Description
Irresistible golden brown toffee delights chocolate lovers with its rich caramel notes. Sweet crystals melt into a luxurious confection that lingers on palates and promises pure indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- 3 tbsps pecans, finely chopped (for garnish)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Sea salt (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×9 inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper. Spread chopped pecans evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine sugar, water, salt, and butter over medium heat. Stir mixture consistently until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Continue heating without stirring, monitoring the temperature carefully until it precisely hits 300°F (hard crack stage). This process typically takes 10-12 minutes.
- Remove pot from heat immediately after reaching target temperature. Swiftly stir in vanilla extract with rapid, smooth motions.
- Quickly pour the molten toffee over the pecan-lined dish. Use a spatula to create an even, smooth layer across the entire surface.
- Sprinkle milk chocolate chips uniformly over the warm toffee. Cover with foil for 4 minutes to allow chocolate to soften completely.
- Gently spread melted chocolate into a thin, consistent layer. Optionally, dust with additional chopped pecans and a delicate sprinkle of sea salt.
- Refrigerate the toffee for at least one hour until fully solidified. Remove from dish and slice into angular, rustic pieces using a sharp knife.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent burning and ensure even heat distribution, which is crucial for achieving the perfect toffee consistency.
- Invest in a reliable candy thermometer to accurately monitor the temperature, as reaching exactly 300°F is critical for creating the signature crisp texture.
- Toast the pecans lightly before adding them to enhance their nutty flavor and provide an extra layer of depth to the toffee’s overall taste profile.
- Opt for high-quality chocolate chips with at least 50% cocoa content to elevate the richness and complexity of the final dessert.
- Keep the toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- For a gluten-free variation, double-check that all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly the chocolate chips and vanilla extract.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 282
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 79 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg