Indulge your sweet tooth with this irresistibly delicious Better Than Anything Toffee recipe, a perfect blend of crunchy, buttery goodness and silky chocolate. Ideal for both novice and experienced bakers, this recipe combines simple ingredients like pecans, butter, sugar, and chocolate chips to create a mouth-watering treat. The process involves creating a rich toffee base, sprinkled with chopped pecans, and topped with a smooth layer of melted chocolate. By following a few straightforward steps and utilizing a candy thermometer, you’ll achieve the perfect “hard crack” stage for your toffee, ensuring that every bite is a delightful crunch. After a brief cooling period in the refrigerator, you’ll be ready to break the toffee into bite-sized pieces and enjoy. Whether you’re making this for a special occasion or as a delightful treat for yourself, this Better Than Anything Toffee recipe is sure to impress.
Ingredients
- Pecans: 1 cup, coarsely chopped
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (equivalent to 2 sticks), use a high-quality brand like Challenge for best results
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
- Kosher Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Milk Chocolate Chips: 1 cup
Equipment Needed
- 9-inch square baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Cooking spray
- Heavy-bottomed 3-quart pot
- Candy thermometer
- Offset spatula (for spreading chocolate)
- Knife (for cutting toffee)
- Cutting board or solid surface
Instructions
- Preparation of Baking Dish:
- Spray the 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
- Line the dish with parchment paper for easy removal of the toffee later.
- Pecan Layer:
- Spread the coarsely chopped pecans in a single layer on top of the parchment paper. This will form the base of your toffee.
- Toffee Mixture:
- Combine 1 cup of unsalted butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt in a heavy-bottomed 3-quart pot.
- Place the pot over medium-low heat.
- Stir frequently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil.
- Cooking the Toffee:
- Once boiling, reduce the frequency of stirring. Stir occasionally, slowly and evenly.
- Cook until the candy reaches 290°F to 300°F, known as the “hard crack” stage on a candy thermometer.
- Keep a close eye on the temperature to avoid burning.
- Adding Vanilla:
- After reaching the desired temperature, remove the pot from heat.
- Gently stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Combining with Pecans:
- Carefully pour the hot toffee mixture over the chopped pecans in the prepared baking dish.
- Adding Chocolate:
- Let the toffee sit undisturbed for a few minutes.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of milk chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee.
- Cover the dish with foil and let it sit for about 5 minutes to soften the chocolate chips.
- Spreading Chocolate:
- Remove the foil.
- Use an offset spatula to gently spread the softened chocolate into an even layer over the toffee.
- Cooling the Toffee:
- Place the dish in the refrigerator and allow the toffee to cool completely. This should take at least 2 hours.
- Cutting the Toffee:
- Lift the toffee out of the baking dish using the parchment paper.
- Place it on a cutting board or a solid surface.
- Use a knife to break the toffee into smaller pieces.
- Storing:
- Store the toffee pieces in an airtight container.
- Keep them in a cool place to maintain their crispness.
Enjoy your homemade “Better Than Anything Toffee” as a special treat or share it with friends and family! It’s perfect for holidays, gifts, or a sweet snack.
Leave a Comment