Description
Homemade Toffee Chunks are a classic buttery candy treat featuring a rich caramelized sugar base with the option to add crunchy nuts or melty chocolate chips. This easy stovetop recipe yields perfectly golden, hard-crack stage toffee pieces that are great for snacking or using as a topping in desserts like cookies, brownies, and ice cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Toffee Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside. This will ensure your toffee doesn’t stick once it cools.
- Melt butter: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter completely, creating the base for your toffee.
- Add sugar and salt: Stir in the granulated sugar and salt into the melted butter, mixing thoroughly to combine.
- Cook toffee mixture: Continue stirring constantly as the mixture heats and begins to bubble. Use a candy thermometer and cook for about 8–10 minutes until the temperature reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) and the toffee deepens to a rich golden amber color. Constant stirring prevents burning and ensures even cooking.
- Remove from heat and add flavor: Take the saucepan off the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
- Pour and spread: Quickly transfer the hot toffee onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out evenly using a spatula before it hardens.
- Add toppings: If desired, sprinkle chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips over the hot toffee, pressing lightly so they stick to the surface.
- Cool and harden: Allow the toffee to cool and harden completely at room temperature for 30–45 minutes.
- Break into chunks: Once set, break the toffee into chunks by hand or using a knife. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- Chop your toffee into smaller bits to use as mix-ins for cookies, brownies, or as a crunchy ice cream topping.
- Stirring constantly during cooking and maintaining medium heat are critical to preventing the toffee from burning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
