Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe for the Holidays

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Maytag. The opinions and text are all mine.

Okay, now that the kitchen appliances are in, Matt and I have been using them nonstop. And for the record, we are still LOVING everything about them.

using maytag range to make a Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe

It’s no secret around here that Matt takes the reigns when it comes to all of the cooking in our home. But something about this new kitchen and these gorgeous Maytag appliances has me extra excited to work my way around the kitchen a bit more. Especially before the holidays! Can you even believe it?!

I have a few things on my list of things to cook using our amazing new range, but the number one thing? Baking! And not just any baking. I have to share a recipe that I’m OBSESSED with from my co-teacher and good friend, Colleen. Guys, it’s literally to die for and my new favorite holiday treat!

A Delicious Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe

Easy Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe

This chocolate pecan toffee recipe is Colleen’s staple and one she has perfected over time. Every time she makes it, I could literally eat the whole batch because it’s soooooo delicious. I mean, I love all desserts, but I would be willing to go on the record and say her chocolate pecan toffee definitely lands in my top 10 favorite desserts of all time. It’s seriously that delicious. And the best part is, she has graciously agreed to allow me to share her very detailed and thorough recipe (in true teacher fashion!) here on the blog today.

Chocolate Pecan Toffee

Toffee is a classic dessert that’s perfect for gift-giving or holiday parties.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Cooling Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Candy thermometer

Whisk

15×10 inch baking pan greased with butter

Spatula

Space in the freezer or fridge for the baking pan

4-quart saucepan (or larger)

4 sticks of salted butter

2 cups of sugar

6 tablespoons of water

1 cup of pecan pieces

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Ground pecans pecan dust

1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cut the butter into small pieces and place in the saucepan along with the sugar and the water.

Put the stove on medium heat. Stir with a whisk continually until the mixture reaches 305 degrees on the candy thermometer. It takes between 25-35 minutes usually.

Once the mixture reaches 305 degrees, remove from the heat, add the vanilla extract and stir. Watch out, because it will give off steam.

Then, add the pecan pieces to the mixture and stir.

Pour the toffee into the greased pan and use the spatula to spread it out.

Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the toffee and wait a few minutes for them to soften. You may need a little more than a cup depending on your sprinkle technique, so have the bag handy for more. Then, spread them into a smooth layer with the spatula.

Sprinkle the pecan dust on top of the chocolate.

Put the toffee in the freezer/fridge for at least 30 minutes to cool.

When the chocolate pecan toffee is hard, you can break it into bite-sized pieces and enjoy!

Keyword Candy, Pecan Chocolate Toffee, Toffee, Treats

Utensils & Tools

using a candy thermometer for Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe

Candy thermometer
Whisk
15×10 inch baking pan greased with butter
Spatula
Space in the freezer or fridge for the baking pan
4-quart saucepan (or larger)

Baking Instructions

easy steps for Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe

Cut the butter into small pieces and place in the saucepan along with the sugar and the water.

Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe step by step tutorial

2. Put the stove on medium heat. Stir with a whisk continually until the mixture reaches 305 degrees on the candy thermometer. It takes between 25-35 minutes usually. I love using the Power™ Burner on my Maytag range, as it helps me get a slow, even cook when baking.

maytag timer for toffee recipe

I set the timer on the range to ensure that my mixture would hit the 305-degrees within the 25-35 minute mark. It’s very convenient to have a kitchen timer built into the appliance, especially for a rookie baker like me who needs to stay focused! (Fun fact: You can find the best Maytag range for your family’s favorite seasonal recipes here!)

Tip: Colleen also suggests starting at medium heat. She notes that her toffee always seems to plateau at temperatures in the 200s, so she will increase the heat slightly when she hits that plateau. Colleen says that the toffee will go through several stages: soft boil (big foamy bubbles), hard boil (smaller bubbles), and soft crack (thickens with foamy bubbles)… be patient!

Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe

Just like Colleen mentioned, I kept the mixture boiling on medium until it hit that 200-degree plateau.

using a stove top for toffee

That’s when I adjusted the temperature a tad higher so that the mixture would reach that 305 degrees within the 25-35 minute window.

Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe directions

3. Once the mixture reaches 305 degrees, remove from the heat, add the vanilla extract and stir. Watch out, because it will give off steam.

4. Then, add the pecan pieces to the mixture and stir.

5. Pour the toffee into the greased pan and use the spatula to spread it out.

6. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the toffee and wait a few minutes for them to soften. You may need a little more than a cup depending on your sprinkle technique, so have the bag handy for more. Then, spread them into a smooth layer with the spatula

Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe with dusted pecans

7. Sprinkle the pecan dust on top of the chocolate Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe before freezing

Tip: I ended up using small pieces of pecans because I didn’t have the right utensils to grind the pecans down into dust. Colleen always uses dust and hers looks a lot prettier with the dust rather than the large pecan pieces.

refrigerating Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe

8. Put the toffee in the freezer/fridge for at least 30 minutes to cool.

I put my pan uncovered into our new Maytag Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator, which I love because it has so much space! Plus, the adjustable shelves make organizing everything super simple. super easy and delicious Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe

9. When the chocolate pecan toffee is hard, you can break it into bite-sized pieces and enjoy. Colleen uses a knife to get it out of the pan, then she turns it over in the pan and whacks it with a large metal spoon. Some of the pecan dust will fall off, but it won’t be messy if you keep it in the pan!

Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe for the holidays

My plan is to make a few batches to wrap up for all my neighbors this year. It’s so easy to make and the chocolate pecan toffee is too delicious to keep lying around my house (I’d eat all of it!!). I bought little tins to put it in so all I have left to do is wrap the tins up with a bow and add a card. It’s the perfect holiday gift!

I’m excited to share this delicious toffee with them this year, and even more excited for those of you who plan on making the recipe. Please keep me updated if you do, I’d love to know what you think! I think Colleen will be your new bestie once you give this delicious recipe a try.

Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe with Maytag

As you can see, I’m slowly but surely trying to get more comfortable in the kitchen. These beautiful and powerful Maytag appliances are definitely making it easier, and far more fun, to navigate the kitchen! Plus, all the kitchen appliances have a fingerprint resistant stainless steel finish, making it much easier to help clean up after a holiday baking marathon. And trust me, after the holidays I’m going to focus on cooking some healthy meals.