CHEWY NUT TOFFEES

Chewy Nut Toffees image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Yield Makes about 75

Number Of Ingredients 10

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2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 cups light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon table salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
1 tablespoon bourbon or pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts, such as pecans or peanuts (optional)
Vegetable-oil cooking spray

Steps:

Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan that is at least 1 1/2 inches deep with cooking spray. Set aside. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the cream and condensed milk; set aside.
In a heavy 3- to 4-quart saucepan, combine corn syrup, water, sugar, and salt. Cook, over high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Using a pastry brush dipped in water, brush away any sugar crystals on sides of pan to prevent recrystallization.
Stop stirring, reduce heat to medium, and bring to a boil. Cook without stirring until the temperature reaches the hard-ball stage on a candy thermometer (260 degrees), about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the cream mixture over low heat until it is just warm. Do not boil. When the sugar mixture reaches 260 degrees, slowly stir in the butter and warmed cream mixture, keeping the mixture boiling at all times. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until the mixture reaches the firm-ball stage (248 degrees), about 15 minutes. Stir in the bourbon or vanilla and the nuts, if desired. Immediately pour into the prepared pan without scraping the pot. Let sit uncovered at room temperature for 24 hours without moving the pan.
To cut, spray a large cutting board generously with vegetable-oil spray. Unmold the toffee from the pan onto sprayed surface. Cut into pieces, and wrap each in cellophane or waxed paper. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.