Name: Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups (4 sticks / 454 g) unsalted butter; 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar; 2 cups (336 g) semisweet chocolate chips; 1 cup (109 g) pecans, finely chopped

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 17 reviews

If you’re anything like me and adore rich, buttery sweets with a satisfying crunch, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe. It’s that perfect mix of golden, caramelized toffee layered with melty chocolate and topped with crunchy pecans — pure magic in every bite. Whether you’re making it for a holiday treat, a gift, or just because you deserve something delicious, I promise it’s totally worth the little bit of patience it requires. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to help you nail this fan-freaking-tastic toffee masterpiece!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients, Incredible Flavor: Just a handful of pantry staples come together to create a toffee that tastes like it took hours of effort.
Perfect Texture Balance: The buttery crunch of toffee paired with smooth chocolate and crunchy pecans means every bite has incredible contrast.
Candy Thermometer Guidance: Using a candy thermometer ensures you hit the exact temperature for flawless toffee—no guesswork needed.
Customizable Toppings: You can tweak the chocolate type or nuts to match your mood or occasion easily.

Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans, chocolate pecan toffee, easy homemade toffee, caramel toffee with nuts, rich chocolate toffee bites - The image shows a white tray full of irregular triangular pieces of candy with three visible layers: a bottom layer of golden caramel, a shiny middle layer of smooth dark chocolate, and a top layer sprinkled heavily with crushed nuts in light brown and white tones. Next to the tray are two more pieces of the same candy, one fully visible and one partly shown, lying on a white marbled surface. The overall look is rich and textured with the nut pieces creating a rough surface on top of the smooth chocolate layer photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe leans on the beauty of quality ingredients that truly shine through. The blend of rich butter and sugar transforms into that classic toffee base, while semisweet chocolate chips bring lusciousness without going over the top, and pecans provide a cozy, nutty crunch. When shopping, I always aim for the best unsalted butter I can find since it directly impacts flavor and texture.

Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans, chocolate pecan toffee, easy homemade toffee, caramel toffee with nuts, rich chocolate toffee bites - Flat lay of two sticks of fresh unsalted butter with clean edges, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl heaped with glossy semisweet chocolate chips, and a small white ceramic bowl holding finely chopped pecans, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted lets you control the saltiness, plus the butter’s richness is key to that luscious toffee texture.
Granulated Sugar: Sugar caramelizes during cooking to give you that perfect toffee flavor and crisp bite.
Semisweet Chocolate Chips: These melt evenly on top—pick a brand you enjoy snacking on, as that flavor really shines through.
Pecans: I love them finely chopped so they stick well and deliver crunch in every bite; plus, their buttery notes complement the toffee beautifully.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I love experimenting with different nuts or swapping out chocolate types—for example, using dark chocolate for a more intense flavor or white chocolate for sweetness. Don’t be afraid to personalize it based on what you love!

Nut Variations: I once swapped pecans for sliced almonds during the holidays—totally delicious and added a new texture I wasn’t expecting.
Chocolate Types: Using bittersweet chocolate chips ups the cocoa content and balances the sugar, especially if you want less sweetness.
Add a Sprinkle of Sea Salt: Lightly salting the chocolate layer after spreading it brings a nice flavor kick that enhances the toffee’s richness.
Dietary Adjustments: For nut-free versions, try toasted coconut flakes or crushed pretzels instead of pecans for crunch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Tools

Before you start melting butter and sugar, line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper—it prevents sticky messes and makes cleanup way easier. Grab a heavy-bottom saucepan to ensure even heat distribution; thin pans can cause hot spots and burning.

Step 2: Cook Butter and Sugar Slowly to 285°F

This is where patience pays off big time. Combine your butter and sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to prevent burning. It’ll take about 35-45 minutes to reach 285°F on your candy thermometer—that’s the hard crack stage where toffee sets perfectly. If it heats too fast, lower the heat slightly—rushing this step risks burnt or grainy toffee, which we don’t want.

Step 3: Pour and Top with Chocolate Chips

Once your toffee reaches that deep amber color and 285°F, immediately pour it onto your prepared baking sheet, spreading evenly. Then sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips right on top. After a couple of minutes, the chips will soften and melt—use a spatula to smooth them out into a gorgeous, even layer.

Step 4: Sprinkle Pecans and Let It Set

While the chocolate is still warm and melty, sprinkle your chopped pecans evenly over the top and gently press them in. This ensures they won’t fall off later. Now, just let your toffee sit at room temperature for about an hour until fully set—resist the urge to rush here; it’s worth the wait!

Step 5: Break into Pieces and Enjoy

Once set, simply break the toffee into bite-sized shards. And there you go—homemade toffee bliss. It’s perfect for snacking, gifting, or dazzling at your next party.

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Pro Tips for Making Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe

Use a Candy Thermometer: This is non-negotiable—trust me, I learned the hard way that guessing the temperature leads to sticky disasters or burnt batches.
Stir Consistently but Gently: Constant stirring prevents burning but be gentle so you don’t create air bubbles that cause uneven texture.
Don’t Rinse Your Pot Immediately: Leftover stuck sugar can be tough to clean; soak it in hot water after it cools to make cleanup easier.
Avoid Humidity: Make your toffee on a low-humidity day if possible—moisture can keep it from setting properly or make it sticky.

How to Serve Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic, letting the pecans speak for themselves, but sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the chocolate layer right after spreading it. It amps up the flavor and adds a little sparkle that guests always notice. For a festive twist, chopped crystallized ginger or dried cranberries are fun to scatter on top.

Side Dishes

This toffee pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or strong black tea to balance the sweetness. I’ve also served it alongside bowls of fresh fruit or nutty ice cream for decadent dessert spreads. It’s perfect for holiday parties or cozy evenings at home.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or hostess gifts, I like wrapping individual toffee pieces in parchment or cellophane tied with a ribbon—they look charming and make for the perfect sweet surprise. Plating broken shards on a wooden board with a scattering of extra pecans and edible gold dust really impresses at special gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover homemade toffee in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. It stays crisp and delicious, though if your kitchen is humid, a cool, dry spot is best. Avoid the fridge, as it can introduce moisture and make your toffee sticky.

Freezing

If you want to stash some for later, I wrap pieces individually in wax paper then place them in a freezer-safe container. Toffee freezes beautifully and can be kept for 2-3 months without losing its crunch or flavor.

Reheating

Honestly, toffee is best enjoyed as is, but if your chocolate looks dull after storage, a few seconds in a warm spot or gently warming in a low oven (under 200°F) can refresh that melt-in-the-mouth quality. Just don’t reheat directly or too long to avoid melting the whole thing.

FAQs

What if I don’t have a candy thermometer?

A candy thermometer really helps ensure perfect toffee texture, but if you don’t have one, you can do the cold water test: drop a small amount of the cooked sugar mixture into very cold water—if it hardens into a firm but brittle ball that snaps, it’s ready. However, investing in a candy thermometer is a game-changer.
Can I substitute different nuts in this Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe?

Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, or even pistachios work beautifully. Just chop them finely so they stick well to the chocolate layer. Make sure to toast them lightly to bring out their flavors.
Why did my toffee turn out sticky or soft?

Sticky toffee often means it didn’t reach the hard crack temperature of 285°F or it was exposed to too much humidity. Using a reliable candy thermometer and making the toffee on a dry day will prevent this issue.
Can I make homemade toffee gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use chocolate chips and toppings that don’t contain gluten or cross-contamination. Always check labels if you have strict dietary needs.
How long does Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe last?

When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, this toffee stays fresh for up to one week. Freezing extends that to 2-3 months.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe enough—it’s a classic for good reason. The process feels like a little kitchen adventure that ends with a delicious reward you’ll want to share (or not!). I’ve gifted it to friends and family countless times, and every single person raved about it. So go ahead, make a batch, savor the buttery crunch, and enjoy a homemade treat that feels fancy but is totally doable. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to sweet recipe too!

Homemade Toffee with Chocolate and Pecans Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 17 reviews

Author: Amanda
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: 24 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

This homemade toffee recipe features a rich, buttery base cooked to perfection, topped with melted semisweet chocolate and crunchy pecans. It results in a deliciously sweet and crunchy treat that’s perfect for snacking or gifting.

Ingredients

Toffee Base

2 cups (4 sticks / 454 g) unsalted butter
2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar

Topping

2 cups (336 g) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup (109 g) pecans, finely chopped

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Instructions

Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a large rimmed baking sheet, approximately 11×15 inches, with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow easy removal of the toffee once set.
Cook the Toffee Base: In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat, add the unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Stir consistently with a wooden spoon while cooking until the mixture reaches 285°F on a candy thermometer and develops a dark amber color. This process takes about 45 minutes; adjust the heat as necessary to maintain a steady temperature and avoid burning.
Pour and Spread Toffee: Carefully pour the hot toffee mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly.
Add Chocolate Topping: Immediately sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Allow them to sit for 1-2 minutes so they can soften and melt, then gently spread the chocolate layer evenly over the toffee using a spatula.
Add Pecans: Sprinkle the finely chopped pecans evenly over the melted chocolate and gently press them into the surface to adhere.
Set the Toffee: Let the toffee cool and set at room temperature for about 1 hour until firm.
Serve and Store: Once set, break the toffee into pieces. Store the pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Notes

Use a heavy-bottom saucepan to prevent burning and ensure even heat distribution.
Monitor the candy thermometer closely to reach the hard crack stage at 285°F for perfect toffee texture.
If you don’t have a candy thermometer, test by dropping a small amount of the mixture into cold water — it should harden and crack.
Chop pecans finely for better texture and easier eating, but feel free to adjust nut quantity or type based on preference.
Store the toffee in a cool, dry place to maintain crispness and prevent melting.