• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Short Order Cook

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Food & Fun
  • Travel & Dining
  • Meet Angela
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Food & Fun
    • Travel & Dining
    • Meet Angela
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Holidays

    Published: Dec 11, 2020 · Modified: Jan 10, 2023 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This classic old-fashioned toffee recipe is a holiday and family favorite. It is easy to make and results in the best sweet caramel flavor that toffee is.  Covered in semi-sweet chocolate and slivered almonds throughout make for the most amazing homemade toffee recipe.  Anyone that loves Health bars or Almond Roca will love this homemade toffee recipe.

    Toffee is a great make-ahead candy that is easy to make and wonderful for giving as a holiday gift.  This recipe is a no-bake dessert that stores well for a long time so you can make it even weeks before serving or wrapping it up as a gift. Simply store it in an air-tight container in your refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy it.

     

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee plated and stacked
    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee plated and stacked

    Ingredients for Homemade Toffee

    This recipe is a simple dessert that only needs 4 ingredients.  You will need salted butter, white sugar, semi-sweet mini chocolate chips, and almonds.  It includes nuts in this toffee recipe but you can make this with no nuts.  Now it is only 3 ingredients for the best homemade toffee.

    For the nuts, I am using slivered almonds. You can also use sliced almonds (both pictured below) but other nuts work as well. For this toffee recipe, you can use almonds, peanuts, cashews, pecans, or a combination of any of these nuts and it will be very tasty.

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee ingredients
    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee ingredients

    I like to use mini semi-sweet chocolate chips for this recipe. The mini size melts quickly over the hot toffee and spreads easily. Use your favorite brand or try one of the best melting chocolates in this recipe.

    Different Between English Toffee and Regular Toffee

    I am sure you have heard the term English toffee before and have wondered what is the difference between that and just regular toffee.  What makes a recipe for English toffee?  The main difference is in the type of sugar used.  English toffee traditionally uses brown sugar and other toffee recipes, such as this one, use white granulated sugar for the candy base.

    Also if it is dipped in chocolate and includes nuts, it is not English toffee.  It is what is also known as buttercrunch. So you can call this recipe toffee or buttercrunch, either way, it is not a traditional English toffee but it is so good whatever you want to call it.

    For more check out the History of Toffee.

    Making Homemade Toffee

    The key to making any homemade candy, like toffee, is to have an accurate candy thermometer.  You will need to make sure the candy gets to the soft crack stage so that it sets when it cooks and has a brittle crunchy texture that you can still bite through easily.

    In a large saucepan, melt butter and sugar over medium-high heat. Insert a candy thermometer into the side of your pot or have it handy for checking throughout the cooking. Allow it to come to a boil and stir.

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee coming to a boil
    Salted butter and sugar coming to a boil

    Prep the Baking Sheet with Almonds

    Just after all is melted and it is just beginning to heat up, prep the baking sheet. LIne a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Spread ¾ C of the sliver almonds evenly over the foiled baking sheet. Reserve the remaining almonds and chop them into smaller pieces - this will be for the top of the toffee later.

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee prepare the baking sheet
    Prepare the baking sheet

    Cook to a Soft Crack with a Rich Medium-Brown/Amber Color

    Stir continuously over the next 15-20 minutes. It will darken over time and once it is a medium-brown color with hints of brown/red (amber) check the reading on your candy thermometer. You want it at the SOFT CRACK heat which is 280-285°.  It should look similar to the photo below and be bubbling continuously and has risen in the pot as it expands and thickens.

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee light brown and almost ready
    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee light brown and almost ready

    As soon as it reaches 280-285°, safely pour the toffee evenly over the almonds on the prepared baking sheet.

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee pouring onto the baking sheet with nuts
    Pouring onto the baking sheet with nuts

    Melt Chocolate & Add Toppings Over the Toffee Layer

    Immediately sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the layer of hot toffee. Make sure the chips cover the entire surface. Wait about a minute as the chocolate will melt from the heat of the hot toffee. It will then be easy to spread as it melts by using a rubber spatula as shown in the photos below. Spread the chocolate evenly in a thin layer.

    The miniature size of these chocolate chips makes them so easy for melting. No double-boiler or heating in the microwave is needed for this chocolate-covered toffee. Use one of the best melting chocolates so the top of your toffee is smooth, shiny, & pretty.

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee spreading the melting chocolate chips
    Spreading the melting chocolate chips

    Immediately sprinkle the finely chopped almonds over the chocolate layer. If you are also adding sea salt flakes, now is the time to sprinkle that on the top as well.

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee topped with almonds and sea salt
    Topped with almonds and sea salt

    Cool and Chop the Finished Old-fashioned Classic Toffee

    Let the baking sheet rest in a cool place.
     
    Once the toffee is set and cool, you can begin chopping or chipping away to make pieces. See the recipe card below regarding a few options for doing that safely.
     
     
    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee broken into squares
    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee broken into squares

    Store and Gift-Giving Homemade Toffee

    Store in an air-tight container in your refrigerator. Toffee is great to make ahead for all those goodie bags, cookies, and candy plates that are delivered to neighbors, friends, and family.  Do not give it all away, keep some for yourself!!!  This can last for months if stored correctly. The chocolate may begin to get a white hue to it as it is cold in the refrigerator but it is still delicious.

    Another great holiday recipe that you will want to make every Christmas is my peanut butter balls.  They are no-bake and amazing for gift-giving any time of year. You must check out the recipe for OLD-FASHIONED PEANUT BUTTER BALLS.

    While chopping, a lot of tiny bits end up in the pan or on the cutting board. SAVE THEM!  We love to munch on them and especially to sprinkle them on top of ice cream sundaes just like Ben & Jerry's Heath Bar Crunch ice cream.

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee pieces and leftover small bits in a bowl
    Toffee pieces and leftover small bits in a bowl

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee PIN
    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee PIN

    Product Recommendations for this Recipe:

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

    Old-fashioned Classic Toffee featured closeup

    Old-Fashioned Classic Toffee

    Angela
    This classic old-fashioned toffee recipe is a holiday and family favorite. It is easy to make and results in the best sweet caramel flavor that toffee is plus a chocolate layer and slivered almonds.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Cooling Time 45 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24

    Equipment

    • Candy Thermometer

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 C salted butter
    • 2 C white granulated sugar
    • 1 10 oz pkg semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
    • 1 C slivered or sliced almonds
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes optional

    Instructions
     

    • In a large saucepan, melt butter and sugar over medium-high heat. Insert candy thermometer to the side of your pot or have handy for checking throughout the cooking. Allow it to come to a boil and stir.
    • Just after all is melted and it is just beginning to heat up, prep the baking sheet. LIne a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Spread ¾ C of the sliver almonds evenly over the foiled baking sheet. Reserve the remaining almonds and chop them into smaller pieces - this will be for the top of the toffee later.
    • Stir continuously over the next 15-20 minutes. It will darken over time and once it is a medium-brown color with hints of brown/red (amber) check the reading on your candy thermometer. You want it at the SOFT CRACK heat which is 280-285°.
    • As soon as it reaches 280-285°, safely pour the toffee evenly over the almonds on the prepared baking sheet.
    • Immediately sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the layer of hot toffee. Make sure the chips cover the entire surface. Wait about a minute as the chocolate will melt from the heat of the hot toffee. It will then be easy to spread as it melts by using a rubber spatula as shown in the photos above. Spread the chocolate evenly in a thin layer.
    • Immediately sprinkle the finely chopped almonds over the chocolate layer. If you are also adding sea salt flakes, now is the time to sprinkle that on the top as well.
    • Let the baking sheet rest in a cool place. If your house is warm, it will not set completely and may need to go into the refrigerator to set completely. It should take about 45 minutes for the toffee to harden and the chocolate to set.
    • Once the toffee is set and cool, you can begin chopping or chipping away to make pieces. Lift the foil out of the baking sheet and peel the foil off or simply place the toffee and foil directly onto a cutting board. I use the sharp tip of a knife to press down and make jagged pieces. You can also use your hands but for me, it is more controlled with the cutting board and knife method.
    • Store in an air-tight container in your refrigerator. This can last for months if stored correctly. The chocolate may begin to get a white hue to it as it is cold in the refrigerator but it is still delicious. (any small bits that collect - SAVE - great for adding to ice cream sundaes)

    Notes

    Servings Per Recipe: 24
    Calories: 226
    % Daily Value *
    Protein: 1.5g3 %
    Carbohydrates: 20g7 %
    Dietary Fiber: 1.1g5 %
    Fat: 16.9g26 %
    Saturated Fat: 9.3g47 %
    Cholesterol: 30.5mg10 %
    Vitamin A Iu: 355IU7 %
    Niacin Equivalents: 0.5mg4 %
    Folate: 3.1mcg1 %
    Calcium: 17.9mg2 %
    Iron: 0.5mg3 %
    Keyword candy, chocolate, christmas, easy, gluten-free, grain-free, holiday, kid favorite, no bake, special occasion

    Did you make this The Short Order Cook Recipe?

    Tag @theshortordercookblog (Instagram & Facebook) or @shortorder_cook (Twitter). 

    I would love to see your latest creations and kitchen adventures.

    « Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #407
    Best Pomegranate Moscow Mule »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Cathy says

      December 15, 2020 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      This is the best toffee. Have you ever added bacon on top? I made bacon fudge years ago and was thinking this could work here too for bacon toffee.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 15, 2020 at 3:08 pm

        Wow, bacon toffee does sound amazing. I would think it would work to sprinkle cooked bacon bits on top at the end instead of the sea salt flakes - otherwise, that may be too salty. This sounds quite delicious - I may need to try it next Christmas and share on the blog if it works.

        Reply
    2. Stacee says

      June 25, 2021 at 2:23 pm

      5 stars
      This turned out perfect.

      Reply
    3. Tammy says

      November 24, 2021 at 7:49 am

      5 stars
      Perfect. I just made a test batch and it came out perfect. I need to stop eating it. I have never made this or used a candy thermometer before but this was easy to follow. Now I am ready to make a lot and pass out as gifts for my coworkers at the school.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 24, 2021 at 8:00 am

        You have some lucky coworkers, enjoy the holidays and the recipe. I agree it is hard to not eat it all yourself - haha.

        Reply
    4. Randi says

      December 05, 2021 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      This took a bit longer to come to temperature for me. It may be my stove or the heat but it came out just great. I could not find the mini chocolate chips probably because of a shortage but the regular ones still melted and spread. We love it.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 05, 2021 at 10:36 am

        I am glad this still worked for you. I bought my mini chips around Halloween and it sounds like I am glad I did. I plan to make this next weekend .

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Angela the short order cook on a step stool reaching into the top kitchen cupboard.

    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that hopes you find something new & tasty to love while you are here.

    More about me →

    This site has links to products/services that may make us a commission. #ad

    Popular

    • Air Fryer Broccolini with Lemon & Parmesan
    • Toaster Oven Bacon
    • Best Pots & Pans for Gas Stove
    • Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick
    • Homemade Snickers Bars
    • Creamy Coconut Chicken 
    • 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)
    • Collard Greens Seasoning

    The Short Order Cook LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

    #ad The Short Order Cook LLC is an affiliate of ButcherBox. I have been a customer for years and cannot recommend it enough. Great prices & even better meat! Sign up today.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Meet Angela
    • Meet the Family

    Copyright © 2023 The Short Order Cook LLC All recipes, photos, and articles on this site are the property of The Short Order Cook LLC. You are welcome to share a photo ONLY with an accompanied do-follow link back to this site. Publishing any items as if they were your own is prohibited.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read Privacy Policy
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT