The Trivium and the Trivial: A Classical Education and Beyond: 12 Sweets of Christmas: #4

Quite a few years ago, and I really can't remember when, I came up with the crazy idea of not just making one or two different kinds of cookies or candies to give away during the Christmas season, but to make 12 different varieties, now known as the "12 Sweets of Christmas". Once Thanksgiving had ended and the tree had been put up I begin the monumental task of mixing, baking, dipping and wrapping up the 12 goodies into tins to give as gifts to family and friends. Sometimes I wonder what I have gotten myself into, but everyone seems to love my tins packed full of goodies and I think I would have a revolt on my hands if I failed to follow through on my yearly tradition.

This year I figured I would share all my recipes and photos of each of the sweets and here is #4.

#4 Toffee

I love this recipe. With only 3 ingredients, it is so simple to make and takes only about 10 minutes from start to finish. Plus it is extremely addicting and you can't stop with just one piece. Candy making can't get any better than that!

Toffee Bars

2 Sticks Salted Butter (it must be salted)

1 C Sugar

-melt and stir until the temp reaches 275 degrees or until it reaches a light brown color

-pour onto greased pan

-wait 2 minutes

-sprinkle with 6 oz. chocolate chips

-let melt and spread

-cool and break into pieces

First, grease a cookie sheet. I use the leftover butter from the

butter wrapper or spray the pan with oil.

In a heavy duty pot add the 2 sticks of salted butter and the 1 cup of sugar.

Don't forget the candy thermometer and a high-heat rubber scraper.

Cook at medium to medium-high heat, stirring now and then.

The mixture will begin to bubble and will start to thicken.

Once it has reached this stage, stir continuously so it does not burn.

The recipe calls for the temp to reach 300 degrees Fahrenheit, but I take it off the burner at 275. As you can see it will become a slightly golden color when it is done.