Toffee Chocolate Nut Wedges Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or greased parchment or wax paper.
• In a large sized heavy-bottomed sauce pan, with a candy thermometer attached, bring all the ingredients, excluding the chocolate, to a boil over medium low heat.
• Continue to cook and stir the mixture until it reads 275 degrees F on the candy thermometer.
• The mixture will be much thicker. Stir constantly until it reaches 315 degrees F, which will happen pretty quickly. Remove it from the heat and stir until very smooth, just a few seconds.
• Pour the toffee onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Using a spatula, spread the toffee out, working quickly because the toffee will set fast.
• Using a pastry wheel or pizza cutter, VERY GENTLY (you don't want to cut so deep that it actually reaches the bottom or you may destroy your silpat) score the toffee into bite sized pieces.
• You should get about 72 pieces. Again work quickly so the toffee doesn't set before you are done.
• Allow the toffee to sit until it is room temperature and then break apart the pieces.
• Melt the chocolate over a double boiler until perfectly smooth. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to just above room temperature. If the chocolate is too hot it will run off the toffee and not give you a nice coating, if it is too cold it will be too thick to work with.
• Set up a second baking sheet with a sheet of parchment or wax paper.
• Drop a piece of the toffee into the chocolate. Use a fork to flip the toffee over to coat the other side.
• Lift the covered toffee from the chocolate and shake gently to allow the excess to fall away.
• In order to get a nice smooth bottom, you want to scrape the bottom of the fork on the edge of the bowl, before laying it on the parchment to harden.
• If you want to sprinkle with toasted nuts and sea salt, this is the time.
• Continue dipping until they are all covered in chocolate. Allow them to sit out in a cool spot to set up or you can set them in the refrigerator for a few minutes until they are firm.
• Fill decorative bags as gifts for Valentine's Day.

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the popcorn kernels and cover the pot. Once the popcorn starts to pop, reduce the heat to medium. Hold the lid on the pot and shake the pot until the popping stops. Transfer the popped popcorn to a large bowl and discard any unpopped kernels. Add the pecans.
• Butter two large rimmed baking sheets. In a medium-sized heavy-bottomed pot with a candy thermometer attached, heat the butter, sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons water over medium heat, swirling the pot occasionally, until the butter has melted. Cook the mixture until the candy thermometer reads 300 degrees F. Then remove the pot from the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla. Be careful; it will spatter a bit. Stir in the baking soda.
• Carefully pour the mixture over the popcorn, and immediately stir the popcorn well to coat it in the warm toffee. Spread the coated popcorn out on the prepared baking sheets, and sprinkle with salt. Let the popcorn stand until it is completely cool.
• Transfer the chocolate to a double boiler or large heat-proof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water. Melt the chocolate, stirring it occasionally. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Carefully drop a few pieces of popcorn into the melted chocolate and flip it around with two forks. Lift the coated popcorn out, tap it against the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate, and transfer it to the parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with half of the remaining popcorn. Transfer the chocolate-dipped popcorn to the fridge until set, about 20 minutes. Extra chocolate can be cooled, wrapped in plastic, and used again.
• When the chocolate popcorn has set, toss it with the plain toffee popcorn in a large bowl, and serve. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Steps:

• Melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Stir in the sugar.
• Stir constantly until the toffee mixture turns a lovely caramel color. (You don't necessarily need a candy thermometer, but if you want to use one, the mixture is at around 280-300°F at this point).
• You can add the nuts now, or wait and sprinkle them on top of the chocolate.
• Carefully pour the hot toffee onto a large cookie sheet (a rimmed cookie sheet or you'll coat your counter with hot toffee) that's been lightly coated with cooking spray.
• After a few minutes, when the toffee begins to set up but is still hot, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
• Once melted, spread out the chocolate to evenly coat the toffee. If you didn't already mix in the nuts, sprinkle them on top of the still warm chocolate -- or mix the nuts in AND sprinkle them on top, knock yourself out.
• Once the toffee is completely cooled, you can break it up into bite size pieces.

Steps:

• Position oven rack on middle rung. Heat oven to 350*. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9 1/2" tart pan with a removable bottom.
• In a large bowl, combine the butter, dark brown sugar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat just until combined. Pour in the flour and beat on low speed until the dough begins to clump together. Scrape the dough into the prepared pan, scattering the pieces evenly. Using your fingertips (lightly floured if necessary), pat the dough into the bottom (not up the sides) of the pan to form an even layer. Bake until the top looks dry and dough begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, 25 to 27 minute
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate with the cream in a double boiler or in the microwave. Stir until smooth. When the crust is baked, transfer the pan to a rack. Pour the warm ganache (chocolate cream mixture) over the warm crust and spread evenly to within 1/2 inch of the edge. Scatter the pecans evenly over the ganache and gently press them into the chocolate. Let cool completely until the chocolate is set, about 4 hours at room temperature or 2 hours in the refridgerator. Remove the outer ring of the tart pan and cut the "cookie tart" into 16 wedges. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• Big Batch Tip: Double all ingredients, following the same directions and timing, and bake in a 9x13" metal pan. Once cooled, cut into about 6 dozen bars.