Dark Hazelnut Toffee
Decadent dark hazelnut toffee combines crunchy hazelnuts with rich caramel and smooth milk chocolate, perfect for sharing or gifting during special occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over the edges of the pan.
- Sprinkle the 3/4 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts on the bottom of the foil-lined pan. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the brown sugar, water, and dark corn syrup to the melted butter.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches a boil.
- Continue boiling for about 5 minutes without stirring.
- Remove from heat and pour the hot caramel mixture over the hazelnuts in the prepared pan.
- Allow the toffee to cool completely at room temperature, then break into pieces.
- Melt the milk chocolate pieces in a double boiler or microwave until smooth.
- Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the cooled toffee.
- Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 1 hour.
- Break into pieces and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider toasting the hazelnuts before adding them to the pan. If you don't have dark corn syrup, you can substitute with light corn syrup, but the flavor will be slightly different. Stir the mixture constantly during the initial melting phase to prevent the butter from burning. Use a candy thermometer to achieve the perfect toffee consistency, aiming for around 300°F.
Serving Suggestions
This Dark Hazelnut Toffee is perfect for gifting or serving at parties. It pairs beautifully with Swiss Mocha Coffee for a delightful dessert experience. Consider serving it alongside a fruit salad like Apple Slaw for a refreshing contrast. For an added touch, drizzle with a bit of melted white chocolate or sprinkle with sea salt before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate it, but allow it to come to room temperature before serving to maintain the chocolate's texture. Avoid stacking pieces directly on top of each other to prevent sticking.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Dark Hazelnut Toffee contains roughly 207 calories, with 2g protein, 19g carbohydrates, and 14g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when the toffee is done cooking?
The toffee is done when it reaches a temperature of around 300°F, which is the hard crack stage. If you don't have a thermometer, you can test by dropping a small amount into cold water; it should harden immediately and form a brittle ball.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).