Make this buttery homemade toffee recipe topped with melted chocolate and crunchy nuts in just minutes. This classic candy is the perfect treat for holiday platters or gifting.

Buttery homemade toffee broke into pieces and placed on a white plate for serving.

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An Easy Foolproof Toffee Recipe

This homemade toffee is an easy Christmas candy recipe we make every year. It’s crisp, buttery, topped with melted chocolate and nuts, and comes together fast with simple ingredients.

A candy thermometer makes things even easier, but I’ll share tips so you can make it without one too. If you love toffee treats, try my toffee cookies, saltine cracker toffee and toffee apple dip, too.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Simple and reliable. This homemade toffee is foolproof and perfect for beginners. Follow my tips and you’ll have the best classic toffee every time.
  • Tasty. Homemade English toffee is sweet with the most incredible flavor. It’s the perfect gift any time of year just like my old fashioned hard candy!

Ingredient Notes

Toffee recipe ingredients including butter, sugar, salt, vanilla and chocolate chips.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Butter: Salted butter works best. I like to chop it up until cubes before adding to the pan so that it melts quicker and more evenly.
  • White sugar: White granulated sugar is best for this recipe.
  • Vanilla: I recommend a high-quality pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
  • Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips are my favorites that make it taste like a Skor candy bar. Dark chocolate or white chocolate could be used.
  • Pecans: Chop the pecans into small pieces before using. You may also use chopped almonds or cashews if preferred.
  • Salt: Adding a hint of salt along with salted butter is the perfect compliment to the sweet, caramelized flavor.

How to Make Toffee

Showing how to make homemade toffee in a 6 step photo collage.
  1. Boil. Add butter, sugar, water, and salt to a saucepan with a heavy bottom and bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Keep a close eye on the toffee as it cooks (don’t walk away).
  2. Make caramel. It will pale in yellow color, then deepen into a rich caramel tone. The candy thermometer should read 285°F (a minute or two after I took the above picture). Be careful not to let the mixture get too dark, or it will have a burned taste.
  3. Stir. Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla. The mixture will be bubbly and incredibly hot. Carefully pour mixture onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, and cool for 5 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle. Sprinkle the toffee with chocolate chips and rest 10 minutes.
  5. Spread. Spread melted chocolate chips over toffee with an offset spatula.
  6. Toppings. Sprinkle chopped pecans top of the melted chocolate. Almonds, peanuts or walnuts would also be yummy! Cool completely, then break into pieces and enjoy!
Finished toffee recipe spread out on parchment paper topped with chocolate and pecans.

Recipe Tips

  • Tools: Investing in a quality candy thermometer and heavy-bottom saucepan is well worth it for best toffee recipe results.
  • No candy thermometer? Test the hard crack stage by dropping a small spoonful of hot toffee into a cup of ice-cold water. If it hardens and snaps, it’s ready.
  • Patience: Avoid the temptation to turn up the heat to speed up the process! You will end up burning the toffee.
  • Avoid making on a humid day: Toffee hardens by releasing moisture, so humidity may make it soft if there is too much moisture in the air. Wait to make on a dry day.
  • Quality ingredients: There are 7 ingredients and that includes salt and nuts. Quality butter and real vanilla extract make a difference. Avoid using margarine as is contains too much water content.
Golden crunchy toffee recipe topped with chocolate and pecans on a baking sheet ready for holiday gifting.

More candy recipes to try include Microwave caramels, Christmas crack toffee and peanut brittle!

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Best toffee recipe on a white plate.

Homemade Toffee Recipe

4.98 from 161 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cool Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 20
This rich and buttery homemade toffee recipe takes only thirty minutes to make and is super easy, too! Perfect for parties, holiday gifts, and snacking!
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup salted butter , cut into pieces
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semi-sweet)
  • 2-4 Tablespoons chopped pecans , or almonds

Instructions

  • Prep. Line a 9X13" pan with parchment paper.
  • Melt butter and sugar. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan add 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 Tablespoons water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt over medium-low heat. Stir frequently with a wooden spoon until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Leave the spoon in the pot and clip on a candy thermometer, if desired, being careful to not let it touch the bottom.
  • Stir. Stirring only occasionally, simmer until the caramel is a deep amber color and the thermometer reads 285°-290°F (takes about 20 minutes). You can go to 300 for a harder crack. Immediately remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
  • Pour into pan. Pour onto the baking sheet and let it spread. Cool 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 cup chocolate chips and let sit 10 minutes.
  • Spread chocolate and add nuts. Spread the melted chocolate with an offset spatula and sprinkle with 2-4 Tablespoons pecans.
  • Cool. Cool completely before breaking into pieces. Enjoy!

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Crack: I like mine at about 285, however if you want a harder crack you can go up to 300. You can test a little spoonful in a glass full of ice water to reach your desired consistency. 
Humidity: Toffee won’t properly set and may be a a bit chewy on really humid days., so try to make this recipe on day that is a bit colder or cooler.  
Storage: Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag up to 2 weeks. I like to layer the toffee between wax paper to prevent sticking. 
Freeze: You may also freeze the toffee in freezer-safe container up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 173kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Sodium: 124mg, Potassium: 7mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 304IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Variations

  • Swap the chocolate for dark chocolate or white chocolate.
  • Chocolate bars: Use three Hershey’s bars in place of the chocolate chips. It really gives it a candy bar essence.
  • Add spice to the chocolate: cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, or even things like chai spice.
  • Disney inspired: Make my churro toffee recipe coated in white chocolate and cinnamon sugar!
  • Go nuts with something other than pecans or almonds. Cashews work really well, too.  Sprinkle the nuts on the bottom of the pan instead of over top.

Recipe FAQs

Do I have to use a candy thermometer?

No, some people use the hard crack test or just know by the color. If this your first time making it though or you want to ensure foolproof results, I highly recommend it.

What if my toffee starts to seperate?

This could happen especially if you have used margarine that has too much water content or have used a butter that has butterfat over 80% (like a European-style butter).

If it starts to seperate, try slowing stirring one Tablespoon of water in at a time until it comes back together. If you are still having trouble, use a thicker based, heavy bottomed saucepan.

How can I use the homemade toffee bits?

If you’re looking for a way to use up leftovers, try adding them into cookies, brownies, bars, trifles or even on top of cupcakes. Chop into toffee bits similar to a Heath bar bit, then fold them into the dough or sprinkle on top. The toffee adds the perfect chocolate and caramel flavor!

How to store homemade toffee?

Place it in an airtight container or zip-top bag. I like to layer my toffee between wax paper sheets to prevent sticking. Depending on how big your pieces are, you may need to use two containers or bags.

This candy is good for at least two weeks if stored at room temperature. If your home is a bit on the warm side or if you’re holding onto it for gift-giving, I would store it in the fridge. It should last for a couple more weeks if you stick in the refrigerator!

Can I freeze homemade toffee?

Yes, I love snacking on frozen homemade toffee when craving a sweet chocolate treat. To store in freezer, place in an airtight container or bag. It should keep in the freezer for a couple of months.