Paleo
Gluten FreeThis maple candy (toffee) is made with just 5 simple ingredients, plus your favorite topping. A paleo and gluten free candy recipe made with real butter, maple syrup, and dark chocolate. Delicious sweet treat to get you through the holidays. Actually, it’s just good ANYTIME! Makes great holiday food gifts, too.
Hold the phone…. I’m posting a 5 Ingredient paleo maple candy recipe less than a week after tropical banana soft serve. Well, geeze. Just shows how off I am this week.
Holidays that are between seasons throw me off. Do I eat pumpkin? Even thought it’s 90F? Or do I keep drinking mojito smoothies until we reach September 23rd and a crisp cool 85F? LOL! First world problems.
In all honesty, I think this is the best time to ENJOY both. End of summer fruit and SO close to Fall spices/flavors. You get variety and comfort at the same time.
Which leads me to this maple candy recipe. Uh… can I just call this crack toffee? Yes, let’s go with it.
It’s addicting in the best way possible. Paleo and gluten free candy it is, sure, but I won’t lie, it’s no superfood. Just super delicious. Actually, come to think of it, maple and butter and superfoods. I’ll explain my reasoning in a minute.
But first. A STORY! True story, once upon a time there was a young blog girl who grew up with 3 brothers. They often dared her to do stuff. Like eat WHOLE sticks of butter in one sitting. Ahem… that girl was me. The only problem was that after I accepted the dare and ate the stick of butter, I realized that I REALLY liked butter. In fact, I continued to eat slabs of butter with cinnamon sugar or maple syrup on top. Obviously this was without my mom knowing. In fact, I don’t think she know now. Haha, whoops. Maybe I’m really Paula Dean’s long lost daughter? I kid. Honestly, I never had any health issues growing up. I was quite active and healthy. I guess you could say my life life motto back then was “fueled by butter!” Haha.
Point being friends, REAL butter is magical (if well tolerated). And if fact, it can be a healthy addition to the diet. Just don’t eat the whole stick in one sitting like I did. Instead focus on using it recipes or a little bit here or there for individual servings.. Also, Dairy Free Ghee, Grass-fed, or even the new coconut oil based vegan butters work wonders as well! Oh the natural healthy fats make me swoon!
Nerdy Nutrition Facts about Butter –>
Yes I am going there. BUT… only so I can justify the 5 ingredient paleo maple toffee addiction. Cool?
- Butter contains healthy fat soluble vitamins. Vitamin k2 in particular. Remember my love for Vitamin K in the Brussel Sprouts recipe? Yes, it’s so needed. But Vitamin K2 does wonders for calcium metabolism.
- Butter contains a two pretty AMAZING fatty acids. One is called butyrate and the other Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). Both contain anti-inflammatory properties (source), but what I love about butryate (I may be bias) is that is can help with your digestive system by regulating proper cell growth or “balance” of good/bad cells in the lining of the gut.
Don’t worry, I won’t get any more nerdy on you. Just had to hare those two tidbits. Like I said, maybe those healthy facts justify my reasoning for sticks of butter as a young child. I’m one big BUTTER LOVING machine now!
Okay, now let’s discuss how 5 ingredient maple candy can fit in here. Um…. can you tell by the picture below?
Ingredients in Paleo Maple Candy (Toffee)
ALL THE BUTTAH!
Today’s paleo and gluten free maple candy is my ode to butter. With a little bit of dark chocolate and coconut sugar mixed in. You diggin it?
All you need are 5 ingredients and a lot of LOVE for healthy snacks and desserts to make the recipe for maple candy.
Although… I won’t lie. IF.. and only IF you want a topping, then this will make it a 6 ingredient toffee. 5 or 6, meh. Same thing right? Does water count as an ingredient? Ugh, you get my point. Still, butter is INVOLVED. YEA!
Personally, I liked adding a little coconut sugar and crushed almond on top. For Crunch factor. Hello, my blog is Cotter Crunch. You can quote me on that. Obviously, you don’t have to add any topping. I will leave that up to you.
So what does it take to make this toffee? Mmmm… just 15 minutes and then bam, in the fridge it goes.
What temperature do you cook maple candy?
One tip –> to perfect the chewy toffee texture, I highly recommend using a candy thermometer or a thermometer that reaches 330- 350F. You’ll be cooking the maple candy at 285 until it turns dark amber in color. When it cools and hardens, it becomes toffee!
Let’s get to it. You’re gonna love this maple candy toffee! Super easy and great for holidays!
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Easy Maple Candy Toffee (Paleo + Gluten Free)
- Prep Time: 2 hr
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: -26011463.383333 minute
- Yield: 16 pieces 1x
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Pin RecipeDescription
Maple candy toffee made with 5 ingredients plus your favorite topping! With real butter, maple syrup, and dark chocolate This gluten free candy is so easy to make, and it makes a great holiday food gift.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (8oz) softened – ( We use KerryGold. Ghee for lactose free option)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar (see notes for alternative)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (Enjoy life Vegan/GF brand)
- Optional toppings or add-ins if desired – crushed nuts, cinnamon, vanilla, etc.
TOOLS
- Baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Small sauce pan
Instructions
- First make sure your butter is softened somewhat. This speeds up the process.
- In a medium pot, combine your butter, sugar, maple syrup, and water.
- Mix on stove top on medium heat until sugar is dissolved into butter.
- Increase heat to medium high until you reach a boil. Don’t boil too high or too long otherwise your sugar will burn.
- Reduce to medium or at 285F, somewhat of a soft boil.
- Continue to cook, whisking constantly, about 10-15 minutes. Be careful to watch the pot so the butter doesn’t overflow. If it starts too, just lift pot with pot holder for a second then place back down.
- The liquid boil will be nice dark amber color once done.
- Carefully pour the hot mixture onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread it around evenly.
- Pour your dark chocolate chips on top.
- The chocolate will start to melt with mixture. Spread the melted dark chocolate around evenly with spatula.
- Add any other topping you’d like. Crushed nuts, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, etc. Spread it around the pan as well.
- Place in fridge for 2 hrs.
- Once hardened, remove from fridge and cut into pieces.
- I like to add a little coconut sugar on top to make it more “sticky.” This is optional.
- Store in air tight container or ziplock bag.
- I keep mine in fridge to last longer but room temperature is fine as well.
Notes
If you don’t have a thermometer, just be sure to continue whisking at soft boil for at least 10-12 minutes.
This is a good basic toffee recipe. You can add in vanilla extract, spices, nuts, cranberries, etc!
Be careful when cooking; you don’t want butter/sugar mixture to boil over. It’s very HOT when you pour onto baking sheet, so do so gently.
Substitutes
You can use brown sugar or raw sugar in place of coconut sugar, but it will not be paleo.
Nutritional Info
- Nutrition as shown is for one piece, with nuts on top
- Category: dessert
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 161
- Sugar: 13.9g
- Sodium: 6.9mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7.5g
- Carbohydrates: 14.7g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 28.7mg
Keywords: gluten free candy, maple toffee, paleo dessert
Handy Kitchen Tools for Making Maple Toffee
If you want STICKY toffee, just drizzle with a little extra maple syrup or coconut sugar. Oh so bad yet so good, right?
Confess.. did you love butter as much as I did growing up? Are you ready for so all the holiday shenanigans and treats?
If you are, make it PALEO MAPLE CANDY TOFFEE!
Cheers,
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Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
September 7, 2016 at 6:19 AMThe struggle is definitely real! I made pumpkin muffins in 100 degrees the other day and had zero desire to eat them. Going in the freezer for a rainy day! Guess I need to get creative like you!
Cotter Crunch says
September 7, 2016 at 7:05 AMOMG really?? Brave girl! stay cool
Richa says
September 7, 2016 at 7:04 AMI can’t believe that ingredient list is only all of five ingredients! These sound amazing and would be so perfect for the holidays!
Cotter Crunch says
September 20, 2016 at 3:29 PMright? SO GOOD TOO!
michele @ paleorunningmomma says
September 7, 2016 at 9:11 AMReady for the holidays! And this toffee – WOW! I need it, and I will definitely make it!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
September 7, 2016 at 10:18 AMTrue story – this is my favorite Christmas dessert. My friend Ben used to come by every Christmas Eve with a giant bag of the most delicious toffee ever (besides yours, that is) and we’d chow down on that for the 22.5 hours it lasted. I’m ready for some holiday treats! But for now… yeah, I’m making watermelon-vodka slushies in the blender.
Julia Mueller says
September 7, 2016 at 10:44 AMSrsly, I ate sticks of butter when I was a kid, too! But I did it our of my own volition, not out of a dare #fattyintraining. This toffee is straight up my alley…I love the butter element to it, and am 200% game for a little coconut sugar sprinkle on top. Thinking I need to make batch upon batch of this toffee for my family over the holidays.. 😉
Blair says
September 7, 2016 at 1:18 PMTotal first world problems! I’ve actually been eating Pumpkin Spice Smoothies for breakfast this week — the perfect cross between summer and fall! I want the autumn flavors, but it’s still 100 degrees here! 🙂
Cotter Crunch says
September 7, 2016 at 5:48 PMI need your smoothie next! Let’s escape to either the beach or mountains. K?
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
September 7, 2016 at 4:47 PMOh my goodness this toffee looks unreal!! Sign me up for a whole batch please! (Also that butter story— OMGee LOL!!)
Cotter Crunch says
September 7, 2016 at 5:46 PMhehe, thanks friend. I heart butter. My brothers laugh now.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
September 7, 2016 at 5:57 PMThat looks delicious! And I love treats that don’t require a lot of ingredients!
Cotter Crunch says
September 7, 2016 at 9:59 PMme too! thank goodness. So much work is not necessary! haha
Kristy from Southern In Law says
September 7, 2016 at 8:46 PMUmmmmmmmm. I’m pretty sure this is amazing.
I need a huge big batch of this for myself and I need to package up plenty of other batches for all the people who I love as this would make an awesome gift too! You are amazing, girl!
jill conyers says
September 8, 2016 at 3:45 AMI definitely thought toffee would be more complicated to make. Happy to find out that it’s not.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
September 8, 2016 at 4:58 AMRemember butter sandwiches? And yes, real butter is indeed amazing! Too bad it makes my stomach go WTF? But at least I can have a little bit!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
September 8, 2016 at 10:17 AMLindsay, my mom used to make “milk toffee” all the time when I was younger – looking back, it’s been ages since I had some and your paleo toffee sounds downright drool-worthy! Gorgeous photos too, my friend! And now I know that butter ha anti-inflammatory properties!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
September 8, 2016 at 10:21 AMLolo! Your butter-eating story actually reminds me of something I used to do when I was younger… Mom wouldn’t let me eat raw cookie dough, but I snuck a taste before she added the egg one time and fell in love. It was basically just butter and sugar, and I remember making it after that and just snacking on it that way 😆
Cotter Crunch says
September 8, 2016 at 10:48 AMOmg I would have done same!! Cookie dough love!!
Abby @BackatSquareZero says
September 8, 2016 at 12:02 PMYou should toss this is a Cotter Christmas post.
So goofs like me can rind it again and make it!
Cotter Crunch says
September 8, 2016 at 12:59 PMHah I will! P.s this toffee is going to be part of a healthy bite recipe.. oh stayed tuned!
pps how are you feeling?
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
September 8, 2016 at 2:45 PMThis toffee is amazing. Looks like a healthy version of one my Mom use to make. Can’t wait to make it. Julia Child loved butter!
Jody - Fit at 58 says
September 8, 2016 at 6:02 PMI did eat butter as a kid & OMG, cinnamon toast meaning bread toasted, lost of butter & cinnamon sugar on top. I was a fat kid! 🙂
I am not a butter fam now – just not my thing but I would eat your toffee!!!!!!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Cotter Crunch says
September 8, 2016 at 9:05 PMman I wish that was healthy. haha i miss it.
Cassie says
September 8, 2016 at 8:37 PMWanna know another funny story? That same butter-loving girl would be me too! I wouldn’t quite eat a whole stick but that was only because I always got caught by the superfitmom and get warned about the acne butter causes! LOL!
Cotter Crunch says
September 9, 2016 at 7:45 AMOMG i love this story! Buttah Twin!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
September 9, 2016 at 9:13 AMI love butter too. Sometimes I think my crazy bread eating ways is just an excuse to put some butter on it. Back in the day, I used to eat the butter off the bread and then ask for more. 🙂
This ode to butter (and toffee of course) made my day. Blows kiss.
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
September 10, 2016 at 10:42 PMSo delicious! Reminds me of the saltine cracker toffee my grandma made during the holidays when I was a kid! This I am sure would be much, much better!
Gst consultants delhi says
September 13, 2016 at 10:45 AMGreat post. All readers will definitely like this post. Looking forward for your next post.
App developers India says
September 19, 2016 at 1:25 PMAmazing blog and very interesting stuff you got here!
UX Designers India says
September 23, 2016 at 8:35 AMI certainly agree to some points that you have discussed on this post. I appreciate that you have shared some reliable tips on this review.
Gst Experts Delhi says
September 26, 2016 at 6:46 AMVery interesting blog. A lot of blogs I see these days don’t really provide anything that much interesting, but I’m most definitely interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know.
Nicole says
December 23, 2017 at 7:20 PMI was really excited to make this today for holiday gifts. A triple batch even! The candy thermometer I bought seemed to be defective because I could not get it past 250 even though the mixture was clearly at a fast boil, and then a slow boil. So I did the best I could based on observing the mixture rather than the temp. Unfortunately the finished toffee will not harden. Even after many hours refrigeration, it’s still just gooey. Wondering if you have had any experience with that happening, and ideas about what might have gone wrong. Perhaps I poured it too thick? Or perhaps it just never got hot enough. Maybe tripling the recipe had something to do with it? I can’t stand to let all these premium ingredients go to waste so I plan to make balls of the toffee and dip them in dark chocolate. It just won’t be nearly as pretty. Thanks for the recipe and any suggestions you might have!
Cotter Crunch says
December 23, 2017 at 8:15 PMHi Nicole! So sorry to hear about this. Bummer! I think doubling might have to do with the texture. That’s tricky. I usually try to get my thermometer up to 240F if not 250F. 220 is soft candy. It could have been too much butter too.
I have an idea though!! Did you see my toffee bites recipe? You could make that for sure. Here it is. https://www.cottercrunch.com/maple-chocolate-chip-toffee-bites/
Cotter Crunch says
December 23, 2017 at 8:18 PMoops I meant 240F for caramel sauce, not toffee. SO that’s why it probably didn’t set. Feel free to email me if you need help!
Eva S says
June 18, 2018 at 1:27 PMI made this recipe over the weekend for a neighbor that loves toffee. It was crazy how much it tastes like the real deal!
The only thing different is the fact that it is not crunchy, but honestly your teeth will thank you for that. The recipe was easy as long as you follow it and stir vigorously for 10-15 minutes. No slacking off here! The payoff is well worth it.
Thanks for such a great recipe, I’m saving this one for the holidays!
Lindsay Cotter says
June 18, 2018 at 4:07 PMOh yay! So glad. I adore it too. haha kinda like toffee, taffy, and everything between.
Jody says
June 26, 2018 at 2:17 PMGhee is not dairy free. There are still milk proteins left in it that some people react to or have issue with. Usually lactose intolerant people do fine with it but those with a dairy allergy do not.
Lindsay Cotter says
June 26, 2018 at 10:46 PMVery true! Thanks for catching that. I will correct.
n says
May 27, 2019 at 7:20 PMI was wondering if you can use coconut oil instead of butter for the paleo toffee?
Thank you!
Lindsay Cotter says
May 28, 2019 at 11:44 AMHey there! I have tried it with coconut oil once before, naturally refined. It does work but you might have to play with the ratio a bit. The texture won’t be as chewy. Have you tried palm shortening? That works well! Or vegan butter.