English Toffee

i think it is pretty cool that we can go 3 whole weeks without even posting on this here blog. wait. kidding. it's not cool. it's actually pretty lame of us. the truth is, i haven't really thought about it. the holidays are crazy and we've been eating out more than we should, so cooking has taken a back burner. no pun intended. ha! okay. it was totally intended. but if i say it wasn't, maybe you won't think i'm so lame.

anyway, i am re-posting this recipe from last chritmas because it is my favorite holiday treat to make. it is super simple and so so yummy. this is what i always make and take as neighbor gifts, and everyone i take it to loves it.

ingredients

1 cube butter

1 cube margarine

1 cup sugar

3 tbsp. water

chocolate chips (must me ghiradelli or guittard)

in a sauce pan, combine ingredients and bring to a boil. It will be a bright yellow color. while you're doing that, try not to mock the ridiculousness that is my used-a-million-times-for-everything-from-mac-and-cheese-to-toffee well-loved pan.

let it boil for 6-8 minutes while stirring (almost) constantly. use a wooden spoon. i have ruined more than one plastic spoon. when it is almost done, it will start to turn a light amber color and will start to smoke (you have to look closely for the smoke). i usually watch for it to change colors, and just when i think it's done, i let it cook another 30 seconds to a minute. below is the color it will be when it's done.

pour onto a buttered cookie sheet. i just pour mine on top of the cookie sheet, but candice and our mom coat the pan with chopped pecans before pouring the toffee mixture. if you like nuts, go nuts with it. ha. i'm killing myself here.

let it cool for 1-2 minutes until it is barely firm but still very hot to touch, and then sprinkle chocolate chips on top. just a handful or so of chocolate chips. if you want the chocolate to be thick, add more.

spread the chocolate with a rubber spatula. just keep spreading it until the chocolate is all melted. every single time i make this i think my chocolate isn't going to melt all the way, but it always does. so it will; i promise!

 let it cool (i like to do over night so that the chocolate is completely set up), and then use a butter knife to break it into 2-3 inch pieces.

wrap it up however you'd like, and take it to me your friends and neighbors! or, go my route, and eat it all yoursefl :)