Friday, October 08, 2010

12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies... Toffee!


It's week 2 of 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies with Abby Sweets.  I don't know about anyone else but I'm having a blast ... not only thinking of which sweets to make but also looking at everyone else's recipes!  My not-very-scientific count showed 44 links with recipes last week.  How fun!!

Our family has a camping vacation coming up and I've been busy baking and cooking to get a few posts done ahead of their due date.  I'm realizing how much I enjoy different textures, colors, shapes and flavors on a plate of Christmas goodies.  In the end, I think my blog will only have 4-5 cookie recipes... I will, however, have 12 of my favorite yummy recipes to share.

I've adapted this recipe from one I received from my sister.  Each November she and her in-laws get together for a 2-day HUGE cookie/candy making venture.  When they are finished, everyone has a wide variety of Christmas cookies and candy to set out or use as gifts.  When our family gets together for the holidays, everyone waits eagerly for my sister to bring the goodies ... and, I go for the toffee first!

Enjoy! ... and check out the links at the bottom of this post for more yummy recipes!!

TOFFEE
2 c. butter (not margarine)
2 c. sugar (can be either white or brown)
2 T. light corn syrup
1/3 c. water
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. sliced almonds

Line a 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan with foil, extending over edges.  Spray foil with non-stick spray.


In a heavy, 3 qt saucepan melt butter.  Stir in sugar, corn syrup and water.  Cook over medium-high heat to boiling.  Stirring frequently. Clip candy thermometer to pan.  Be sure bulb is well covered and not touching the bottom of pan.


Continuing cooking over medium heat, stirring frequently until thermometer registers 290 degrees (soft-crack stage)... between 15-20 minutes.  The mixture will be a dark golden brown, very thick and pulling away from sides of pan.  Remove thermometer and pour into prepared pan, spreading evenly.  Cool 5 minutes or until top is just set.  


Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of toffee and let stand 2 minutes to melt.  Gently and evenly spread melted chocolate over entire pan of toffee.  Top with nuts, pressing them into the chocolate.  Cool several hours or until set.  


Holding edges of foil, lift candy out of the pan.  Break into pieces.  Store in airtight container.

17 comments:

  1. Oooohhhhh, this would be perfect for a gift...or really just for me to have!

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  2. I LOOOOOVE toffee! This post made me hungry - even this early! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Our family has a cookie exchange every year too:) Your toffee sounds wonderful! What a great addition to a Christmas "cookie" platter!

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  4. Yum, I love toffee, especially when it's homemade. Excellent pick!

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  5. I love toffee ... thank u for sharing this recipe!

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  6. My mom loves toffee. No, I mean really LOVES toffee. I always forget to make it - so I'm saving this as a reminder!

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  7. i still have a slight fear over making caramel. But this sounds too good, i might take a go at it!

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  8. oh my...look at all those goodies! I missed this post! Shame on me- or wait, it might be good I did. I love the second to last photo- it looks divine :) Anyway, this is great... :) I absolutely love toffee!

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  9. Classic! Gotta have toffee every Christmas. Mmm!

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  10. In Australia toffee is a hard caramelized sugar candy but last year I saw this type on a Martha Stewart show...and I love it! Yours looks beautiful. Quite ticky to make though, isn't it?

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  11. I just saw my comment and laughted ...I mean "tricky"!

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  12. Nothing says Christmas to me like toffee. I hardly ever make it. It's a bit intimidating. Thanks for the great recipe.

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  13. Your toffee looks wonderful! I often think of making it....I may have no excuse not to make it now with you wonderful recipe!

    Happy Sunday Eve!
    ~avril :-)

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  14. What a fabulous idea - 12 weeks of Christmas cookies! The toffee cookies look fabulous. Have you tried freezing them? If so, do you have any tips about freezing and thawing them? I'd love to have a wide variety of Christmas cookies this year but I can't commit to a multi-day cooking spree.

    Samantha

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  15. Ooh, now this is my kind of Christmas treat! Loooove toffee! I'll definitely be trying this!

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  16. Toffee is a perfect addition to a cookie platter. Your sister's cookie party sounds like a fabulous idea.

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Thank you for your kind words!