Homemade English Toffee Recipe (2024)

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Posted by Aimee 281 comments
Published: Dec 12, 2023 Last Updated: Dec 12, 2023

English Toffeeis a classic holiday candy that’s buttery, nutty, and rich thanks to a combination of almonds, walnuts, and milk chocolate. Make it in a brownie bite pan to get the cutest toffee bites—perfect for gifting!

I love making candy every holiday to give as gifts and serve to guests. If you’re new to candy, start with our easyrocky road fudge,homemade turtles, andpeanut butter cups.

Why You’ll Love This English Toffee Recipe

Thanks to one of my besties RHONDA (hey girl!), who shared this awesome English toffee recipe with me years ago. It became a tradition for us to have a holiday candy-making day with our oldest daughters, Natasha (on the left) and my daughter Alyssa (on right).

We usually gave the girls the job of rollingPeanut Butter Buckeyesand wrappinghomemade caramels…you know, the “chores”!

Here’s what makes this English toffee one of my favorites:

• English toffee is typically made in an 11×7 pan, but a few years ago I found a silicone brownie bite pan and it’s all I use now. No more slicing toffee, just pop the toffee bites out and you’re good to go—easy, neat, perfectly portioned pieces!
• If you like Heath Bars, this homemade English toffee is like that, but so much better than store-bought. It’s rich, buttery, and much more nutty.
• Not everyone is a baker! If you struggle to get your Christmas cookies looking just right, switch to candy—it’s a lot easier to make, with fewer details to manage. No more struggling with icing or cookie cutters!

Important Ingredient Notes

• Unsalted butter – There are three dominant flavors in English toffee: butter, nuts, and chocolate.Spring for a good butter!
• Margarine – You may say, “CAN I USE ALL BUTTER?” The answer is yes. However, I find I get reliable results, with no separation of butter and sugar, when I use half margarine. The flavor is still amazing!
• Kosher salt – Salt is important for adding balance to this recipe. If you’d like, you can also sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the melted chocolate.
• Vanilla extract – Aside from the butter, toffee is also vanilla flavored. Use a high-quality pure vanilla, not imitation. Our homemade vanilla would be perfect.
• Milk chocolate– Again, high-quality is important here!
• Nuts – You’ll need both unblanched whole almonds and finely ground walnuts.

How to Make Homemade English Toffee

Prep the Almonds: On a foil lined baking dish or in asilicone brownie bite pan, arrange the almonds in a single layer.

Make the Toffee Mixture:

• In a heavy pan, combine the butter,margarine, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Cook over medium-high heat and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the butter melts. Bring mixture to a rolling boil.
• Continue boiling and stirring for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the candy turns the color of almonds (or reaches about 300 degrees, if you have a candy thermometer).
• Pour the toffee mixture over the almonds. (If you’re using the brownie bite pan, I use a small metal scoop to get toffee into each bite, working quickly!)
• Cool completely.

Finish: Spread the melted chocolate over top of the cooled toffee, then sprinkle with the ground walnuts. Once the chocolate sets, remove from the brownie pan or cut the English toffee into pieces.

Recipe FAQs

More Holiday treats

• Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers
• Peppermint Meringues
• Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
• Peanut Butter Fudge
• Peppermint Bark
• Churro Toffee
• Divinity Candy
• Christmas Crack
• Sugar Cookies– perfect no-spread cut out cookies