Buttery Ina Garten White Chocolate Toffee Recipe

White chocolate toffee represents a delightful intersection of sweet, buttery, and crunchy sensations that dance across your palate.

Crafted with precision and passion, this confectionery marvel transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Rich, golden layers meld together, creating a symphony of textures that tantalize taste buds.

Delicate white chocolate provides a creamy counterpoint to the caramelized sugar base, while select nuts and spices add unexpected complexity.

Each bite promises a luxurious experience that balances sweetness with subtle depth and nuanced flavors.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike find this recipe irresistibly approachable and impressive.

The result is a sophisticated dessert that elevates any gathering or quiet moment of indulgence: prepare to be delighted.

Store This Candy With Confidence

• Vacuum Seal: Lock away moisture and preserve crisp texture by vacuum sealing toffee pieces in specialized food storage bags. Removes air completely, preventing staleness and maintaining delicate candy's original crunch and flavor for maximum freshness.
• Layer Protection: Stack toffee pieces between sheets of parchment paper inside sturdy, hard-sided containers with tight-fitting lids. Prevents pieces from sticking together and shields delicate candies from potential crushing or breaking during storage.
• Cool Dark Space: Store sealed containers in pantry or cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Consistent cool temperatures between 60-70°F help maintain structural integrity and prevent chocolate from melting or developing unwanted sugar bloom.

Toffee Flavors You Can Explore

• Nutty Chocolate Dream: Replace the original nuts with toasted almonds, pecans, and macadamia nuts for a rich, complex flavor profile that adds extra crunch and depth to the toffee.
• Tropical Beach Toffee: Swap out the nuts and dried cranberries with toasted coconut flakes, dried mango pieces, and a sprinkle of lime zest to create a vibrant, island-inspired treat that transports your taste buds to a sunny beach.
• Dark Chocolate Lovers' Edition: Substitute white chocolate with dark chocolate and add a layer of sea salt caramel between the toffee and chocolate for an intense, sophisticated dessert that balances sweet and salty notes perfectly.
• Spiced Autumn Crunch: Mix in pumpkin pie spice with the white chocolate, use candied pecans instead of plain nuts, and sprinkle with a touch of cinnamon to create a warm, seasonal version that captures the cozy essence of fall.

Last Bite of White Chocolate Delight

Sweet sensations await with Ina Garten’s white chocolate toffee, a confectionery masterpiece that marries rich buttery layers with luxurious white chocolate.

Complex flavors dance across palates, creating an indulgent experience that elevates dessert traditions.

Cashews and pistachios provide delightful crunch, while crystallized ginger and cranberries add sophisticated tang.

Fleur de sel sprinkled delicately enhances each bite’s magical complexity.

Homemade confections like these connect us through shared culinary moments of pure pleasure.

Passionate bakers and chocolate enthusiasts: share this recipe, spread deliciousness, spark conversations, and inspire kitchen creativity among friends and followers.

What Makes White Chocolate Toffee So Irresistible

• Crunch into Luxurious Layers: This white chocolate toffee delivers an incredible multi-textural experience with crisp toffee base, smooth white chocolate coating, and crunchy nuts that create a symphony of delightful mouthfeels.
• Quick Gourmet Treat: With just 20 minutes of active cooking time and minimal ingredients, you can craft a restaurant-worthy dessert that looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated without requiring advanced pastry skills.
• Perfectly Balanced Sweet-Savory Sensation: The combination of sweet white chocolate, buttery toffee, salty cashews, tangy crystallized ginger, and tart dried cranberries creates a complex flavor profile that keeps every bite interesting and addictive.
• Stress-Free Holiday Gift Potential: This elegant toffee breaks easily into beautiful pieces, making it an impressive homemade gift that looks professionally crafted but is surprisingly simple to prepare, perfect for holiday sharing or hosting gatherings.

Toffee Ingredient Rundown

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: Rich, creamy foundation that creates smooth, golden toffee texture with deep flavor.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve caramelization for toffee's signature golden color.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor to enhance the toffee's overall taste profile.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the caramel notes.

• White Chocolate: Smooth, sweet coating that creates a luxurious finish for the toffee.

• Cashews, Pistachios: Provide delightful crunch and nutty flavor contrast to sweet toffee.
• Crystallized Ginger: Adds spicy, zingy element with subtle sweetness and interesting texture.
• Dried Cranberries: Introduces tart, fruity brightness to balance rich chocolate and toffee.

• Fleur de Sel: Delicate sea salt that enhances overall flavor and adds elegant finishing touch.

Steps for Melting, Mixing & Setting Toffee

Step 1: Prepare the Buttery Canvas

Grab a 9×12-inch metal cake pan and generously coat every inch with butter. Make sure to reach those sneaky corners for a smooth release.

Step 2: Craft the Golden Toffee

• Butter
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Kosher salt

Melt the butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Keep cooking and stirring until the mixture transforms into a mesmerizing deep caramel color. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Pour the molten toffee into your prepared pan, tilting to create an even layer. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then gently score lines with a knife to create breaking points.

Step 3: Melt the Silky White Chocolate

Create a double boiler by placing a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Slowly melt the white chocolate, stirring until it becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Decorate with Crunchy Treasures

• Cashews
• Pistachios
• Crystallized ginger
• Dried cranberries

Finish with a delicate sprinkle of fleur de sel for that perfect salty-sweet touch.

Step 5: Let the Magic Set

Allow the toffee to rest at room temperature for at least 2 hours. The chocolate will transform into a solid, beautiful layer. Once set, break into pieces along the scored lines and indulge in your homemade treat!

Helpful Toffee Tips You Didn’t Know You Needed

• Nail the Sugar Temp: Precision matters when cooking sugar and butter. A candy thermometer ensures you hit exactly 300°F for that perfect crisp, golden toffee without burning.
• Prep Like a Pro: Gather and measure all ingredients before starting. Toffee moves quickly, so having everything ready prevents potential mishaps and keeps the process smooth.
• Gentle Chocolate Melting: Protect delicate white chocolate by using a double boiler or a bowl over simmering water. This method prevents scorching and maintains a silky, smooth texture.
• Smart Scoring Technique: Cut the toffee into pieces while it's warm but not scalding. This trick makes breaking the candy later much easier and creates clean, professional-looking segments.
• Patience Pays Off: Allow the toffee to set completely at room temperature. Rushing the cooling process can compromise the texture and shine of your homemade candy.

Ina Garten White Chocolate Toffee Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s white chocolate toffee combines rich buttery layers with sweet crunch, creating an irresistible dessert. Smooth white chocolate and golden toffee bits blend perfectly, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of this elegant confection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chocolate and Nuts:

• 12 ounces white chocolate (such as Callebaut), roughly chopped
• ½ cup salted, roasted cashews
• ½ cup shelled, salted, roasted pistachios

Base Ingredients:

• ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Dried Fruits and Garnish:

• ½ cup crystallized ginger (not in syrup), ¼-inch diced (3 ounces)
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• Fleur de sel

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by thoroughly coating a 23×30 centimeters (9×12-inch) metal pan with a generous layer of butter, ensuring complete coverage of sides and corners.
2. Create the caramel foundation by combining 225 grams (½ pound) butter, 200 grams () sugar, 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract, and kosher salt in a medium-sized pot. Heat the mixture over medium temperature, stirring intermittently until butter liquefies. Continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, stirring consistently, watching the color transform from pale to rich golden caramel. Immediately transfer the molten caramel into the prepared pan, tilting to distribute evenly. Allow the mixture to settle for 5 minutes, then carefully score horizontal and vertical lines using a sharp knife.
3. Melt the white chocolate using a double boiler method: Place 340 grams () of white chocolate in a heatproof bowl positioned over simmering water. Stir gently until the chocolate achieves a smooth, glossy consistency.
4. Layer the toppings by pouring the melted white chocolate over the partially cooled caramel base. Use a spatula to spread the chocolate uniformly. Distribute 75 grams (½ cup) cashews, 75 grams (½ cup) pistachios, 85 grams (½ cup) crystallized ginger, and 75 grams (½ cup) dried cranberries across the surface. Finish by delicately sprinkling fleur de sel over the entire confection.
5. Allow the toffee to set at ambient room temperature for a minimum of 2 hours, ensuring the chocolate completely solidifies. Once fully set, fracture the toffee along the pre-scored lines into irregular pieces, creating an artisanal-style treat ready for enjoyment.

Notes

• Precision matters with a candy thermometer to nail the perfect hard toffee consistency every single time.
• Prep work is your secret weapon for smooth toffee making, so chop nuts and measure ingredients before firing up the stove.
• Gentle chocolate melting prevents burning and ensures a silky smooth coating that beautifully complements the crunchy toffee base.
• Scoring warm toffee creates clean break lines, making it easier to crack into delightful bite-sized pieces later.
• Patience transforms your toffee from good to extraordinary by allowing complete cooling and hardening at room temperature.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 50g)
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 23g
• Sodium: 190mg
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 0.2g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 25mg