British · Holiday Specials

English Toffee

Crisp, buttery, golden toffee, cooked to the hard-crack stage, then coated in melted dark chocolate and chopped almonds. A homemade Christmas gift, broken in shards.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 35 min hands on plus 1 hr Setting Serves 24 servings Medium
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How to Make English Toffee

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  1. Line a 20 x 30 cm baking tray with baking parchment or a silicone mat.

  2. Melt the butter in a heavy 3-litre saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar, water, syrup and salt and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Clip a sugar thermometer to the side of the pan.

  3. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for about 20 minutes, until the mixture is the colour of light caramel and reaches 150°C / 300°F on the thermometer.

  4. Pour the toffee onto the lined tray immediately and spread it into an even layer about 5 mm thick, tilting the tray if you need to.

  5. Wait 2 minutes, then scatter the chopped chocolate over the hot toffee. When it has softened, after about 3 minutes, spread it into a smooth layer with a spatula.

  6. Sprinkle with the almonds and press gently. Leave to set for 1 hour, then break into shards.

Tips for Making English Toffee

  • Use a thermometer. The colour changes fast near the end, and only the temperature tells you when the toffee will be crisp instead of sticky.
  • Stir the whole time. Butter toffee can split into a greasy layer, and constant stirring keeps it smooth.
  • Work on a dry day. Humid air makes toffee sticky, and it will soften in storage.

What to Serve with English Toffee

  • Hot coffee
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Christmas gift tin

Storing & Reheating English Toffee

Keeps in an airtight tin for up to 2 weeks, in layers separated by baking parchment. Keep cool and dry; do not refrigerate, as it can turn sticky.

English Toffee FAQ: Common Questions

How long does English Toffee take to make?

About 35 minutes of hands-on work — 10 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour of Setting, so allow 1 hour 35 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 24.

What are the key tips for making English Toffee?

Use a thermometer. The colour changes fast near the end, and only the temperature tells you when the toffee will be crisp instead of sticky. Stir the whole time. Butter toffee can split into a greasy layer, and constant stirring keeps it smooth. Work on a dry day. Humid air makes toffee sticky, and it will soften in storage.

What should I serve with English Toffee?

Hot coffee; Vanilla ice cream; Christmas gift tin.

How should English Toffee be stored?

Keeps in an airtight tin for up to 2 weeks, in layers separated by baking parchment. Keep cool and dry; do not refrigerate, as it can turn sticky.

Is English Toffee suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free and low-carb. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in English Toffee?

About 146 kcal per serving, with 1 g protein, 13 g carbohydrate and 10 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

English Toffee Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

146Calories
1gProtein
13gCarbs
10gFat
1gFibre
12gSugar
20mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.