Butter Crunch Toffee -this homemade candy recipe is loaded with pecans, sometimes called English toffee, perfect for gift giving.
Today I’m sharing my recipe for Butter Crunch Toffee, affectionately known around here as Christmas Candy, also often called English Toffee, or Pecan Butter Crunch. By any of its names though, it’s totally delicious. It’s Day Four of Christmas Treats Week!
I’m a little late posting today, because I spent the morning volunteering at my daughter’s school teaching them a little Christmas craft -tis the season. Her teacher said the sweetest thing to me as I was leaving, she thanked me for using my gifts to bless them. It really made me smile. It made me think about Life is a Party, and oh how I hope I’m using this little space to be a blessing to you.
The spirit behind a week of Christmas Treats, is really gift giving. It’s special to take the time to make something homemade for family and friends, and I hope that these trusted and true recipes make it easier for you to show your love to the ones around you this holiday season with some edible gifts. Check the treats from the whole week at the bottom of this post.
This is a recipe I’ve been making many, many years. I first started making it when I was in high school, and it has become a real Christmas tradition for us. In fact, my mom makes (well has me make) a batch for all our customers every year. Making this homemade toffee has become an annual event. Once people have tried this buttery toffee with pecans and chocolate, they tend to ask for year after year.
Troubleshooting
It can be a little tricky to make, I have had a few fails over the years, but the failures have taught me a few tricks too. The main issue that can sometimes happen is that the sugar can recrystalize. During the cooking process the sugar crystals can reform and make a grainy toffee that doesn't set properly. The best way to prevent this from happening just brush down the sides of the pan with cold water and pastry brush several times during the cooking process.
I also did once burn the toffee. I have found that the easiest way to make this toffee is by eye. I don't tend to use a candy thermometer for this recipe. I cook the toffee until it's a dark amber. But once... I took it too far and it burnt and the whole batch tasted burnt and I had to throw it out. Once it starts to turn brown and toffee colour and it can burn quite quickly so be sure to stay with it, and have your tray prepared so you can pour it out as soon as it's ready.
Chocolate Topping
I live to pour the toffee over chopped pecans, and then top it with chocolate. I usually use semi sweet chocolate chips. You can use milk chocolate, or dark chocolate if you prefer. The chocolate chips make the process very easy. There's no need to melt the chocolate, just sprinkle it over in an even layer while the buttercrunch toffee is still very hot, and the heat from the toffee will melt the chocolate chips, Use an offset spatula to spread it all evenly, and then sprinkle it with some very finely chopped pecans to finish it off.
Other Options
We love the pecan, toffee, and chocolate combination, but you can change up the combination if you'd life to with different great options. Use any nuts that you like. Whole almonds are a great choice too for almond butter crunch or homemade almond roca. We usually go for unsalted, but if you like the salty sweet combination, you can try salty nuts, or even add a little salt to the top of the chocolate. Or you can leave the nuts all together and make a homemade Heath candy bar. When it comes to the chocolate coating on top you can use semisweet chocolate like we did, or try milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate or a combination of them. And if you just love toffee, you could even make a batch of just the crunchy toffee.
We like to chop the nuts by hand, instead of in a food processor. It just gives you better control, and helps to not over chop the nuts. We want nice chunky pieces for the bottom and not over processed nut dust.
This candy is perfect for gift giving. I love to package it up in a little tin, a mason jar, or a cello bag. Your friends and family will love it. It’s also a great addition to holiday cookie trays. It would also be a lovely gift for Valentine's Day. I also like to make a batch sometimes as a party favor. I just put the candy mixture into small cellophane bags, and tie it with some ribbon to coordinate with my party color scheme. Everyone always loves this little gift.
Recipe
Butter Crunch Toffee
Ingredients
- 2 cups butter
- ⅔ cups water
- 2 cups white sugar
- 4 cups chopped pecans
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray, and spread out the chopped pecans, reserving about ½ cup of chopped pecans which are really finely chopped to use on the top at the end.
- Melt butter and water in a large heavy saucepan. Add the sugar to the melted butter and water, and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the sugar is fully dissolved. Occasionally brush the inside of the pot down with cold water, using a pastry brush, to help prevent the candy from recrystallization. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally until the candy turns a dark amber. Be careful not to burn it though.
- Pour the candy evenly over the nuts in the prepared pan. Use an offset spatula dipped in cold water so it doesn't stick to smooth the toffee mixture out and completely cover the nuts. Be careful as you work, as it's very hot.
- While the candy is still hot, cover completely with chocolate chips. As they melt, use an offset spatula to spread the chocolate layer evenly. Sprinkle the top of the layer of chocolate with the reserved finely chopped pecans. Let it harden, and then break into small pieces. Let set at room temperature. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
With Butter Crunch Toffee Candy, life really is a party!
More Homemade Candy Inspiration
Check out all these other posts from our Christmas Treat Week:
Homemade Caramel Corn recipe here.
Creamy Caramels and Chocolate Salted Caramels recipe here.
Homemade Caramel Apples recipe here.
Homemade Coffee Marshmallows recipe here.
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