Homemade Toffee Recipe (with almonds) (2024)

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My Homemade Toffee Recipe is a fun and easy candy that is perfect for the holidays or whenever you’re craving a crunchy, sweet treat. This homemade toffee recipe is topped with a chocolate peanut butter swirl and chopped almonds – I’m telling you step-by-step how to make it, so it turns out perfectly every time.

This is my husband’s FAVORITE and it’s on every single cookie platter every year!

Homemade candy is so fun to make, and there’s nothing better than toffee! If you’ve never made candy before, it’s a great recipe to start with.

Best Toffee Recipe EVER

Toffee has a rich, buttery, caramel flavor, and my version has a chocolate peanut butter topping with nuts. Unlike English toffee, which is made with brown sugar, this recipe is made with granulated sugar. It’s my go-to toffee recipe that is perfect for the holiday season or any time you want a batch of buttery candy to share with family and friends.

Does toffee have nuts?

Traditionally, it does. The nuts are sprinkled over the top and not mixed into the toffee. If you are worried about nut allergies, you can make a nut-free version and top it with chocolate.

In this version I also add peanut butter to the coating but it’s not required so you can leave it out if you want.

What is toffee made of?

You don’t need any complicated ingredients – toffee is made with just a few simple things you might already have in your kitchen. I give mine a peanut butter twist that takes it over the top.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Butter: I always use unsalted butter
• Sugar: Granulated sugar is traditional in English toffee
• Water and Light corn syrup are required for the chemistry of the toffee to work
• Vanilla and Salt: for flavoring
• Chocolate chips: to coat the toffee in chocolate at the end
• Creamy peanut butter: optional for topping
• Chopped almonds: optional for topping

Pro Tips for Making my Homemade Toffee Recipe

There are a few tips to consider before you make toffee – follow them, and you’ll have the best batch of toffee when you’re done!

• Review the recipe:Read through the whole recipe first. This is a good tip for baking in general, but especially for toffee. It’s easier to make when you’ve reviewed the recipe first!
• Have all of your equipment ready:a 9×13″ baking pan lined with foil, cooking spray or parchment paper, 2-quart saucepan, a candy thermometer, and offset spatula (or knife).
• Yes, you need a candy thermometer!Candy making requires precision with temperature, and a candy thermometer takes all of the guess work out.
• Minimize distractions:Making toffee is not hard, but it requires all of your attention. So, give yourself time to focus on it and avoid distractions.

The tips sound serious, but I promise making toffee is fun!

Equipment You’ll Need

• 9×13″ baking pan for the toffee
• Tinfoil or parchment paper for the pan
• 2-quart saucepan for cooking the candy
• Candy thermometer for monitoring the temperature of the candy while it cooks
• Offset spatula for spreading the chocolate
• A small microwave-safe bowl for warming the peanut butter

Prepare the Pan

Line a 9×13″ pan with foil or parchment paper and coat it with cooking spray. The piece foil (or parchment) should be big enough to drape over the sides. You can use them to lift the candy out once it’s set. Do this first before anything else because once the candy is at temperature, you will need to quickly pour it into the pan.

Make the Toffee

Melting: In the saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the sugar, water, and corn syrup and stir. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Stir gently, so the sugar doesn’t splash onto the side of the pan. This can cause the sugar to crystallize and will make your toffee grainy.

Cooking: Place the thermometer in the pan and continue stirring until the mixture’s temperature reaches 290°F, the soft crack stage. This will take about 10 to 14 minutes.

IMPORTANT: While you’re waiting for it to come to temperature, don’t leave the stove. You need to keep a close eye on it because you may need to adjust the heat. In the last five minutes, the temperature will rise quickly, so don’t leave it alone.

Add in flavor: As soon as the temperature is 290°F, turn off the heat. Quickly add the vanilla and salt, stir, and then pour the candy into the prepared pan.

Add the Toppings and Let it Set

Chocolate: Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. The heat from the candy will melt them, which will take about two minutes. While they’re melting, warm the peanut butter in the microwave to thin it.

Peanut Butter (if using) and Nuts: Use the offset spatulas to spread the melted chocolate chips over the top of the toffee. Drizzle the warm peanut butter over the top and use the spatula to swirl it with the chocolate. Sprinkle the nuts over the top.

Setting: Let the toffee sit out at room temperature for three hours so it can set. Lift the candy out using the excess foil or parchment hanging over the sides as handles. Once it’s out of the pan, peel the foil off.

Storing: Break the toffee into pieces and then store them in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Variations

Once you know how to make it, it’s easy to switch up the recipe to create a new version!

• You can swirl the peanut (which is what you see in the photos), or you can skip it and just top yours with chocolate.
• Change up the nuts – I love it topped with almonds or use chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, peanuts, or skip the nuts!
• Add a drizzle of melted white chocolate or almond bark over the top if you’re feeling fancy. Just melt the chocolate in the microwave and then use a spoon to drizzle it over the top of the toffee.

Don’t Forget These Tips!

Anyone can make this recipe – just remember these essential tips:

• Don’t leave it to chance – use a candy thermometer!
• Have everything prepped and ready to go – the recipe moves fast, and having everything ready will make it much more manageable.
• Have fun! Homemade toffee is such a special treat – everyone will love it!

It’s buttery and crunchy, and the peanut butter and chocolate add the perfect salty-sweet flavor. I dare you to eat just one piece. You won’t be able, too!

Other Candy Recipes

• Graham Cracker Toffee
• Maple Walnut Truffles
• Kit Kat Fudge

This homemade Toffee Recipe is topped with a chocolate peanut butter swirl and chopped almonds – I’m showing you step-by-step how to make it, so it turns out perfectly every time.

Last Updated on November 17, 2020