Easy Christmas Toffee

Do you have a favorite recipe that you make only at Christmas time?  I have a few, but the family favorite is toffee!  This recipe came from a high school friend's family and I think of them when I make it. I make it "my way", which means I don't follow common candy making rules--Martha I a'int!  With a few simple ingredients, you can be enjoying this sweet treat in no time.

English Toffee
1 C. butter
1 C. sugar
2 Tbsp. water
chopped almonds--approx. 1/2 cup
chocolate--3 or 4 Hershey's bars or a 1 C. of chocolate chips

Note:  Pictures show a DOUBLE batch, recipe is for a single batch.  I recommend making a single batch until you become a toffee aficionado as it can be quirky.

Start by chopping some almonds and sprinkling them on a pan (this sad old pizza pan is 25 years old--a wedding gift).

Over medium to medium high heat, melt 1 cup of butter--the real stuff!  I use a large skillet to make the toffee in--the bigger the surface area, the better.  I am sure a heavy copper bottomed pan would be considered best, but I use what I have.   

Add 1 cup of sugar (my sugar may look funky--it is organic, raw sugar) and 2 TBSP of water. Stir with a wooden spoon.

As it starts to boil, stir occasionally, but not constantly.

It will foam and start to turn colors.  i did not wash down the sugar off the sides--I think I am supposed to, but I do not.

I also do not use a candy thermometer.  I do use the cold water test--dropping a bit of the boiling mixture in cold water--when it cracks it is done.  

I go on color mostly, and smell.  It will smell like it is SLIGHTLY burning--watch carefully at this stage and will turn a deep caramel color.  When it gets to this stage, I test it often.  The biggest mistake I make is pulling it off the heat too soon.  It usually takes about 15 minutes.

When it is a good color and cracks in ice cold water, pull it off and pour over chopped almonds.

I top mine with Hershey's chocolate bars--6 for a double batch.

Lick melted chocolate off spatula.

Sprinkle with more chopped almonds.

Wait patiently for chocolate to harden--I do not recommend putting it in the fridge or freezer to speed up this process--it makes the chocolate not stick to the toffee.

Enjoy!!