Description
Homemade Christmas Toffee is the ultimate holiday candy—rich, buttery, crisp, and topped with smooth melted chocolate and toasted nuts. This easy recipe creates the perfect sweet-and-salty treat for gifting, dessert platters, or festive food ideas. Whether you’re looking for a quick holiday dessert, an easy homemade candy recipe, or Christmas treat ideas for parties, this crunchy toffee delivers every time. Made with simple pantry staples, this buttery toffee reaches the perfect hard crack stage, then gets layered with silky chocolate and crunchy almonds for a classic holiday finish. It’s ideal for Christmas dessert tables, edible gifts, and make-ahead sweets that everyone loves.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1 cup toasted almonds, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside. Measure all ingredients in advance to ensure a smooth cooking process.
2. Toast the almonds in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–8 minutes until fragrant. Let cool and roughly chop if needed.
3. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and sugar together, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
4. Continue cooking and stirring for 8–12 minutes until the mixture turns a deep golden amber color and reaches 300°F (150°C) at the hard crack stage.
5. Remove from heat and carefully stir in the vanilla extract and salt. The mixture will bubble briefly.
6. Immediately pour the hot toffee onto the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly with a spatula.
7. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Let sit for 2–3 minutes until softened, then spread into a smooth layer.
8. Sprinkle toasted almonds over the melted chocolate and gently press them in. Finish with flaky sea salt if desired.
9. Allow the toffee to cool completely at room temperature for 1–2 hours, or refrigerate for 30–45 minutes until fully hardened.
10. Break into irregular pieces and serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching and ensure even caramelization.
Stir constantly and avoid high heat to prevent butter separation.
Allow the toffee to cool completely before breaking to maintain a clean chocolate layer and crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg