english toffee
With Christmas nearly upon us, it’s time to talk edible gifts for the dessert lovers in your life. First up is English toffee, for the person who adores toffee as much, if not more so, than chocolate.
Brown sugar and a shot of whiskey intensifies the toffee, adding a rich caramelized flavor. Topped with a layer of chocolate and crunch from almonds and pecans, you’ll be tempted to keep the entire batch for yourself (so double the recipe and make two batches, one to savor and one to share).
English Toffee
- Yield: 24 pieces
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp whiskey
- 1/8 tsp flaky sea salt
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine butter, sugars, whiskey, and sea salt in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally, until mixture reaches 250ºF. Whisk constantly until mixture reaches 300ºF, then immediately pour mixture out on prepared baking sheet and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Place baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes to set toffee.
- Place chocolate in a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Slowly melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally until glossy and smooth. Pour melted chocolate over cooled toffee layer and spread with an offset spatula into an even layer; sprinkle with chopped almonds and pecans. Let chocolate set completely, then break toffee into pieces. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Calories: 150
- Carbohydrates: 24
A shot of whiskey makes everything just that one little bit better, right? These look delicious.
Beautiful! Love the shot of whisky. : D
Gorgeous! That actually gives me an idea for teachers’ gifts!
I make English toffee every year…and I loved seeing your recipe and twists. Great tip about popping in the freezer, too.
Toffee is one of my all time favorite treats! This looks incredible, love!
What gorgeous photos of toffee!! It’s one of my favorites to have around this time of year 🙂 I can have it year-round, too, though. Toffee is one of my fav flavors!
English toffee is a must for Christmas! Beautiful photo, Laura!
I’m just gearing up for candy making today! Fantastic idea, whiskey is being added to my recipe! What a scrumptious holiday gift!
Very tempting and pretty! I cannot resist toffee.
Cheers,
Rosa
Laura, this looks totally delicious… a question… is the toffee a tooth cracker?
I went to a party this weekend where I ate piece after piece of toffee, and it didn’t look nearly as apetizing as this toffee.
Swoon! English toffee is my fave – and a little shot of booze can only make it better 🙂 Beautiful, Laura!
Mmmm I’d love some of this given to me as a Christmas gift! Gorgeous photos too Laura.
oh I love this. . can’t wait to try. . and I have some whisky in the house! 🙂 Happy holidays! Merry CHRISTmas!
I have never made toffee, but it’s on my list to try. So hoping I can find time to make some of this before Christmas. Looks so delicious!!
Laura I wish I was on your Christmas list!
If you’re interested… I’m hosting an edible Christmas gift hop this week. I’d love you to join http://clairekcreations.com/2013/12/foodie-secret-santa-chocolate-crinkle-cookies/
Loooove toffee, Laura! And, yours looks absolutely divine! Dig that shot of whiskey, too. Pinning!
A shot of whiskey??! This sounds awesome!
I’m planning my toffee post later this week — now I’m super inspired! Your photos, as always, are stunning!
Like both the additions of whiskey and sea salt-that must be delicious in your english toffee! Great photos of your holiday treat Laura 😉
Laura – there is only one word for this – DIVINE! I am making this for sure over my 2 week holiday vacation!
I can really imagine how crunchy and nutty these are! 😀
I love toffee! I’ve never attempted it, but I just added this recipe to my “to make” list for the weekend! I think this will be perfect for Christmas! Can you omit the whiskey?
I had planned on making some toffee for Christmas day but now I’m tossing my recipe and using yours. Everything is better with a little whiskey!
Love this recipe Laura! And whiskey! Wow!!
I love English Toffee. I love whiskey. This one sounds wonderful. And your photos are lovely! Brava!
I adore toffee and this is just gorgeous!
I do not think I could give this away! I want it all for myself! Sounds and looks incredible!
This toffee looks gorgeous, and I love the shot of whiskey! Adding this to my edible gifts this year!
Oh goodness! It’s been way to long since I last visited. About to go on a pinning spree but I had to say that this is gorgeous. And deadly for me. 😉 I’d plop down in bed with a movie and eat every last piece.
Absolutely gorgeous! I’d love to give and receive this toffee as gifts. Love that shot of whiskey!
What a delicious thing that is! Definitely on my to-do-list. Thanks 🙂 ela
I need this in my life, stat! And that shot of whiskey is pure genius!
I love toffee, it is one of my all time favorite treats!
Yummy scrummy. I love the hit of whiskey.
I adore English toffee and yours looks fantastic great holiday treat to give.
This is my favorite, Laura! I always love crunchy food and this is my ultimate favorite of all. At the same time, it’s very dangerous to be near it.. 🙂 I really love the photography too!