Homemade Toffee Bits

Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted American-style butter (if using European-style butter, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the melted butter)
• 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tsp fine sea salt (or table salt)

Steps

1. 1

   Begin melting the 1 stick (113g) of unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.

2. 2

   Add the 1 cup (200g) of light brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt to the melted butter.

3. 3

   Whisk the mixture vigorously for one minute to combine.

4. 4

   Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it reaches a temperature of 295-300°F (146-149°C) on a candy thermometer and looks like melted peanut butter, which should take about 8-10 minutes.

5. 5

   Carefully pour the hot mixture onto a rimmed baking pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

6. 6

   Quickly spread the toffee into a thin, even layer before it begins to harden.

7. 7

   Let the toffee harden and cool completely at room temperature for about 20 minutes.

8. 8

   Once cooled and brittle, break the toffee into small bits using a mallet or a rolling pin.

Notes

If using European-style butter (which has a higher fat content and lower water content), add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the melted butter to ensure the sugar dissolves properly. Store the finished bits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• snack
• baking ingredient
• vegetarian
• gluten-free
• candy
• homemade gift