Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe for the Holidays | The DIY Playbook (2024)

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.

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 towork 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 withfrom 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

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.

Utensils & Tools

• 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

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

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.

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 alwaysseems to plateau at temperatures in the 200s, so she will increase the heat slightly when she hits that plateau. Colleen says thatthe toffee will go through several stages: soft boil (big foamy bubbles), hard boil (smaller bubbles), and soft crack (thickens with foamy bubbles)… be patient!

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

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.

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

7. Sprinkle the pecan dust on top of the chocolate

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.

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 Ilove because it has so much space! Plus, the adjustable shelves make organizing everything super simple.

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!

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.

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.

If you have any go-to options that you LOVE, let me know so I can add them to my list!

Bridget