This one is a Nicholson favorite the captain brought to our traditions. His grandmother has made this candy her whole life and she lived to be 101. There’s got to be something life affirming about her recipes.
Now, here’s the trick for us. The best time to make treacle toffee is during a snow day home from work or school. When all the sugars have cooked up, a snow bank will harden the candy the quickest. See my dilemma? This recipe is fun for the whole family as you watch the liquid change colors and raise temperature in stages. Do take the helm of the stove when it’s time to pour the molten liquid into the mold. Sugar will leave a nasty burn and you don’t want the little ones in harm’s way.
Treacle Toffee
Grandma Nicholson
1 pound brown sugar (2 cups)
1 cup molasses
1/4 cup butter (not margarine)
1/2 cup hot water
Mix well and cook over medium heat keeping at a steady boil until it reaches hard boil stage. (We modified this to hard crack stage in attempt to save trips to the dentist when filling have been pried loose.) Pour in well greased pie plate and cool. (A throw away pie tin works best.)
Carefully set in a snow bank to finish hardening. When hard, bring inside and flip over. Bring out the hammer and let the kids go to work. I found in warmer climates in helps to sprinkle with powdered sugar as the extra moisture in the air makes the candy sticky.
Store in an air tight container and enjoy throughout the holidays.
What does treacle toffee taste like? So glad you asked, a hard candy version of Tootsie Rolls.
What’s the first family tradition you make for the holidays?
Mmmm that sounds yummy. No snow here , yet. Soon enough, too soon maybe. 🙂 I was going to say Grandma’s suger cookies. Then remembered I usually make a batch of Cranberry jells 1st, because they take time to cure and are better the longer they sit.
Oh, I love dishes that are better with age. I can always prepare them ahead and not worry.
My Italian Rainbow cookies. They’re a family favorite. I make them early, get them in the freezer and, come Christmas, they’re always the first to come out of the freezer. I’ll have to try your toffee…sounds yummy!
Italian Rainbow Cookies sound wonderful as well.
I love when people share their family recipes!
We’re going to try this just as soon as the snows come. *tapping foot* Ready now!
As long as it’s cold you probably don’t have to wait. But a snow bank is sooo much more fun.
Ok – this sounds insanely delicious! I have ONE memory of making toffee on a wintery day with my Mom. I was likely around 7 and my brother around 9. She stirred and stirred. She worked hard. So hard. Got it all perfect and poured into the pan. My brother and I waited with GREAT anticipation. It was snowing out so instead of placing it directly outside in the elements, she placed the pan on the backseat of the car so it would cool but would be protected.
I can’t remember how long we waited but when we opened the car door to extract our little goody, we found that the toffee has RUN off the pan and coated the lightly fabric seats entirely. Ohhhh…we must have been pulled toffee off the backseat forever!
We never attempted toffee again! LOL!
Natalie, that is too funny! I wouldn’t wait too long to try it again, but no back seat waiting. Just a snow bank will do.
Sounds awesome! The Christmas baker in my family is my dad – he makes fudge, chocolate covered peanuts, peanut brittle, caramels and 5 pound candy. Someday I’ll actually get the recipe for 5 pound candy and share it….it’s sooooooooooooo gooooooood!
No snow banks here yet, Nancy, but we’re due next week!
I bet you could share treacle toffee with your dad and maybe get swap. What do you think?