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Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a truly decadent treat, let me introduce you to this beloved Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe. I absolutely love how the buttery toffee combines with rich chocolate and crunchy pecans— it’s the perfect mix of sweet and nutty that’s impossible to resist. When I first tried making this at home, I was amazed by how simple the ingredients were and how that made the end result feel so special. Stick around, because I’m going to share everything you need to know to nail this toffee in your kitchen, minus the guesswork!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples you probably already have, no need for fancy extras.
  • Perfect Texture: The toffee comes out perfectly crisp, with just the right crunch from pecans and smoothness from melted chocolate.
  • Impressively Easy: Even if you’ve never made candy before, I’ll walk you through every step for guaranteed success.
  • Family Favorite: This recipe always has my crew asking for more, and I bet yours will too!

Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how these ingredients work together to create that classic toffee flavor and texture. Just be sure to grab good quality butter and fresh pecans—you’ll taste the difference. If you can get semisweet chocolate chips you enjoy on their own, you’re halfway there.

Flat lay of two sticks of unsalted butter with pale yellow creamy texture, a small white bowl filled with fine white granulated sugar, a simple white bowl holding glossy semisweet chocolate chips, and a small white bowl containing freshly chopped pecans with warm brown tones, arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans, Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans, Easy Toffee Recipe with Chocolate and Pecans, Crunchy Toffee with Nuts, Decadent Toffee Treats
  • Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter here lets you control the saltiness; plus, it browns beautifully for that deep toffee flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: The backbone of the toffee’s sweetness and structure—don’t substitute with brown sugar as it changes the texture.
  • Semisweet Chocolate Chips: These melt smoothly to create the perfect chocolate topping; feel free to use good-quality chips for a richer taste.
  • Pecans: Finely chopped pecans add a wonderful crunch and nutty depth; you can toast them lightly beforehand for an extra layer of flavor.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I personally enjoy mixing things up here and there, so feel free to tweak this recipe to match your mood or occasion. Trust me, playing with add-ins or swap-outs can lead to some seriously delicious discoveries.

  • Nut Swap: Sometimes I swap pecans for almonds or walnuts – both bring a unique crunch that’s just as delightful.
  • Dark Chocolate: If you like a richer, less sweet chocolate kick, try using dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet.
  • Add Sea Salt: Sprinkling a little flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate before it sets adds a mouthwatering salty-sweet contrast.
  • Nut-Free Version: For those with allergies, you can skip the nuts or swap in toasted seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for a safe twist.

How to Make Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace

Start by lining a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper—trust me, this step saves you from a sticky mess later. Keep your candy thermometer handy because managing the temperature is the key to perfect toffee.

Step 2: Cook the Butter and Sugar Mixture

In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat, toss in your unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Stir consistently with a wooden spoon to prevent any scorching. This part takes patience—it usually takes 35 to 45 minutes to hit that magical 285°F mark on your candy thermometer. You’ll notice the mixture change to a dark amber color – that’s your cue. If your sugar is climbing too fast, drop the heat a little so it doesn’t burn—slow and steady wins the race here.

Step 3: Pour and Layer Chocolate

Once your toffee is ready, carefully pour the hot candy mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips evenly over the top. Let it rest for about 1-2 minutes—you’ll see the chocolate soften and melt right on top; this magic time lets you spread it into a smooth, even layer with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

Step 4: Add Pecans and Set

Sprinkle the finely chopped pecans over the melted chocolate and gently press them in so they stick. Let your masterpiece cool and set for about an hour at room temperature. Once firm, break it up into pieces—this is the fun and satisfying part!

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Pro Tips for Making Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe

  • Patience Pays Off: Resist the urge to rush the cooking; slow heating ensures your toffee won’t burn and develops that lovely amber hue.
  • Use a Candy Thermometer: I learned the hard way that temperature control is everything—don’t guess, measure!
  • Even Chocolate Spread: Let chocolate chips melt just enough before spreading; it makes smoothing out easier and more even.
  • Avoid Moisture: Store your toffee away from humid environments to keep it crisp and prevent it from getting sticky.

How to Serve Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe

The image shows a white tray filled with layered candy pieces. Each piece has three layers: a shiny golden caramel layer in the middle, a smooth dark brown chocolate layer on top, and a crunchy topping of crushed nuts scattered over the chocolate. One piece is turned to show its thick caramel layer, while some other pieces are stacked, showing a mix of textures and colors. The tray is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans, Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans, Easy Toffee Recipe with Chocolate and Pecans, Crunchy Toffee with Nuts, Decadent Toffee Treats

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and just sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top once the chocolate sets—it adds a professional touch and contrasts the sweetness perfectly. Sometimes, I also dust with a little cocoa powder or add an extra handful of chopped pecans for crunch before serving.

Side Dishes

This toffee pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a warm cup of coffee or tea—great for dessert spreads or holiday gatherings. My family also loves it crumbled over yogurt for a sweet, crunchy surprise.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like arranging homemade toffee pieces in a pretty glass jar tied with a ribbon for gifting. Another fun idea: layer broken toffee in clear treat bags with festive sprinkles for holiday parties. Presentation really amps up the excitement!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftover toffee pieces in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them perfectly crisp and fresh for about a week, which works great since ours usually disappear fast!

Freezing

If I’m making a big batch, I’ll sometimes freeze portions wrapped tightly in parchment and then foil. When frozen this way, the toffee holds up well for about 2-3 months—just thaw to room temp before serving.

Reheating

You generally don’t reheat toffee, but if it loses its snap, letting it sit out at room temp for a bit usually restores its texture. If needed, a quick blast in a warm oven (around 200°F for just a few minutes) helps refresh it without melting the chocolate.

FAQs

  1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

    Yes, but I recommend reducing or skipping any additional salt toppings if you do. Unsalted butter helps you have better control over the flavor balance and sweetness of the toffee.

  2. What if I don’t have a candy thermometer?

    While not ideal, you can use the cold water test to check doneness: drop a small bit of the cooked sugar mixture into cold water and try to form it into a hard ball. But a candy thermometer really makes this foolproof!

  3. Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?

    Absolutely! Almonds, walnuts, or even macadamia nuts work wonderfully and add their own twist to the texture and flavor.

  4. How long does homemade toffee last?

    Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, your toffee should stay fresh and delicious for up to one week.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe is genuinely one of my all-time favorites to make and share. It’s simple but feels luxurious and nostalgic all at once. The combination of buttery toffee, rich chocolate, and toasted pecans creates something that’s both special and comforting. Honestly, once you try it, you might never go back to store-bought again. So grab your ingredients, let’s make some kitchen magic—you’ll be so glad you did!

Print
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Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 87 reviews
  • Author: Jasmine
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 32 pieces
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This classic Homemade Toffee recipe delivers a rich, buttery hard candy topped with melted semisweet chocolate and crunchy pecans. Perfectly balanced sweetness and nutty flavor make it an irresistible treat ideal for gifting or indulging.


Ingredients

Toffee Base

  • 2 cups (4 sticks / 454 g) Challenge unsalted butter
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar

Topping

  • 2 cups (336 g) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (109 g) pecans, finely chopped


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy removal of the toffee once set.
  2. Cook the Toffee Mixture: In a medium heavy-bottom saucepan set over medium heat, combine the unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon to prevent burning. Cook the mixture until it reaches 285°F on a candy thermometer, indicating a hard crack stage and a deep amber color. This process takes about 35 to 45 minutes; be patient and adjust heat as needed to avoid burning.
  3. Pour and Top: Carefully pour the hot toffee mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it evenly to cover the surface. Immediately sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee so they soften and melt. Let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Spread the Chocolate: Using a spatula, gently spread the melted chocolate over the toffee in an even layer, ensuring complete coverage.
  5. Add Pecans: Sprinkle the finely chopped pecans evenly on top of the melted chocolate, pressing them gently to set into the surface.
  6. Set the Toffee: Allow the toffee to cool and harden at room temperature for about 1 hour until fully set and firm to the touch.
  7. Serve: Once set, break the toffee into bite-sized pieces to serve.
  8. Store: Store the toffee pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and crunch.

Notes

  • Homemade English Toffee is a sweet and addicting treat made with a hard candy layer topped with chocolate and chopped pecans for a nutty crunch.
  • Use a reliable candy thermometer to ensure the toffee reaches the correct temperature.
  • Allow the toffee to cool completely before breaking to avoid melting or crumbling.
  • Variations include using different types of nuts like almonds or walnuts, or experimenting with dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 20 g)
  • Calories: 200 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 20 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg

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