English Toffee is a timeless holiday treat, blending buttery, crunchy candy with layers of milk chocolate and nutty goodness. This recipe takes it a step further by crafting bite-sized portions using a brownie bite pan, making it perfect for gifting or sharing at holiday gatherings. These adorable toffee bites are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Gifting: Individually portioned bites are great for festive treat boxes.
- Rich and Buttery Flavor: A classic toffee taste with a hint of vanilla.
- Simple Ingredients: Easy-to-find pantry staples come together beautifully.
- Fun Presentation: The brownie bite pan creates neat, uniform shapes.
- Customizable: Swap out nuts or add toppings to suit your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup margarine
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounces milk chocolate, melted
- 1 cup unblanched whole almonds
- 1 cup finely ground walnuts
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Candy thermometer (optional, but helpful)
- Foil-lined baking dish (11×7-inch) or silicone brownie bite pan (24 bites)
- Small metal scoop (if using brownie bite pan)
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Prep the Almond Layer
If using a foil-lined baking dish, spread the whole almonds in a single layer across the bottom. For the silicone brownie bite pan, place one almond in each cavity. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Toffee
In a heavy saucepan, combine butter, margarine, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Allow the butter to melt and the mixture to come to a rolling boil.
Once boiling, continue cooking and stirring for 5–7 minutes until the candy reaches a rich almond-colored caramel hue or 300°F (hard crack stage) if using a candy thermometer.
Step 3: Pour the Toffee
Quickly pour the hot toffee over the almonds. If using a brownie bite pan, work fast with a small metal scoop to fill each cavity evenly.
Step 4: Cool Completely
Let the toffee cool and set completely at room temperature for about 1–2 hours.
Step 5: Add the Chocolate Layer
Once the toffee is firm, spread the melted milk chocolate over the top. For the brownie bite pan, you can drizzle chocolate over each bite for easy coating. Sprinkle generously with finely ground walnuts.
Step 6: Optional Double-Sided Coating
If you’d like to coat both sides, allow the top to set, then flip the toffee and repeat the chocolate and walnut process on the bottom.
Step 7: Unmold or Cut
If using a silicone pan, pop out the toffee bites once the chocolate has set. For a baking dish, remove the foil and cut the toffee into desired pieces.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Place the toffee bites in festive containers or on a holiday platter, and enjoy!
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving: These toffee bites are best served at room temperature as a snack or dessert treat.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Dark Chocolate: Replace milk chocolate with dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Nut-Free: Skip the almonds and walnuts, and top with festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes.
- Layered Nuts: Use pecans or hazelnuts instead of almonds or walnuts for a different nutty twist.
- Sea Salt Finish: Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate for a sweet-and-salty balance.
Helpful Notes
- Stirring is essential! Toffee can burn quickly, so keep stirring constantly during cooking.
- Use a candy thermometer for precision. If you don’t have one, the toffee should reach the color of roasted almonds.
- Work quickly when pouring the toffee—it sets rapidly once removed from heat.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Ina Garten: “Use the best quality chocolate you can find—it makes a noticeable difference in flavor.”
- Alton Brown: “A silicone pan is your best friend for candies like toffee. It ensures easy release and perfect shapes.”
- Mary Berry: “Temper the chocolate if you want a glossy finish that doesn’t melt easily when touched.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use all butter instead of margarine?
Yes, you can replace margarine with butter, but the texture may be slightly different. The margarine helps stabilize the toffee.
2. Can I make this without a candy thermometer?
Yes! Watch for the mixture to turn a deep almond-brown color, which indicates it has reached the hard crack stage.
3. What type of chocolate works best?
Milk chocolate chips or high-quality baking chocolate bars melt well and taste delicious in this recipe.
4. Can I skip the nuts?
Absolutely! You can make plain toffee or substitute the nuts with toppings like crushed pretzels or coconut.
5. How do I prevent toffee from sticking to the pan?
Line your pan with foil or use a silicone mold to ensure easy release. Greasing the foil also helps.
With its buttery crunch, creamy chocolate layer, and festive nut topping, English Toffee Bites are the perfect holiday treat. They’re simple to make, irresistibly delicious, and ideal for sharing the joy of the season!
