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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Candy Recipes

    Published: Nov 30, 2019 · Modified: Nov 11, 2024 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

    Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch

    Jump to Recipe
    A Pinterest image with title text for Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch.
    A pinterest image of Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch along with a title text.

    When you care enough to give the very best, this recipe for Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch candy should be at the very top of your gift-giving list.

     A closeup vertical photo of toffee cashew clusters on a blue plate.

    You're going to love how easily this delicious cashew brittle with chocolate comes together.

    This recipe post and its contents may include affiliate links for your consideration. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, but your prices are never increased as a result. Thank you.

    Table of Contents Found Here
    • Why this recipe works -
    • The ingredient list:
    • Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
    • Is a candy thermometer necessary to make this recipe?
    • What happens if the toffee doesn't get to the hard-crack temperature?
    • Caution! There is a danger of heating toffee over too high of heat.
    • What you need to know about high-altitude candy making -
    • Can this toffee cashew crunch be stored in the fridge after it's made?
    • Can this candy be frozen after it's made?
    • The easy step-by-step instructions:
    • Additional homemade candy recipes:
    • Printable Recipe Card
    • Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch
    • Please comment if you've made this recipe.

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. IT'S FREE!! Thanks, and I can't wait to see you there!!
    Closeup vertical photo of a pile of toffee cashew crunch on a blue plate with a dark chocolate drizzle.

    Why this recipe works -

    I love toffee. I love cashews. I love chocolate. And I love candy! But this isn't about me!

    If you do, too, then this easy to make homemade candy recipe for crunchy butter toffee cashew crunch is one you'll want in your recipe arsenal!

    Not only will this homemade candy make a terrific and thoughtful gift from your kitchen, but it's also one that you'll make time and again throughout the year, if only because you love toffee, cashews, chocolate, and candy!

    The ingredient list:

    **Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

    • Butter (I use salted)
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Coarse Salt
    • Pure Vanilla Extract
    • Roasted Salted Cashews
    • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

    • Candy Thermometer
    • Heavy Bottom Saucepan
    • Wooden Spoon or Spatula
    • Whisk
    • Baking Sheet
    • Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil
    • Baking Spray
    • Microwave-Save Bowl (for melting chocolate)
    • Candy Bags or Candy Boxes for Gift Giving (optional)
    Overhead picture of a blue scalloped plated filled with butter toffee cashew crunch with chocolate.

    Is a candy thermometer necessary to make this recipe?

    Yes, it is!

    In order to make toffee, you need to get the sugar and butter mixture to the "hard-crack" stage which is anywhere between 295 - 309 degrees Fahrinhight (146 - 154 degrees celsius).

    The only way to do this with the utmost accuracy is to use a candy thermometer.

    What happens if the toffee doesn't get to the hard-crack temperature?

    It wouldn't be the end of the world, certainly. It's candy after all. LOL

    However, the consistency would be more like a chewy caramel, or taffy, which is never a bad thing.

    All that said, for this homemade candy recipe I was aiming for a crunchy butter toffee, so the recipe is written as such.

    Caution! There is a danger of heating toffee over too high of heat.

    Why? Because the mixture can "break" and separate leaving the butter and the sugar as two separate entities that never fully combine.

    Always heat your toffee over medium or medium/high heat. Never over high heat for extended periods of time!

    Remember...good things come to those who wait!

    What you need to know about high-altitude candy making -

    Please note that if you're making this recipe at high-altitude, you'll need to adjust the designated temperature on the candy thermometer just a touch.

    Instead of shooting for 300 degrees, aim instead for 297 or 298 degrees as the hard crack stage. For more information regarding candy making in high altitudes, please refer to this article from Spruce Eats.

    Can this toffee cashew crunch be stored in the fridge after it's made?

    No. Don't do it!

    Save this for later.

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

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    Keeping chocolate in the refrigerator will cause condensation, which will make the dark chocolate turn hazy and spotty.

    *Complete Disclaimer* - I tried to rush the hardening stage while making this recipe (for photography purposes) by placing my chocolate drizzled toffee cashew crunch outside when the weather was a tad too cold.

    The results (as you can tell from the photos) are very small white blemish spots on my candy which shouldn't be there. The "spots" in no way affect the flavor of the candy, but they don't look quite as "pretty" as they should.

    Take that out of the book of "do as I say, not as I do," and don't make the same mistake I did, thinking that only a few minutes won't matter. Take your time, and let them harden naturally, without the use of cold temperatures.

    Can this candy be frozen after it's made?

    YES! Odd right, don't refrigerate, but freezing is okay? What's up with that?

    As long as the candy is wrapped very well, with all the air removed from the packaging, this butter toffee cashew crunch can be frozen for up to three months without harm to the appearance, or taste.

    Since freezing happens relatively quickly, there is far less time for condensation to form so the chocolate should remain unblemished.

    The easy step-by-step instructions:

    • Melt the butter in the heavy bottom saucepan over medium heat.
    • Add the sugar and whisk to combine.
    • Add the candy thermometer to the pan and cook the mixture over medium/high heat, stirring pretty much continually.
    Melting butter in a saucepan.
    Sugar being added to melted butter in a saucepan.
    Melted butter and a whisk in a saucepan.
    A candy thermometer in a saucepan.
    • Once the mixture is at a low boil, add the salt and stir.
    • Continue stirring over medium/high heat, cooking the toffee until the mixture reaches approximately 300-degrees (hard-crack stage) on a candy thermometer.
    • Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spray liberally with baking spray.
    • Once the toffee reaches the hard-crack stage, remove from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract, and the cashews.
    Salt being added to a boiling mixture in a saucepan.
    A boiling mixture in a saucepan.
    A candy thermometer in a saucepan.
    Baking spray being added to a parchment sheet of paper.
    A candy thermometer at 300 degrees.
    A candy thermometer at 350 degrees.
    Vanilla being added to a saucepan.
    A whisk in a saucepan with toffee.
    A brown toffee in a saucepan with a whisk.
    Cashews added to a saucepan making toffee.
    • Once the cashews are thoroughly coated in the toffee, spread them out into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
    • Cool completely.
    • Once cooled, break the candy into bite-sized pieces.
    • In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate on low/medium power (stirring often) until smooth and creamy.
    • Drizzle the melted chocolate liberally over the butter toffee cashew crunch, and allow the candy to harden at room temperature.
    • Break again into bite-sized pieces, if desired.
    A wooden spoon in a saucepan with cashew toffee.
    Cashew toffee on a parchment sheet.
    Cashew toffee spread out on a parchment baking sheet.
    Cashew toffee spread out on a parchment baking sheet.
    Cashew Toffee in pieces on a baking sheet.
    Broken Cashew Toffee on a baking sheet.
    Chocolate chips in a glass bowl.
    Melting chocolate chips in a glass bowl.
    Smooth melted chocolate in a glass bowl.
    Melted chocolate being drizzled over cashew toffee.
    Melted chocolate being drizzled over cashew toffee.
    Closeup photo of butter toffee cashew crunch candy with chocolate drizzle.

    Additional homemade candy recipes:

    Old-Fashioned Apple Chews Homemade Candy (pictured below) uses a minimum of basic ingredients that come together into a chewy, sweet, and nutty treat that tastes like apple pie.

    A hand holding an Old-Fashioned Apple Chews Candy with a bite taken out.

    Coconut-Pecan Praline Candy (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen

    "You can either thank me for this recipe of coconut pecan praline candy or curse me out! They’re so good and so addicting you may eat them all by yourself! Sorry. Not sorry!"

    Square plate of pecan pralines with a blue striped napkin.

    Double Chocolate Graham Cracker Toffee (pictured below)

    "This Double Chocolate Graham Cracker Toffee wins my (self-proclaimed) blue ribbon award for the best and easiest candy I have ever made. Since I’ve made it twice in the past week, that’s proof positive! When you make it, you’ll understand why! Trust me."

    Double Chocolate Graham Cracker Toffee with Almonds on a wooden board with a blue and brown napkin.

    Colossal Homemade Candy Roundup (pictured below) from your favorite Food Bloggers all around the web

    "Today’s best Homemade Candy Recipe Roundup is for those of us who enjoy giving, making, and eating delicious homemade gifts of love during the holidays. Sweet!"

    Vertical title text collage image of homemade candy recipe roundup.
    • Homemade Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch (pictured below) This is the place!!
    Title text vertical closeup image of butter toffee cashew crunch on a blue plate with a tan napkin.

    When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.

    Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!

    Printable Recipe Card

    A blue plate loaded with Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch.

    Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch

    Renee Goerger
    When you care enough to give the very best, Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch should be at the very top of your gift-giving list.
    Have you made this recipe?Please Comment and Rate
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Save this recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Additional Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course dessert - candy, homemade candy
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 cups
    Calories 577 kcal

    Equipment

    • heavy bottom saucepan
    • candy thermometer
    • whisk
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • kitchen scale optional
    • baking sheet
    • parchment paper
    • baking spray
    • wooden spoon

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 16 tablespoons 2 sticks butter
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1½ cups roasted salted, cashews
    • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels melted
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Melt the butter in a medium-sized heavy-bottom saucepan over medium.
    • Add the sugar and whisk to combine.
    • Stir in the salt.
    • Increase the heat to medium/high and, using a candy thermometer, continue to cook and stir gently, yet very frequently, until the mixture until the toffee reaches the hard-crack temperature on the candy thermometer of 300-degrees Fahrenheit. *Note - this can take up to 10 minutes or more. Do NOT walk away from the stovetop.
    • **Special Note - NEVER heat the toffee over high heat as this will cause the candy mixture to break and separate. See notes below for high-altitude instructions.
    • Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it liberally with baking spray. Set aside.
    • Once the toffee has reached the hard-crack temperature, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, and the cashews until evenly coated.
    • Spread the butter toffee cashews in an even layer onto the prepared baking sheet and cool completely.
    • Once cooled, break the candy into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
    • Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl (on medium/low power) and stir frequently, until smooth and creamy.
    • Drizzle the melted chocolate over the butter toffee cashew crunch candy and allow the candy to set until firm. Do NOT refrigerate.
    • Store in an airtight container in a cool location.

    Notes

    Store candy in a cool place in an airtight container.
    Do not refrigerate.
    NOTE FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE CANDY MAKING: Bring the candy mixture to 297-298 degrees instead of 300 to prevent the candy from breaking. Cook the candy mixture on low heat, stirring very frequently.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 577kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 23gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 197mgPotassium: 590mgFiber: 4gSugar: 67gVitamin A: 35IUCalcium: 33mgIron: 3mg

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's homemade candy recipe for butter toffee cashew crunch as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

    Horizontal photo of a platter of butter toffee cashew crunch with a chocolate drizzle and a blue and tan striped napkin.

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!

    Please don't forget to like and follow me across all of my SM channels, and while you're at it stop by and say hello! I'll be looking for you! 🙂

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    Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

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    More Candy Recipes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.32 from 32 votes (31 ratings without comment)

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    1. Cathy Thomas says

      December 18, 2023 at 8:08 am

      5 stars
      Made this last night, OMG!!
      It is so good!!
      It was a little thick how can I spread it to make the pieces more evenly sized?
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        December 18, 2023 at 9:18 am

        Hi, Cathy!
        I'm glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the 5-star review. I appreciate it.
        I think the key to having it more evenly sized is to move quickly while the toffee is still
        hot and pliable. Also, use a buttered (or sprayed) spatula so it glides over the candy
        instead of getting stuck in it. I hope that makes sense.
        Take good care, and happy holidays!
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Brenda A Zajicek says

      December 10, 2023 at 1:32 pm

      I live at high altitude (colorado) and I'm followed this recipe to a T. I kept my heat no higher than medium and my sugar/butter mixture broke. what did I do wrong?

      Reply
      • Renée says

        December 11, 2023 at 7:14 am

        Hello, Brenda!
        I'm sorry that happened and I had to do some research as to a probable cause.
        I found out that in higher altitudes the hard crack stage would be a few degrees less than what was printed in the recipe.
        297 or 298 on a candy thermometer would have been the sweet spot. Also, to have cooked it at medium/low would have been even more insurance.
        I'm so sorry that I hadn't had this type of high-altitude information in my post at first, but I'm going to add it now.
        For a wealth more information on high-altitude candy making check out this article from Spruce Eats - https://www.thespruceeats.com/adjusting-candy-temperatures-for-high-altitude-cooking-520317
        I hope this information is helpful and I do hope you'll try this recipe again and let me know how it works out for you.
        Take good care,
        Renee

        Reply
    3. Peg says

      May 29, 2022 at 9:41 am

      I made this 3 times and each time it burned. I have a gas stove and the third time I only cooked it on low and I all 3 times stirred it constantly and the last time I took it off at 280 degrees. But as soon as I took it off the burner, the temp jumped over 300 and it tastes burnt. Not as bad as the other two times though. I’m wondering if my pan was a little too big which kept the mixture from being as high in the pan as it should have been. Not sure if I’m going to try again. Any advice I’d appreciate.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        May 29, 2022 at 12:43 pm

        Hi, Peg.
        I'm very sorry to hear that you've been having problems.
        I'm glad you knew to lower your heat (a good first step) but the fact that it's still burning is a stumper.
        Let me ask you this...do you think your candy thermometer could be off?
        If not, is there any chance you live in a high-altitude area?
        I've read that cooking sugar for candy making in higher altitudes should be cooked to 10-degrees lower than what the recipe calls for, so 290-degrees would be your target temperature for this particular recipe.
        Other than that, I'm afraid you've given me something to ponder, and I'll try and come up with other answers for you.
        Again, I'm sorry you're having such problems as I know that this candy is not exactly on the thrifty side to make.
        I'll comment again if I come up with anything else for you.
        Until then, I hope these two suggestions are helpful.
        Take care,
        Renee

        Reply
    4. Nadine Carey says

      July 29, 2021 at 11:20 pm

      I am going to make the Butter Toffee cashew crunch but it calls for roasted, salted cashews. Do I need to roast the bag of salted cashews before putting them in the toffee?

      Reply
      • Renée says

        July 30, 2021 at 7:44 am

        Hi, Nadine!
        If the cashews you have are already salted, then I'm guessing that they've already been roasted.
        However, if you have raw cashews then I suggest roasting and salting them first to bring out all that wonderful flavor.
        Roasted cashews are a deeper color (a dark tan) and raw cashews are a light tan, almost the same color as the inside of an almond.
        I hope this information helps.
        Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
        Enjoy the recipe.
        Renee

        Reply
    5. Peggy says

      December 11, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      Can you just pour chocolate over the nut mixture then break? Thanks!

      Reply
    6. Claudia Lamascolo says

      December 01, 2019 at 12:51 pm

      There is no way I would share this with anyone its mine all mine! Yummy have a blessed season xo hugs

      Reply
    7. Jen says

      December 01, 2019 at 11:13 am

      Delicious and addicting for sure!

      Reply

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