Candy Toffee

This toffee candy recipe puts a spin on an already classic recipe! This will be one of the easiest recipes to follow when it comes to making butter toffee! 

close up of candy toffee with text overlay for facebook


 

What is toffee? 

Toffee is one of the holiday’s most time honored traditions. Butter and sugar simmered to an amber glow and then cooled to crunchy deliciousness. Basically hardened caramel. I took traditional toffee up one notch by adding candy!

For some people, toffee is a main part of their holiday traditions. This Candy Toffee recipe changes the toffee game by throwing in an unexpected surprise- candy!

Who would have thought by adding one simple thing I would end up with a whole other delicious recipe?!

hand holding piece of candy toffee

Homemade Toffee

Although toffee is a simple recipe, many have trouble with the actual preparation. Butter and sugar will separate if not continually stirred.

This process can take up 15-20 minutes. A pinch of salt with stabilize the mixture, but not to the point where stirring is not required.

Unlike caramel, that has a very distinct no stirring instruction. After some time, the butter will brown and the sugar will caramelize resulting in an amber color. A great tip to remember is to use a wooden spoon to prevent sticking or melting.

One of the best things I love about this recipe is that it doesn’t require a candy thermometer! No special kitchen equipment required for this homemade toffee recipe. Some are made with a saltine cracker bottom and others are graham cracker toffee.

stack of candy toffee

Candy Toffee Ingredients

  • Candy – We used M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, pretzels and peppermints for our candy toffee. But you can use just about anything. Check the section below for more ideas.
  • Butter – I always like to use unsalted butter so that I can control the amount of salt in the recipe. However, you can use salted butter if that’s all you have on hand.
  • Sugar – Rather than corn syrup, I like to use pure cane sugar. It’s the perfect amount of sweet, and most people already have it in their pantry.
  • Vanilla – This helps to add a little flavor to our toffee. check the section below for other options of extracts you can use as well.
  • Salt – I like to use fine sea salt here. If you’re using salted butter, make sure to omit this all together. You don’t want your candy to be too salty!
  • Chocolate chips – Semi sweet chocolate chips are great for this recipe. Milk chocolate chips might be a little too sweet due to the fact that we top this toffee with candy.

How to Make Candy Toffee

  1. Melt butter and sugar. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Let butter melt and then cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
  2. Allow to darken. Continue to stir until mixture turns a dark amber. This may take some time, be patient. Toffee mixture should be dark in color and very thick.
  3. Top with chocolate. Pour toffee mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and immediately top all over with chocolate chips. Let sit so chocolate begins to melt, then spread chocolate with a spatula.
  4. Top with candy. Top melted chocolate with chopped pieces of your favorite candy.
  5. Let chill. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour, then cut or break into pieces and serve.
collage of how to make candy toffee

Variations

  • Candy – There is no limit to the toppings you can add to this candy toffee. Any number of chocolate bars, or chocolatey candies would work well. I would stay away from gummy or fruity candies though.
  • Chocolate – Rather than use semi sweet chocolate chips, you can use dark chocolate instead. Theoretically you could use milk or white chocolate, but be mindful of your toffee becoming too sweet.
  • Extracts – If you’re going to use peppermint pieces as the candy topping, try using a peppermint extract instead of vanilla. You could use coconut flakes as the topping and sub in coconut extract. Get creative!
overhead shot of 4 types of candy toffee

Storage and Freezing

Storage: You can store this buttery toffee in an airtight container at room temperature. Separate each layer with parchment paper so that they don’t stick together.

Freezing: You can also easily freeze this recipe. Store it in an airtight container and will stay in the freezer for up to three months.

collage of candy toffee for pinterest

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stack of candy toffee with text overlay for pinterest
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Candy Toffee

4.50 from 12 votes
Candy Toffee is an easy holiday treat using only 6 ingredients and taking just 20 minutes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Let butter melt and then cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
  • Continue to stir until mixture turns a dark amber, 15 to 20 minutes. This may take some time, be patient. Toffee mixture should be dark in color and very thick.
  • Pour toffee mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and immediately top all over with NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Morsels. Let sit 2 minutes so chocolate begins to melt, then spread chocolate with a spatula.
  • Top melted chocolate with chopped NESTLÉ® Butterfinger.
  • Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour, then cut or break into pieces and serve.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was! 

Nutrition

Calories: 776 kcal, Carbohydrates: 84 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 49 g, Saturated Fat: 30 g, Cholesterol: 98 mg, Sodium: 421 mg, Potassium: 58 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 75 g, Vitamin A: 1165 IU, Vitamin C: 0.2 mg, Calcium: 70 mg, Iron: 0.7 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 776
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: candy toffee, easy toffee recipe, english toffee
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe was really straightforward and I topped with lots of coloured candy like in your photos and they looked really great

  2. 5 stars
    This is such a great idea! The toffee alone is delicous but it’s even better with the addition of a candy topping! Thanks for sharing!

  3. 5 stars
    This is so perfect for the holidays! I’m going to make a double batch of these and give them as part of my family’s Christmas gifts.