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Sweet, buttery toffee coated in milk chocolate and ground almonds make this Butter Toffee recipe one of the best holiday treats ever. This melt-in-your-mouth buttercrunch is absolutely AMAZING and perfect for gifts (if you can stand to give it away)!
This recipe was originally published in December 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.
My mom has been making this Butter Toffee recipe for as long as I can remember and it's always been an all-time favorite of mine. I used to get so disappointed as she packaged it up to give it away as gifts. So sad.
But FINALLY I learned to make it on my own during as recent trip out to visit my parents in Anna, TX. And I am so excited. Because this stuff is the best guys.
THE BEST. So buttery and chocolaty and extra special with the almonds, and my own touch, just a sprinkle of sea salt on top....mmmmmm. I'm so excited to be sharing this with you guys.
And even with my lack of baking skills, I am able to make this. The key is to pay attention to what you're doing and follow all the steps. It's definitely not hard.
**If you're looking for more gift ideas, try these Chocolate Covered Orange Peels or this Pistachio Baklava**
Jump to:
What is Buttercrunch?
Buttercrunch is not technically toffee, but really, you can call it toffee (i.e. butter toffee, as it has also been called). It has a slightly softer texture than toffee as it is made with slightly less butter. I would describe it as a softer toffee mixed with almonds and topped with melted chocolate and crushed almonds. AKA, the best thing ever.
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The Ingredients
All easy to find ingredients guys. Get them at the grocery store, or buy them through the below Amazon links (affiliate links) if you don't feel like getting off the couch (I feel you - that's how I always feel LOL).
For the almonds, you can buy raw or roasted, but if you buy raw you will need to toast them to use them in this recipe. Personally, I prefer buying them toasted so I can skip the extra step. NOTE: it's ok (even preferred) if they are lightly salted.
Step By Step Instructions
First, grease a 9x13" baking sheet with butter. Melt the butter in a 2 quart saucepan over low heat. In a separate bowl, combine the corn syrup and water and stir to dissolve fully.
Turn the heat to medium and add the sugar, stirring constantly until sugar fully dissolves, about 3-5 minutes. Add the corn syrup and water mixture.
Turn the heat to medium high and continue stirring the mixture constantly until it reaches a temperature of 300 degrees. Mixture will be bubbly and start to thicken.
SIDE NOTE: When I make this recipe, I use a Thermapen MK4 from Thermoworks. This is literally my favorite thermometer ever. It takes only 3 seconds max to give you an incredibly accurate reading. It eliminates the stress of monitoring temperatures for recipes. Note in the photo a Thermopop is being used....I shot these photos at my mom's house to show the process and she uses a Thermopop, which is also a great product from Thermoworks!
Remove from heat and quickly mix in the chopped almonds.
Pour the candy mixture on the greased baking sheet and let it spread out. It should be about ¼" thick.
Pick up the pan and shake gently back and forth to help the mixture more evenly.
Before it starts to cool, sprinkle the top with the chocolate chips and let them melt for 2-3 minutes.
Spread the melted chocolate with a knife in an even layer over the buttercrunch. OPTIONAL: Sprinkle the top with ½ tsp. of coarse sea salt.
Then sprinkle the top with the ground nuts and gently pat on.
Let the chocolate and butter toffee cool and use a knife to break into pieces.
To speed up the cooling, I typically place it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Just be careful not to leave it in there too long or the chocolate will become too hard and separate from the toffee.
Tools Used
- Thermapen MK4
- 2 Quart non-stick saucepan
- 9x13" baking sheet
- Wooden spoon
Expert Tips
- Make sure to stir the toffee continuously so it doesn't burn.
- Be sure to melt the butter on low heat - higher temperatures can cause it to separate.
- Once the toffee starts to brown (about 10 minutes in), the temperature will rise quickly, so be ready with your thermometer.
- When you pour the toffee on the pan, it should spread to about ¼" thick. Pick up the pan and shake it lightly to help the toffee spread if necessary.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips on as soon as you pour the toffee on the baking sheet. You want to toffee to be warm enough to melt the chocolate so it can be easily spread.
- Don't let the toffee sit in the fridge too long before you break it into pieces, otherwise the chocolate will start to separate from the toffee.
- Store the butter toffee in a covered container in a cool place or the fridge if you live in a hot climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to store toffee? Store the butter toffee in a covered container in a cool place or the fridge. My house tends to be on the warm side, so I store it in the fridge. But I also live in San Diego where it is always hot, so if you live in a cooler part of the country, you can probably just leave it on the counter.
- What's the best kind of chocolate to use for toffee? I find any kind of milk chocolate is great for this recipe. Obviously higher quality chocolate will taste better on the final product.
- Why is my toffee sticky? If you didn't cook it to the correct temperature, it can cause your toffee to be sticky. Also, more humid temperatures can cause your toffee to be stickier.
- Why did my butter separate? If you cook the butter on high heat, it can separate which will ruin your toffee. Make sure to melt it on low before adding the sugar and turning up the heat. It can also separate if you didn't stir the toffee enough - make sure to constantly stir. Using unsalted butter instead of salted can also cause issues with stabilization.
- How do you know when toffee is done? It is done cooking when the temperature has reached 300 degrees. Typically, toffee takes about 30 minutes to harden fully after it's done cooking.
- Can you freeze toffee? After breaking it into pieces, it can be store in a airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the fridge or at room temperature.
More Christmas Gift Ideas
- Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peels;
- Pistachio Baklava;
- Candied Pecans;
- Homemade Apple Chutney or Cranberry Chutney (will require refrigeration);
- Dark Chocolate Truffles (will require refrigeration after a period);
- Candied Cherries or Candied Lemon Slices.
Favorite Holiday Desserts/Treats
- Caramel Apple Galette;
- Pecan Pie Bars;
- Pumpkin Pie Bars;
- Sweet Pumpkin Souffle;
- Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Pie from Sally's Baking Addiction;
- Roasted Chestnuts from She Loves Biscotti.
Did you make this recipe? Rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!
Recipe
Butter Toffee Recipe (Buttercrunch)
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp. corn syrup
- 2 tbsp. water
- ½ cup chopped toasted almonds
- ½ cup ground toasted almonds
- 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13" baking sheet with butter.
- Melt the butter in a 2 quart saucepan over low heat. In a separate bowl, combine the corn syrup and water and stir to dissolve fully.
- Turn the heat to medium and add the sugar, stirring constantly until sugar fully dissolves, about 3-5 minutes. Add the corn syrup and water mixture.
- Turn the heat to medium high and continue stirring the mixture constantly until it reaches a temperature of 300 degrees.
- Remove from heat and quickly mix in the chopped almonds. Pour the candy mixture on the greased baking sheet and let it spread out. It should be about ¼" thick. Pick up the pan and shake gently back and forth to help the mixture more evenly.
- Before it starts to cool too much, sprinkle the top with the chocolate chips and let them melt for 2-3 minutes. Spread the melted chocolate with a knife in an even layer over the buttercrunch. Then sprinkle the top with the ground nuts.
- Then sprinkle the top with the ground nuts, lightly patting them into the chocolate.
- Let the chocolate and butter toffee cool and use a knife to break into pieces. To speed up the cooling, I typically place it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Just be careful not to leave it in there too long or the chocolate will become too hard and separate from the toffee.
- Store in an airtight container on the counter or in the fridge. It should be a cool place.
Expert Tips:
- Make sure to stir the toffee continuously so it doesn't burn.
- Be sure to melt the butter on low heat - higher temperatures can cause it to separate.
- Once the toffee starts to brown (about 10 minutes in), the temperature will rise quickly, so be ready with your thermometer.
- When you pour the toffee on the pan, it should spread to about ¼" thick. Pick up the pan and shake it lightly to help the toffee spread if necessary.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips on as soon as you pour the toffee on the baking sheet. You want to toffee to be warm enough to melt the chocolate so it can be easily spread.
- Don't let the toffee sit in the fridge too long before you break it into pieces, otherwise the chocolate will start to separate from the toffee.
- Store the butter toffee in a covered container in a cool place or the fridge if you live in a hot climate.
Ann Quevillon says
What I really love are the numerous tips and points of advice you generously provide. For instance, I’ve looked at 30-40 buttercrunch recipes and yours is the first to advise using salted butter, and why.
Danielle says
I'm so glad it was helpful for you!
Leissa says
Very good recipe. I added 1 tsp vanilla with the nuts.
Danielle says
Glad you liked it!
Jen says
I’ve been searching for a toffee recipe that is crunchy/crisp instead of sticky. This one not only fit that requirement, it turned out perfectly it made the exact right amount. It will be my go to toffee recipe from now on. Thank you so much for sharing!
Danielle says
I am so glad you liked it! This has been a family favorite of mine for many years 🙂
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I so love a good buttery toffee and I am in love with this recipe. It has such beautiful components in every layer that will please anyone. I will be definitely giving this a try.
Danielle says
Thanks so much!
Pavani says
OMG, that looks soooo good. Wish I could grab one through the screen 🙂 Love all the layers in that crunch. Perfect edible gift for the holidays.
Danielle says
Totally! Thanks Pavani!
Kay says
I absolutely love toffee, this recipe looks awesome
I will be trying this out over the Christmas holidays
Thanks for sharing!!
Danielle says
I hope you love it Kay!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I love the different textures in this buttercrunch!!! So delicious!
Danielle says
Me too!
Michelle says
Omg. Heaven. I love toffee!
Danielle says
Toffee is the best!
Demeter says
I made this to add to my neighbors cookie tins, but we ate almost all of it ourselves! Haha! Definitely need to double up the recipe tomorrow so they’ll be some left for them.
Danielle says
LOL it'll do that!
Kelly Anthony says
What a great gift to give to neighbors and the kid's teachers. I agree with you that it will be hard to give away since it looks so good.
Danielle says
I rarely actually give it away LOL!
kim says
These are SOOOOOO delicious! I've made them multiple times and they never last long!
Danielle says
Thanks Kim!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
Danielle -- this recipe looks delicious and do-able! I am making this one for the family this weekend! YUM!
Danielle says
Thanks so much Lisa! I hope you love it 🙂
kim says
This sounds fabulous and you made it look so easy! Can't wait to give it a try!
Danielle says
Thanks kim! I hope you do try it 🙂
Michelle Alston says
I've never heard of buttercrunch! But it looks fab, I'm going to have to try it if it's like toffee then I'm in 😉
Danielle says
It's def like toffee - it's so yummy!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I've never made toffee but this sounds delicious, especially with all the nuttiness and chocolate! What a great gift idea too.
Danielle says
It's perfect for gifts!!
Nicole Triebe says
I have a feeling I wouldn't be able to share this with anyone! Looks amazing!
Danielle says
You definitely will not want to share! Thanks 🙂
Sally - My Custard Pie says
I had a book about making sweets when I was little. It had all sorts of toffee recipes and I used to pour over the pages. This recipe reminds me of that so much.
Danielle says
That sounds like such a great book!