Delicious Toffee Almond Crunch Delight
Indulge in the rich, buttery goodness of our Delicious Toffee Almond Crunch Delight, a perfect treat for any occasion. This crunchy confection features a decadent combination of caramelized toffee and toasted almonds, creating a deliciously satisfying texture and flavor. Whether enjoyed alone or paired with perfectly tempered chocolate, this delightful recipe is sure to impress your friends and family. Easy to prepare and perfect for gift-giving or special celebrations, this candy brings a touch of elegance to your sweet treat repertoire.
28
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sugar
1 3/4 cups (none)
Light corn syrup
1/3 cup (none)
Water
1/4 cup (none)
Butter
1 cup (cut into pieces)
Blanched slivered almonds
2 cups (lightly toasted and finely chopped)
Unsweetened chocolate
2 ounces (chopped)
Semisweet chocolate
2 ounces (chopped)
Vegetable shortening
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your baking pan by lightly greasing a 15-1/2 x 10-1/2-inch jelly-roll pan.
2
In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine the sugar, light corn syrup, and water, then cook over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble.
3
Once the sugar syrup is bubbling, add the cut butter pieces and stir until fully melted.
4
Insert a candy thermometer and continue cooking the mixture, stirring frequently, until it reaches a temperature between 300°F and 310°F (the hard crack stage), which should take about 20 minutes. Be vigilant, especially once the temperature hits 220°F, as things will move quickly!
5
When the desired temperature is reached, immediately remove the pan from heat.
6
Set aside 1/3 cup of the toasted almonds and stir the remaining 1 2/3 cups of almonds into the hot toffee mixture.
7
Quickly pour the hot toffee onto the prepared jelly-roll pan, using two forks to spread the mixture evenly across the pan.
8
Allow the candy to cool completely on a wire rack.
9
While the candy cools, melt the unsweetened and semisweet chocolates along with the vegetable shortening in a heavy 1-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
10
Once the toffee has cooled and set, gently lift it out of the pan as a single piece and place it on a cutting board.
11
Using a narrow metal spatula, spread the warm chocolate evenly over the surface of the candy and sprinkle it with the reserved 1/3 cup of almonds, gently pressing them into the chocolate layer.
12
Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature, which should take about 1 hour.
13
Finally, use a sharp knife to break the hardened toffee into bite-sized pieces. Layer the pieces between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container for storage or gifting.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delicious Toffee Almond Crunch Delight?
It is a rich, buttery candy featuring caramelized toffee and toasted almonds, topped with a smooth chocolate layer and additional almond crunch.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 28 servings.
What are the primary ingredients needed?
The main ingredients include sugar, light corn syrup, water, butter, blanched slivered almonds, unsweetened chocolate, semisweet chocolate, and vegetable shortening.
What size baking pan should I use?
You should use a 15-1/2 x 10-1/2-inch jelly-roll pan.
How do I prepare the almonds for this recipe?
The blanched slivered almonds should be lightly toasted and finely chopped before starting.
What temperature must the toffee mixture reach?
The mixture needs to reach the hard crack stage, which is between 300°F and 310°F.
Do I need a candy thermometer?
Yes, a candy thermometer is essential to ensure the toffee reaches the precise hard crack stage temperature.
How long does it take to cook the toffee?
It typically takes about 20 minutes to reach the desired temperature of 300°F to 310°F.
When should I add the butter to the mixture?
Add the cut butter pieces once the sugar, syrup, and water mixture begins to bubble and the sugar has fully dissolved.
Should I stir the mixture while it cooks?
You should stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves, and then stir frequently once the butter is added until it reaches the hard crack stage.
What happens when the temperature hits 220°F?
Once the mixture hits 220°F, the temperature will rise quickly, so you must be vigilant and monitor the thermometer closely.
How many almonds go into the toffee mixture itself?
Stir 1 2/3 cups of the toasted almonds into the hot toffee, reserving the remaining 1/3 cup for the topping.
How do I spread the hot toffee in the pan?
Quickly pour the hot mixture into the greased pan and use two forks to spread it evenly.
What type of chocolate is used for the topping?
The topping uses a blend of 2 ounces of chopped unsweetened chocolate and 2 ounces of chopped semisweet chocolate.
Why is vegetable shortening added to the chocolate?
One teaspoon of vegetable shortening is added to help the chocolate melt smoothly and create a creamy texture.
How should I melt the chocolate topping?
Melt the chocolates and shortening in a heavy 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until smooth.
Does the toffee need to be cold before adding chocolate?
The toffee should be completely cooled and set before you spread the warm chocolate mixture over the surface.
How do I apply the final almond topping?
Sprinkle the reserved 1/3 cup of almonds over the wet chocolate layer and gently press them in.
How long does the chocolate take to set?
Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature for about 1 hour.
How do I break the toffee into pieces?
Once the toffee and chocolate have fully hardened, use a sharp knife to break it into bite-sized pieces.
What is the best way to store this candy?
Layer the pieces between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container.
Can this recipe be used for gifts?
Yes, its elegant appearance and delicious flavor make it perfect for gift-giving and special celebrations.
What size saucepan is needed for the toffee?
A heavy 2-quart saucepan is recommended for cooking the sugar and butter mixture.
Should the pan be greased?
Yes, lightly grease the jelly-roll pan to prevent the toffee from sticking.
What is the hard crack stage?
The hard crack stage is a candy-making term for sugar syrup heated to 300-310°F, where it becomes brittle when cooled.
What is the texture of this dessert?
It has a satisfyingly crunchy texture from the caramelized sugar and toasted almonds.
Can I substitute the light corn syrup?
The recipe specifies light corn syrup to help prevent sugar crystallization and ensure the correct toffee texture.
How should I prepare the butter?
The 1 cup of butter should be cut into pieces before being added to the bubbling sugar syrup.
Do I need to refrigerate the candy to set the chocolate?
The instructions recommend letting the chocolate set at room temperature for about an hour.
What tools are needed to spread the chocolate?
A narrow metal spatula is recommended for spreading the warm chocolate evenly over the toffee.