Toffee Brittle

This easy toffee brittle is one of my favorite candy recipes, and I love making it during the holidays! Salty peanuts are layered with sweet caramel and melted chocolate before being broken into bite-size pieces for serving. 

Toffee Brittle Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

PEANUTS: You can use cocktail peanuts instead of salted peanuts if you’d like – they are a little softer and have less salt, so it will change the texture and flavor of this recipe slightly. 

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: I used semi-sweet chocolate chips. You could use dark chocolate in this recipe as well. 

TOPPINGS: You can drizzle this toffee with white chocolate as a finishing touch, decorate with sprinkles or nonpareils, or you can even add chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups over the top.

PURE VANILLA: While pure vanilla extract is a classic choice, you can introduce new flavors by substituting it with almond extract for a delightful almond undertone.

Alternatively, a splash of coffee liqueur like Kahlúa can infuse your toffee with a subtle coffee flavor, adding depth to the sweetness.

How To Make This Toffee Brittle Recipe

This classic treat is easy to make and is utterly addictive. Let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions.

STEP ONE: Line a 9×13 cake pan with parchment paper, then spread two cups of peanuts into an even layer.

STEP TWO: In a medium saucepan, add the butter, sugar, and vanilla. Stir over medium heat until the butter has melted.

Let come to a simmer, then simmer for seven to eight minutes, stirring occasionally.

STEP THREE: When the mixture turns the shade of caramel and flows from the spoon in a ribbon, pour over the peanuts.

Use an offset spatula to spread the mix over the peanuts.

STEP FOUR: Pour a bag of chocolate chips over the top and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes, so the chocolate chips melt.

Using an offset spatula, spread the melted chocolate over the layer of toffee.

STEP FIVE: Chop the remaining ¼ cup of peanuts and sprinkle over the top of the chocolate. 

Let set for two hours until the pan comes to room temperature, and then place in the fridge until ready to enjoy. Which might be right away!

How To Serve

The perfect way to enjoy this treat is right from the cookie tin with a cold glass of milk to wash it down.

If you can resist, and have any left, wrap it in a fancy cellophane bag to give as a gift to friends and family over the holidays.

Upgrade your campfire s’mores by substituting the traditional chocolate with pieces of toffee. The toffee’s sweet, nutty crunch adds a decadent layer to the classic combination.

This treat is a great addition to our this Ritz cracker toffee as well — it’s called crack toffee for a reason — it’s totally addicting!

Our peanut brittle is another popular holiday treat.

Storage

Whether you plan to enjoy it over a few days or save some for later, here’s how to store your toffee for the best results.

MAKE AHEAD: After allowing it to cool and harden completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Make sure to layer parchment paper between the toffee layers to prevent sticking.

ON THE COUNTER: Keep these sweet treats in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

GIVE AS A GIFT: Wrap in food-safe boxes or jars for easy gifting during the holiday season. You can include a tag and ribbon for an extra special, festive touch.

IN THE FREEZER: This peanut chocolate toffee can also be frozen for up to three months in an airtight container.

Why We Love This Recipe

BUTTERY RICHNESS: This toffee boasts a delightful buttery flavor that melts in your mouth, providing a luxurious and indulgent experience.

SWEET CARAMELIZATION: The sugar in this recipe caramelizes beautifully, creating a sweet, crunchy toffee with a hint of caramel that’s simply irresistible.

CRUNCHY PEANUTS: Roasted sea salt peanuts add a satisfying crunch and a savory contrast to the sweetness of the toffee, elevating the overall texture.

We make this Toffee Brittle every year during our holiday baking and give away boxes of this sweet candy as Christmas gifts to neighbors and teachers. I hope you get to enjoy it this Christmas! 

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Christmas Crunch
• Candy Cane Pie
• Chocolate Fudge 
• Gingerbread Fudge
• Christmas Bar Cookies
• Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe