Making toffee as gifts

[Jennifer Hill]

I have recently started making toffee and I LOVE it! However, I have noticed that the chocolate stays soft at room temp, and I wanted to package it to use as gifts at the holidays. Can anyone suggest how I can make the chocolate solidify so I don't have this problem? I have been just using Nestle chocolate chips that I put on top of the hot toffee after pouring on a sheet pan. I let it sit for a couple of minutes and then spread it out with my offset spatula, and then I chill in the fridge for a couple of hours before breaking up. 

[Lisa Shock]

You need to temper the chocolate.

[Jennifer Hill]

Thank you! So after I temper the chocolate, and chill the toffee and break it up to package it, it should be okay at room temp and the chocolate won't start to melt and create a huge mess? How long do you think the toffee will keep?

[minas6907]

The toffee (when its stored in an air tight container) will keep for longer then you might imagine.

[Jennifer Hill]

I was thinking a sealed plastic bag and then in a decorative box for the holidays. I just wasn't sure how early I could make the toffee and if I should give the recipient a time frame in which it should be eaten. 

[Kerry Beal]

Thank you! So after I temper the chocolate, and chill the toffee and break it up to package it, it should be okay at room temp and the chocolate won't start to melt and create a huge mess? How long do you think the toffee will keep?

Another thing to do some research about on eG is getting the tempered chocolate to remain stuck to the toffee.  It is often a problem and I know we've discussed it before.  

Edited September 7, 2014 by Kerry Beal (log)

[Smithy]

Another thing to do some research about on eG is getting the tempered chocolate to remain stuck to the toffee. It is often a problem and I know we've discussed it before.

Here's a link to one such discussion: http://forums.egullet.org/topic/79068-english-toffee/

Edit: here is an excellent lesson, with pictures, on making toffee that may be useful; it includes a strategy for keeping the layers together. http://forums.egullet.org/topic/92495-confectionery-101/?p=1292069 This is only one lesson out of a fine eGCI course titled "Confectionery 101".

[Lisa Shock]

Thank you! So after I temper the chocolate, and chill the toffee and break it up to package it, it should be okay at room temp and the chocolate won't start to melt and create a huge mess? How long do you think the toffee will keep?

 

Depends on what you call room temperature. Chocolate should be stored below 80°F, if it gets much warmer (temperatures vary by type) it will lose the temper and melt.

[Jennifer Hill]

Thank you for the help! I'm not sure what constitutes "room temp" for most people, as I am wanting to give this as gifts. I know I try to keep my house under 80°F at all times, so I would assume most other people would too? 

[Lisa Shock]

Thank you for the help! I'm not sure what constitutes "room temp" for most people, as I am wanting to give this as gifts. I know I try to keep my house under 80°F at all times, so I would assume most other people would too? 

 

Not here in Phoenix, at least not if you're in an income bracket where you work for a living. AC burns through a lot of money, and when we get 110°- 120°+ weather for a couple of months a year, many of us let the house get pretty warm, especially when we aren't at home (at work, out shopping, etc.)

[pastrygirl]

Thank you for the help! I'm not sure what constitutes "room temp" for most people, as I am wanting to give this as gifts. I know I try to keep my house under 80°F at all times, so I would assume most other people would too? 

 

Unless you're shipping to warm climates or live south of 40 degrees N, you're probably OK, especially if you have an unheated pantry or spare room.  Assuming these are winter holiday gifts, that is. 

 

I keep all my chocolate in my extra bedroom and never turn the heat on.  It did get a bit warm when we had weather in the 90's this summer, but the chocolate has not been noticeably affected.  In the winter that room is quite a bit colder than the heated living areas.

Edited September 9, 2014 by pastrygirl (log)

[Jennifer Hill]

I'm in north Texas, and planning to give the gifts around Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I think the temperature thing should be okay for my limited needs. I really appreciate all the help I've gotten from you guys!