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!
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?!
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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Top with candy. Top melted chocolate with chopped pieces of your favorite candy.
- Let chill. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour, then cut or break into pieces and serve.
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!
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.
More Easy Sweet Treats
Candy Toffee
Equipment
- Heat Resistant Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butterfingers , chopped
- 1 1/2 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cups NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Morsels
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!
This went down really well with the children who loved decorating it… and the meating it too.
This recipe was really straightforward and I topped with lots of coloured candy like in your photos and they looked really great
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!
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.
I love toffee! Thanks for all the great details and variations. This looks so tasty.
This toffee looks scrumptious and SO easy! I love the addition of Butterfinger bits on top. Yum!