Maple Nut Toffee

Before you start:

You CAN make candy.  Read the instructions all the way through.  Have your ingredients prepared ahead of time and work methodically.  Have faith.

I say this every time, but feel I must say it again.  Hot sugar can be dangerous.  Take extra care when making candy and keep small kids and pets away from the work area.

This is not a time for multi-tasking.  This job requires your full attention.  Constant stirring is required as is watching the thermometer.  There is a very fine line between brilliant and burnt.

The ingredients:

• 2 cups butter (4 sticks)
• 1 1/3 cup sugar / 250g
• 2/3 cup maple syrup
• 3 oz. water
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 cups chopped pecans / 285g
• 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
• Cooking oil spray

The method:

1. Spray four sheets of parchment with cooking oil spray and set them aside.
2. On a clean, flat surface lay out four more sheets of parchment overlapping the long edges by about an inch.  Spray the sheets with cooking oil spray.
3. Place butter, sugar, syrups, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
4. Have vanilla and salt prepared in a small bowl near the stove.
5. Cook the mixture over medium high heat to 298° F on a candy thermometer (about 10 min).  Stir constantly.
6. Immediately remove from the heat and quickly stir in vanilla and salt.
7. Pour onto the four pieces of parchment.
8. Sprinkle the pecans over the entire area of the candy.
9. Place the other parchment, oiled side down, on top of the candy.  Use a rolling pin to roll out to about ¼ inch.
10. Melt chocolate chips either in the microwave or double boiler style.
11. Pour melted chocolate over candy and spread to cover surface.
12. Allow candy to cool completely and then break into pieces.