this recipe today. I followed the instructions to the letter however when I took the candy out of the fridge and cut it, it became crumbly and sugary. I might have used too high of heat.
Beth says
I made this earlier today. I have never used a candy thermometer, so I was a bit hesitant. I followed the directions closely, and it turned out perfectly! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!!
Tina says
I made 3 batches of this toffee. I used Land o Lakes butter on the first two batches. Perfect! The third batch I used Kroger brand…it’s what I had left. What a difference! The third batch was greasy and didn’t seem to blend together. It’s in the frig hardening now. We will see how it actually turns out. 🙂
Carol Strickland says
i made this tonight. I used a candy thermometor. The candy taste wonderful and cracks beautifully but. There is buttery edges leaking out all the way around. It appears to me I had too much butter for the sugar. Yes I measured. I did use Land o Lake butter. Could I add more sugar and it still work?
kim moncion says
I tried this recipe three times today. Followed the instructions to a “T”. Each time the temperature reached 250 the toffee separated. I used med/low heat as instructed. Even used low heat the 3rd try. Stirred exactly how instructed. Im at a loss.