One of the candies I make at Christmastime is English Toffee.  I got the recipe from my friend, Karen, who worked at the same school I did.  Not only was she an awesome computer teacher, she always brought delicious treats into school for the staff to enjoy. Karen was always willing to give out her recipes, too.  Thank you, Karen!

I use this for gifts as well as putting it out with my cookies when we have visitors.  It was always popular in my fundraiser sales.  It’s not difficult to make and it has just a few ingredients that you probably have on hand, but you do need an accurate candy thermometer.  It’s a good candy to start with if you are new to candy making.

Simple ingredients, but a candy thermometer is a must.

English Toffee (adapted from Karen Erickson)

• 1/2 pound of butter (you must use butter)
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 8 ounces of milk chocolate, melted

Melt the butter in a medium saucepot on the stove.  When it is melted, add the sugar, water and corn syrup.

Add the rest of the ingredients once the butter is melted.

The thermometer will stall around 240 degrees for a bit. Don’t worry.

Notice how the color is getting deeper as it nears the end temperature.

Stir the candy constantly over medium high heat until it registers 310° on a candy thermometer.  Remove it from the heat and spread it into a 9 x 12 glass dish, smoothing it flat and evenly. The toffee will harden quickly, so you have to work fast.

Spread the toffee into a glass 9 x 13 dish.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time on high until it is soft enough to spread.  Pour it over the toffee and smooth it over the surface.  The chocolate adheres to the toffee better if the toffee is still warm when the chocolate is spread.

All done. The chocolate will harden as both parts cool.

Allow the toffee & chocolate to harden at room temperature in the dish.  When it is completely cooled and the chocolate is hardened, break the toffee into pieces. Store it in an airtight container in a cool place.  Don’t be afraid to try making candy.  It’s not as difficult as you think!  ~Linda

Great gift idea!