Indulge in Ina Garten’s Dreamy White Chocolate Toffee Recipe

Sweet lovers rejoice as this white chocolate toffee recipe from Ina Garten promises pure decadence in every bite.

Buttery, golden layers melt seamlessly with rich chocolate and crunchy caramelized edges.

The secret lies in precision and quality ingredients that create an irresistible treat.

Each batch delivers a luxurious confection that feels both elegant and comforting.

Crisp toffee shards glistening with white chocolate will make your taste buds dance with delight.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike can master this delectable dessert with simple techniques.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to impress everyone with this mouthwatering confection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 12

Pantry Picks for Ina Garten’s White Chocolate Toffee

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for toffee with deep golden flavor, choose high-quality European-style butter for best results.
• Sugar: Transforms into caramel backbone, select pure cane sugar for smooth crystallization.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances depth and warmth, use pure Madagascar bourbon vanilla for complex aroma.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor, pick coarse-grain salt for controlled seasoning.

• White Chocolate: Creates smooth, sweet coating, select premium chocolate with high cocoa butter content for glossy finish.
• Cashews: Adds nutty crunch and buttery texture, look for raw, unsalted varieties.
• Pistachios: Provides vibrant green color and earthy flavor, choose roasted kernels for enhanced taste.
• Crystallized Ginger: Introduces spicy-sweet complexity, select soft, bright pieces without excess sugar coating.
• Dried Cranberries: Offers tart burst and jewel-like appearance, pick plump, glossy berries without added preservatives.
• Fleur de Sel: Delivers elegant mineral finish, select hand-harvested sea salt for delicate texture.

Tools Required for Ina Garten’s Crunchy Toffee

• Large metal cake pan (23×30 cm): Essential for creating and setting the toffee base.
• Medium pot or Dutch oven (25-28 cm): Perfect for cooking the toffee mixture evenly.
• Heatproof bowl: Needed for melting white chocolate over simmering water.
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula: Great for stirring toffee and spreading chocolate smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Useful for scoring toffee lines before chocolate sets.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient measurements.
• Stovetop and simmering water setup: Critical for chocolate melting technique.

Making Toffee the Ina Garten Way

• Pan Preparation

Grab a metal cake pan and generously coat it with butter, ensuring every nook and cranny is protected.

• Toffee Creation

In a spacious pot, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Dance the ingredients over medium heat, stirring with enthusiasm. Watch the mixture transform from pale to golden, then deep caramel. Pour this liquid gold into the prepared pan, letting it spread beautifully. Allow a quick five-minute cooling period and gently mark cutting lines.

• Chocolate Magic

Melt white chocolate using a gentle water bath technique. Stir until silky smooth and luxurious.

• Delightful Topping

Drizzle the molten white chocolate over the cooling toffee. Scatter an array of crunchy cashews, vibrant pistachios, zesty crystallized ginger, and tangy dried cranberries across the surface. Finish with a delicate sprinkle of fleur de sel for that perfect salty kick.

• Setting and Serving

Allow the toffee to rest at room temperature for a couple of hours until the chocolate sets completely. Break into rustic pieces and savor the symphony of flavors and textures.

Mix & Match with Ina Garten’s Toffee Options

• Maintain consistent stirring while cooking to prevent burning and ensure a smooth, golden caramel without dark spots.
• Swap nuts based on preference – try almonds, pecans, or macadamia nuts for different flavor profiles and crunch levels.
• Store toffee pieces in an airtight container between parchment layers at room temperature for up to 7 days, keeping texture crisp and fresh.
• Use low, steady heat when melting white chocolate to prevent seizing, stirring gently and consistently for glossy, smooth coverage.
• Allow toffee to cool slightly before adding chocolate topping, ensuring the base doesn't melt the white chocolate layer and maintains distinct texture separation.

Ways to Share and Serve Ina Garten’s Toffee

• Pair with Sweet Companions: Serve alongside a steaming cup of earl grey tea or rich espresso to balance the toffee's sweetness and enhance the dessert's complex flavors.
• Create Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange broken toffee pieces on a beautiful marble or wooden board, interspersing with fresh mint leaves and additional whole nuts for a sophisticated presentation.
• Gift with Personal Touch: Package toffee in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, adding a handwritten label for a charming homemade gift perfect for holidays or special occasions.
• Transform into Dessert Topping: Crumble toffee pieces over vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt, or pound cake to add delightful crunch and rich caramel undertones.

Keep It Crisp: Ina Garten’s Toffee Storage Ideas

• Refrigerate for Freshness: Store the white chocolate toffee in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Cool temperatures prevent chocolate from melting and maintain its crisp texture.
• Freeze for Long-Term Storage: Wrap individual toffee pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen toffee can last up to 3 months without losing its delightful crunch or flavor profile.
• Room Temperature Tips: Keep toffee away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Store in a cool, dry place at 65-70°F to prevent chocolate from softening or developing a whitish bloom.
• Quick Serving Hack: Remove toffee from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow it to reach optimal texture and taste. This brief warming time helps restore the chocolate's smooth consistency and enhances the nutty flavor of the toppings.

Incredible Ina Garten White Chocolate Toffee Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa white chocolate toffee elevates classic dessert with Ina Garten’s signature touch of elegance. Crisp, buttery layers meld rich chocolate and caramel notes for an irresistible sweet experience you will crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 ½ tsps pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 12 oz white chocolate (such as Callebaut), roughly chopped
• ½ cup salted, roasted cashews
• ½ cup shelled, salted, roasted pistachios
• ½ cup crystallized ginger (not in syrup), ¼-inch diced (3 oz)
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• Fleur de sel

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Instructions

1. Pan Preparation: Meticulously butter a 23×30 centimeters metal pan, ensuring comprehensive coverage of interior surfaces.
2. Caramel Creation: In a medium pot, combine butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Heat over medium flame, stirring periodically until butter melts. Continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, maintaining consistent stirring while watching the color transition from pale to golden amber. Quickly pour the molten caramel into the prepared pan, gently tilting to achieve uniform distribution. Allow 5 minutes of resting, then delicately score horizontal and vertical grid lines using a sharp knife.
3. Chocolate Transformation: Employ a double boiler technique to melt white chocolate. Position white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, stirring gently until achieving a silky, luminous texture.
4. Topping Assembly: Cascade the melted white chocolate over the partially cooled caramel foundation. Utilize a spatula to spread chocolate evenly. Artfully scatter cashews, pistachios, crystallized ginger, and dried cranberries across the surface. Conclude by delicately dusting fleur de sel over the entire confection.
5. Setting and Serving: Allow the toffee to stabilize at room temperature for a minimum of 2 hours, ensuring complete chocolate solidification. Once fully set, strategically fracture the toffee along pre-scored lines, creating rustic, irregular pieces ready for indulgence.

Notes

• Butter Pan Perfectly: Use softened butter and coat every millimeter of the pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the toffee.
• Caramel Color Watch: Monitor the caramel closely during cooking; color shifts from pale to golden indicate ideal caramelization, which impacts overall flavor and texture.
• Chocolate Melting Technique: Gentle, indirect heat prevents chocolate from burning or seizing, maintaining a smooth, glossy consistency for perfect coating.
• Topping Distribution Strategy: Sprinkle nuts, fruits, and ginger evenly across the surface to guarantee balanced flavor in every bite, ensuring each piece has a mix of textures and tastes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg