Salted Cashew Crunch Toffee Recipe

A Golden, Buttery Candy with the Perfect Sweet-Salty Bite

If the smell of toasted nuts and bubbling caramelized sugar sends you into a holiday daydream, this Salted Cashew Crunch Toffee is about to become your next favorite treat. Crunchy, sweet, rich, and salty, this Cashew Toffee Recipe is tailor-made for festive occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and homemade gift-giving.

With a handful of pantry staples and a candy thermometer, you can whip up a batch of Homemade Cashew Toffee that tastes even better than what you’d find in a fancy candy shop. It’s a glorious combination of golden toffee, roasted cashew crunch, and optional toppings like coconut or chocolate. Whether you’re searching for Thanksgiving Candy Recipes or an easy Butter Toffee Cashews Recipe, this one is guaranteed to impress.

🥄 What Is Toffee?

Toffee is a type of confection made by caramelizing sugar with butter and sometimes corn syrup. Cooked to the hard crack stage (typically 300°F/149°C), it sets into a crunchy, breakable slab that’s often topped with nuts, chocolate, or coconut.

In this version, we’re using cashews as the star nut. Their naturally buttery flavor pairs perfectly with the caramel base, creating a silky-smooth, addictive bite. This isn’t just any toffee—this is Cashew Crunch, upgraded with a salty finish and optional flavor twists.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Cashew Toffee Recipe

• No candy shop needed – It’s easy to make right at home.
• Customizable – Add chocolate, coconut, or make it dairy-free.
• Perfect for gifts – Package in bags or jars for festive edible presents.
• Long shelf life – Store well for weeks if sealed.
• Better than store-bought – Fresh, flavorful, and no preservatives.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this golden and crunchy Toffee Cashews Recipe, gather the following:

🧰 Tools and Equipment

• Medium to large heavy-bottomed saucepan
• Candy thermometer
• Wooden spoon or heatproof silicone spatula
• Baking sheet lined with parchment or silicone mat
• Sharp knife (to cut) or hands (to break) the finished toffee

👩‍🍳 How to Make Salted Cashew Crunch Toffee

🔥 Step 1: Prepare Ahead

Before you begin cooking, prep your workspace:

• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Measure all ingredients and keep them within reach—once the sugar mixture starts cooking, timing is crucial.

🧈 Step 2: Make the Toffee Base

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to bubble.

TIP: Use a candy thermometer and clip it to the side of the pot to monitor the temperature accurately.

🌡️ Step 3: Cook to Hard Crack Stage

Allow the mixture to cook undisturbed (stirring only if necessary to avoid burning). Watch the thermometer closely until the mixture reaches 300°F (149°C)—the hard crack stage.

• This stage ensures the toffee will cool hard and brittle.
• The color should be a rich, golden caramel, and the texture thick.

🥜 Step 4: Add Cashews and Vanilla

Immediately remove the pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and 1 cup of the chopped cashews. Be cautious—the mixture will bubble up and release steam.

🍬 Step 5: Pour and Spread

Quickly pour the hot toffee onto your prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it into an even, thin layer (about ¼ inch thick).

🍫 Step 6: Top It Off

While the toffee is still hot:

• Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of chopped cashews evenly across the top.
• Press them in gently with a spatula.
• Optional: Add toasted coconut or chocolate chips. If adding chocolate, let it melt and spread it into a smooth coating.

For Coconut Toffee: Toast shredded coconut in a dry skillet until golden brown. Sprinkle over the toffee while it’s hot.

❄️ Step 7: Cool Completely

Let the toffee sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours or until completely hardened. You can also refrigerate it to speed up the process.

🔪 Step 8: Break Into Pieces

Once firm, break the toffee into bite-sized shards using your hands or a sharp knife. Store in an airtight container.

🍽️ How to Serve and Store

• Serve as a snack on dessert platters, charcuterie boards, or with coffee and tea.
• Pack in jars or treat bags as a gift during the holidays.
• Storage: Keeps well at room temperature for 2-3 weeks in a sealed container. For long-term storage, refrigerate or freeze with parchment paper between layers.

🌰 Fun Flavor Variations

🥥 1. Coconut Cashew Toffee

• Add toasted coconut to the top for a tropical twist.
• Perfect for fans of Coconut Toffee.

🍫 2. Chocolate Cashew Toffee

• Sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot toffee, wait 1 minute, then spread into a glossy layer.
• Once cooled, break and serve.

🍯 3. Honey Cashew Crunch

• Swap light corn syrup for honey. The result will be a deeper flavor and slightly chewier texture.

🌬️ 4. Sponge Toffee Recipe Style

• Add 1 teaspoon baking soda after removing the mixture from the heat. Stir vigorously, then pour immediately.
• The mixture will foam and create a honeycomb structure—great for lovers of Sponge Toffee Recipes.

🥜 5. Mixed Toffee Nuts

• Replace half the cashews with pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts for a mixed Toffee Nuts variation.

🎁 Holiday Gifting Tips

This Butter Toffee Cashews Recipe is perfect for making ahead and giving:

• Wrap in clear bags tied with ribbon.
• Layer in a mason jar with fabric and a gift tag.
• Include in a holiday candy box alongside fudge, brittle, or chocolate bark.

Add a handwritten note: “Homemade Cashew Toffee – made with love!”

🧂 Cashew vs. Other Toffees

So why cashews over almonds or pecans? Here’s why cashews shine:

• Naturally buttery and soft, they blend seamlessly into the toffee.
• Roasted salted cashews enhance the sweet-salty balance.
• Ideal for a smooth crunch (almonds can sometimes be too hard).

If you’ve tried almond or peanut brittle before, this Cashew Crunch is a deliciously different take you’ll love.

🧁 Pairing and Serving Suggestions

Make this toffee the star of your dessert table:

• Serve with coffee or espresso as an after-dinner bite.
• Pair with ice cream for crunch.
• Crumble over brownies or cheesecake for texture.
• Add to a dessert grazing board with fruits, cookies, and chocolate.

📌 Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about making candy from scratch—watching sugar and butter transform into golden perfection, stirring in roasted nuts, and breaking apart the glossy slab once it cools. This Salted Cashew Crunch Toffee is nostalgic, elegant, and just the right amount of indulgent.

Whether you’re looking for a new Thanksgiving Candy Recipe, creating your own Butter Toffee Cashews Recipe, or just want to try a classic Homemade Cashew Toffee, this easy, reliable recipe delivers. Customize it, share it, savor it.