Old Fashioned English Toffee Recipes

CLASSIC ENGLISH TOFFEE RECIPE

Steps:

• Line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt.
• Let the butter melt and sugar dissolve and then bring to a simmer, then cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, so the butter and sugar don't separate, until mixture turns dark amber, 15 - 20 minutes or 285ºF on a candy thermometer. Note: if your toffee is still pale at this temperature then continue to simmer until you reach the color in the video.
• Pour toffee mixture into the prepared baking sheet and set aside to harden for 20 minutes.
• Gently melt the chocolate and using a spatula spread it thinly and evenly over the hard candy. Sprinkle the chopped almonds and pecans all over the wet chocolate.
• Refrigerate to JUST set the chocolate, about 1 hour. Then remove from the fridge and break into pieces and enjoy. Store the toffee at room temperature in an airtight container. Note: Don't store the toffee for too long in the fridge as it will make the toffee damp and not as crisp.

ENGLISH TOFFEE

Steps:

• Butter a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
• Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir in sugar and water. Bring to a boil and add almonds. Cook, stirring constantly until nuts are toasted and the sugar is golden. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan; do not spread.
• Immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Let stand for a minute, then spread the chocolate over the top. Let cool completely, then break into pieces.

OLD FASHIONED MACINTOSH TOFFEE

Steps:

• Grease an 8" cake pan.
• In a large heavy saucepan, soften the butter.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium high heat.
• Candy thermometer should reach 260 degrees or hard ball.
• Stir constantly as it will stick to the pan easily.
• Pour into pan quickly and cool.
• You may make a softer toffee by decreasing cooking time slightly.

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH TOFFEE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 325 F.
• Toast the nuts by spreading them on a cookie sheet and placing them in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes. Stir them every 3 to 4 minutes, and remove them once they darken and become fragrant. Let the nuts cool to room temperature.
• Chop the toasted nuts finely with a knife or food processor .
• Prepare a 12x16 inch cookie sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
• Combine the butter, sugar, water, corn syrup, and salt in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly to dissolve the sugar and melt the butter. Insert a candy thermometer and bring the candy to a boil, periodically brushing down the sides with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystallization.
• Continue to cook the candy, stirring frequently, until it reaches 300 F, and begins to caramelize-about 20 to 30 minutes. If the candy appears to separate (with a layer of melted butter on top) stir vigorously to make it come back together again. Watch the candy as it approaches 300 F since it cooks quickly and can scorch at high temperatures.
• Once the candy reaches 300 F, remove from heat and pour it onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula or spoon to spread the candy to an even thickness. Allow the toffee to begin to set, then spray a knife with nonstick cooking spray and score the toffee into small squares or rectangles. Allow the toffee to cool completely.
• Once the toffee is cool, break it apart on the scored lines into small squares. The toffee can be left plain, or dipped in chocolate.
• To dip the toffee in chocolate, begin by melting the chocolate . Place it in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it in one-minute increments, stirring after every minute to prevent overheating.
• Dip each piece of toffee in the chocolate, either submerging it completely or dipping it halfway in, according to your preference. Place dipped toffee pieces on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle the top generously with chopped nuts. Repeat with remaining toffee, chocolate, and nuts.
• Place the toffee in the refrigerator to set the chocolate, about 20 minutes. Once set, toffee can be served immediately.

ENGLISH TREACLE TOFFEE

Steps:

• Place the butter, water, and vinegar into a heavy bottomed suacepan, heat gently until the butter has melted.
• Add the sugar and molasses and allow to dissolve (takes about 20 minutes).
• Boil the mixture to a temp.
• of 280 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Remove from the heat, allow bubbling to decrease.
• Pour the mixture into a well greased 8 inch square pan.
• When mixture has cooled, score surface into small squares with an oiled knife.
• When cold break into squares, wrap in cellophane and store in an airtight container.