Toffee McGreevey, a delectable treat hailing from the pages of the February 1999 issue of Gourmet, is a confectionery masterpiece that promises to tantalize your taste buds with its harmonious blend of buttery richness, crunchy almonds, and luscious chocolate. 🍫 Crafted with care and attention to detail, this recipe ensures a delightful culinary experience that’s perfect for any occasion, whether you’re indulging in a sweet treat after dinner or sharing homemade gifts during the festive season.
🕒 Cook Time: 30 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 6 tablespoons water
- 12 ounces slivered almonds, toasted and chopped
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Toast Almonds: Spread almonds in a single layer on a shallow baking pan and toast in the middle of the oven until they turn a pale golden hue and emit a fragrant aroma, approximately 10 minutes. Once toasted, allow the nuts to cool before finely chopping 1/2 cup of them.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Lightly oil a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch metal baking pan to prevent the toffee from sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan (preferably 2-3 quarts in size), cut the butter into 16 pieces. Add the sugar, corn syrup, and 2 tablespoons of water to the saucepan.
- Boil Mixture: Over moderate to high heat, bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves completely. Continue to boil the mixture, stirring occasionally, until a candy or digital thermometer registers 290°F (143°C), which should take about 7 minutes.
- Add Almonds: Once the desired temperature is reached, swiftly stir in the finely chopped almonds and promptly pour the hot toffee mixture into the prepared baking pan.
- Spread Toffee: Using an offset spatula or a wooden spatula, quickly spread the toffee into an even layer, ensuring it reaches as close to the edges of the pan as possible.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Let the toffee stand for 1 minute to cool slightly (though it will still be very hot), then sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips evenly over the surface of the toffee.
- Melt Chocolate: Allow the chocolate chips to melt onto the warm toffee. Once melted, use a spatula to evenly spread the chocolate over the toffee layer.
- Sprinkle with Nuts: Sprinkle the remaining chopped almonds evenly over the melted chocolate, gently pressing them into the surface to ensure they adhere.
- Chill Toffee: Transfer the baking pan to the refrigerator and chill the toffee until the chocolate layer is firm, which typically takes at least 2 hours. You can store the toffee in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, ensuring it’s tightly covered after the initial 2 hours.
- Serve: Once chilled, break the toffee into bite-size pieces and enjoy! For optimal texture and flavor, keep the toffee chilled to prevent the chocolate from melting.
Indulge in the irresistible allure of Toffee McGreevey, a timeless classic that’s sure to leave a lasting impression on your palate. Whether you’re treating yourself to a well-deserved indulgence or sharing the joy with loved ones, this delightful confection is bound to become a cherished favorite in your repertoire of sweet delights.
