One of my favorite sweets is English toffee! Hard or soft, this candy (made of butter and caramelized sugar) is a treat many people find irresistible, hence the surging demand around the holidays when people are gathering and looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. Toffee also makes a great gift and is ideal for late-night snacking! 

Traditional English toffee doesn't typically come with nuts, though the American version is often topped with crushed almonds. 

The fun thing about toffee for the holidays? You can pretty much add whatever toppings you want. In this case, I add some pretzels for extra crunch and saltiness and make up for the saltine crackers many people use for the bottom layer. The coconut adds another dimension of sweetness, but much more subtle than the sugar, of course! Although almonds tend to be the most popular nuts, as I mentioned, I'm a huge fan of toasted pecans and walnuts all the same.  

What's the most important part about making toffee? If you want that perfect crunch, not chewy, but a light, brittle crunch that still melts in your mouth (too solid, and your teeth might shatter!), you'll need to heat the butter and sugar mix to 285-300F before pouring it onto a solid, nonstick surface before chilling.