Saturday, January 2, 2010

HELP! English Toffee

Hey all and Happy New Year!

I trust that everyone had as blessed a Christmas as we did. I thought I would share a few of our gifts with you today.

My Brother and Sister in Law gave us a Flip Video Recorder, which we are having loads of fun with. Also our friend, and favorite first grade teacher, gave us a copy of the elementary school’s cookbook, which by the way has her famous English Toffee recipe in it. I thought it would be fun to combine both gifts and to show off our young chef in his first cooking video.

Today we finally made the toffee that Anthony has been begging to make since Christmas morning.

Joy, All I can say is my hat is off to you. After more than an hour of stirring we gave up well… I gave up. Anthony wanted to keep going but my back and my arm gave a strong protest. So in the end we are less a pound of butter and still have not had a taste of the famous toffee.

Mrs. Fowler and all my blogger friends, PLEASE send your toffee hints and tips our way. Did I stir too long, not long enough?? Anthony’s ready to try again and I’ll pump some extra iron at the gym this week to get myself in shape for round two!

Mrs. Fowler’s English Toffee

Ingredients:

  • 1lb Real Butter
  • 1 T. Water
  • ½ t. Vanilla
  • 2 C Granulated Sugar
  • ½ lb Slivered Almonds
  • Dash of Cinnamon

Directions:

  • Melt butter in heavy kettle.
  • Add sugar, stirring briskly with a large spoon.
  • Add water, cinnamon and almonds, stirring constantly.
  • Add Vanilla.
  • Mixture will thicken and fall way from the sides of the kettle when nearly done.
  • Cook until it turns a toffee tan.
  • Pour onto well-buttered tray and spread to a thin layer.
  • When cooled, break into pieces.

19 comments:

Coleens Recipes said...

I'm guessing there was a type- o in your recipe and it should have said one CUP of butter, not one pound.

Claudia said...

Yikes one pound of butter! Coleen may be right. Somewhere I had a microwave one - you really had to babysit it - but other than it was delicious. My hat is off to you for sticking with this and sticking with this and sticking with this...

chow and chatter said...

oh so sorry your son is adorable wish I would help will tweet it !

Happy new year love Rebecca

Chef E said...

I came after a tweet by Chow & Chatter...I do not see a temperature on here? Candy thermometer is usually required; unless you have made it skillfully before, and know the right color...(excuse critiquing) but yours looks too buttery, like it separated...

-Insert a candy thermometer (after adding in all ingredients)and bring the candy to a boil, periodically brushing down the sides with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystallization (yours looks this way)

-Continue to cook the candy, stirring frequently, until it reaches 300 degrees. If the candy appears to separate (with a layer of melted butter on top) stir vigorously to make it come back together again. Watch the candy as it approaches 300, since it cooks quickly and can scorch at high temperatures.

-Once the candy reaches 300 degrees, remove from heat and pour it onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula or spoon to spread the candy to an even thickness. Allow the toffee to cool completely.

-Once the toffee is cool, break it apart

Hope this helps! Now I want toffee!

Amy Nicole said...

Anthony is such a trooper! I hope round 2 goes better!

Amy Nicole said...

love the background music btw!

Jennifer, A Self-Confessed Foodie said...

I'm with Chef E, it looks like a temperature issue to me. I've never made English Toffee but I've made almond roca, which is similar, and I had to cook it to a particular temperature. I love English toffee so I'll be checking back to see how attempt 2 turns out!

Jennifer

Penny said...

Good try and Happy New Year. Love your blog and will look forward to sharing recipes in 2010.

Anonymous said...

Hi Anthony! I loved your video! I will see you at school tomorrow! Thanks for trying my recipe. I will have to make you some. Yes...it's really a pound of butter. That's why I only make it at the holidays!. Mine has separated on ocassion before so I've learned to just stop when I notice that happening even if it's not quite the toffee color. I've never used a candy thermometer before with the toffee but those sound like some great suggestions! Thanks for trying!

Anonymous said...

I thought of 2 tips I've tried in the past. Make sure to keep the heat on high the whole time it's cooking and I always use less almonds - more like 2-4 oz. instead of the 8 oz. Don't know if that makes a difference but I usually don't have as many on hand for some reason. It should only take you about 30 minutes max to make. I made you some just now so make sure and come see me tomorrow. I'll have it ready!
Joy

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I've never made toffee but based on your experience, I think I'll just buy it. Good luck with the second try.

grace said...

an hour of stirring? gadzooks! it might be okay if the candy had been edible, but dang it, i had wasting stuff. ESPECIALLY butter. i hope the kinks get worked out on this one--it has awesome potential!

Lo said...

oh, gosh -- Anthony is adorable! Nice work.

As far as the toffee goes, definitely seems like a temp issue... good luck with the next batch!

Velva said...

Who cares that the English Toffee did not turn out (smile) that video of your son is priceless!!! OMG! I loved it. Awesome! Those are the videos that memories are made of-He is no doubt developing a passion for cooking like his mom.

Dewi said...

Happy New Year to you too!

Unfortunately, I never really made any kind of toffee before. So, I don't really have good advice.

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I give you credit for patience. I have never made toffee although it sounds like a good idea.

You figure out what went wrong and maybe I will get the nerve up to try it.

Call me coward.

Juliana said...

Cassie, Happy New Year! Hope you and your family had a nice holiday. I am sorry, cannot help you since I never made English toffee myself...

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Anthony is so cute! The Flip video camera seems like a nice gadget to have.

Good luck with round two of toffee making.

Debbie said...

I've never made toffee but it does sound interesting! Wow...one pound of butter....think it would go right to my thighs!!! Love the video!