English Toffee Crunch
If you are looking to make a special sweet treat, English Toffee Crunch is always a good choice. The crunchy, sweet toffee is coated with chocolate on the top and bottom, along with a sprinkling of fine chopped nuts. A classic, for sure.
I know people are sometimes a little scared about making candy, but this is pretty easy to make, and well worth the effort. The only special piece of equipment you will need is a candy thermometer. Just be careful when handling the hot ingredients. The end result is a special treat.
English Toffee Crunch
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 sticks butter (not margarine)
3 T. water
1 T. light corn syrup – recipe follows for a substitute
3/4 lb. milk or dark chocolate, or chocolate chips
1/2 c. very finely chopped walnuts
Over low heat, stirring constantly, cook sugar, butter, water and corn syrup until mixture reaches hard crack stage (300-310 degrees). Pour onto ungreased jellyroll pan tilting quickly in all directions to get toffee as thin as possible. It hardens up unbelievably quickly so work fast. I like to warm the cookie sheet a little in the oven so it buys me a few extra seconds to thin out the toffee. Harden in fridge about five minutes or let stand at room temperature until cooled down. Melt chocolate in double boiler and spread half of it over toffee, spreading to edges. Sprinkle with half the nuts and return to fridge it harden chocolate. Turn toffee carefully onto another sheet and coat the bottom with the remaining chocolate and nuts. Chill until chocolate hardens then break up into bite sized pieces. Note: you can use even more chocolate if you like a thicker coating. Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Makes 1 1/2 lbs.
Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup Water
1/4 tsp. Cream of Tartar
dash of salt
Combine all in a large, heavy stainless steel pot. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover with lid for 3 to 4 minutes to get the sugar crystals off the sides of the pan. Uncover and cook to softball stage, 238 to 240 degree’s F. or when a small amount is dropped into cold water and does not hold its shape; stir constantly. Cook for another minute. Cool and store in covered jar at room temperature, will keep well for 2 months at room temperature.
For dark corn syrup add 1/4 cup molasses
