Crunchy & Buttery Homemade Toffee Bits

DIY toffee bits require just a few minutes of time and they are so worthwhile! Brown sugar and butter are boiled in a saucepan with a pinch of salt and vanilla extract then poured into a thin layer to cool and harden at room temperature. No chilling required. Break apart into the most crunchy, buttery toffee pieces to use in cookies, as an ice cream topping, or to eat plain.

I recommend using a candy thermometer to make this recipe. I include tips below for how to make toffee bits without a candy thermometer, too, if you do not have one.

Add this perfect toffee to Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies or use it in Slice &is Bake Brown Sugar Toffee Shortbread Cookies!

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Why you will love this recipe

Not to be confused with chocolate-covered toffee bits such as Heath bar or Skor bars, homemade english toffee which is made with almonds, or saltine toffee, toffee bits are made simply from brown sugar and plenty of butter. Smaller than bark, this toffee is technically candy, but don't let that intimidate you!

Here are some of the many reasons you'll love making your own crunchy toffee:

• This is an easy recipe and makes for the best toffee shards you can use in your baking recipes such as cookies or blondies, or to give away as holiday treats in cute little packaging.
• If this is your first time making toffee or any kind of candy, you will love how easy and quickly this recipe comes together. And it is better than anything you can buy at the grocery store!
• The best part if toffee is made using simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen pantry. And it takes just 15 minutes to prepare using a small saucepan, then set aside to cool and you've got yourself the best homemade toffee. 

Equipment needed to make delicious toffee bits at home

Candy thermometer

In the homemade candy making cooking process, certain temperatures need to be reached to create the proper consistency.

To make toffee, the hard crack stage needs to be reached. This is when the candy forms hard, brittle strands that break easily. If the toffee does not reach hard crack stage, it will remain soft and pliable when cooled, rather than hard and brittle. Hard crack stage is reached at approximately 305ºF.

The best way to measure if the toffee mixture has reached hard crack stage is with a candy thermometer. The good news is these are inexpensive to purchase and clip onto the side of the pot so you can easily see when the mixture has reached proper temperature.

If you do not have a candy thermometer, keep a very close eye on the boiling butter sugar mixture and stir continuously. The toffee is ready when it has thickened and gotten smoother. This typically takes about 10 minutes on medium-low heat.

Silicone baking mat

Otherwise known as a silpat, these are reusable mats used for baking. They provide a nonstick surface perfect for baking and for making toffee. The mat will not melt when the boiling mixture is poured on top of it and the hardened toffee will easily peel off the silicone mat once cooled.

I would not recommend using wax paper, as it may melt when the boiling toffee mixture is poured on top. Parchment paper is a good substitute for the silicone baking mat if you do not have one.

Baking sheet or jelly roll pan

Line the baking sheet or jelly roll pan with the silicone baking mat and place this next to the stovetop where you are making the toffee mixture. This enables you to immediately pour out the hot butter sugar mixture onto the pan to cool because the toffee will immediately start to cool and harden once removed form the heat. Therefore, you will want to be prepared to pour out the toffee quickly once it has reached the proper temperature.

How to make this homemade toffee recipe

Step 1

Place a silicone baking mat or piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet and set right next to the stove top.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, add the brown sugar, butter, pinch of salt, and vanilla.

Step 3

Place over medium-low heat, bringing to a boil while stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula or wooden spoon until the mixture just starts to brown and thicken, about 10 minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 305ºF (hard crack stage).

If the butter separates from the sugar, remove the pan from the heat and whisk vigorously until combined. Return the pan to the heat and continue cooking over medium heat.

Step 4

Once the toffee mixture has reached 305ºF, immediately remove from the heat and pour the hot sugar and butter mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet, quickly spreading into an even layer. Allow to cool at room temperature at least 20 minutes or until hardened.

Step 5

Once cool, break up into small pieces with your hands or by gently banging with a rolling pin or mallet. Be gentle, as the pieces break easily and will fly all over your kitchen if hit too hard.

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How to store homemade toffee bits

Place toffee pieces in an airtight container, bowl with a lid, or ziplock bag until ready to use. Toffee should be stored at room temperature and will keep for up to two weeks.

Toffee makes for the perfect addition to cookie recipes, blondies, and shortbread, like in my Slice & Bake Brown Sugar Toffee Shortbread Cookies. Add the toffee bits like you would chocolate chips and stir into the dough or batter.

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