Christmas Around the World: English Toffee

When I was a first grade teacher in California, a group of us put together a month long social studies unit on Christmas Around the World. It's bit of a misnomer really, because Christmas Around the World was really a unit on celebrations in Europe, North America and some information about Hanukkah. But misnomer, or not, it was a big hit with the first graders, and I learned to associate the customs of other countries with my own holiday celebrations. The two charges are especially anxious to celebrate Christmas throughout the entire month of December. This month, I'll tell you a little bit about the traditions that we associate with the various countries, as well as leave you a recipe or food idea to compliment our studies. This year, it has particular meaning for me, with my European travels so fresh in my mind. First stop on our Christmas celebration is jolly old England. England was the first country to send Christmas Cards, so you have England to thank for your full mailbox this season. (Although, I suspect the catalogue companies have more to do with that.) Many of our Christmas Carols come from England, such as Holly and the Ivy, Deck the Halls, and God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen.

And of course, Charles Dickens, the writer most associated with the Christmas Season, has left us not only The Christmas Carol, but also Chimes and The Cricket on the Hearth. "It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour."- A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

Also, Dickens wrote a new testament for children, carefully guarded during his lifetime and even during the lifetime of his children. The Life of our Lord, which was not published until 1933, tells the story of the birth of Christ in a tender and touching manner, with very simple accessible writing. All of these Dicken' offerings will cost you no more than an hour or two to read, and his writing embodies all of the ideals of the season: peace, kindness, mercy, and charity for all.

And between reading Dickens, writing Christmas cards, and listening to carols, you may get a wee bit hungry. You could always have a cup of tea and a scone, but some homemade English Toffee would also be perfectly in line with the season.

Happy Christmas!
Money Saving Tips: Save the pricey nuts for the top of the toffee where they'll have the added benefit of a beautiful presentation. Don't try to use margarine here-it won't work, but you don't need an expensive butter either. I've used Walmart, Albertsons, and Costco brands with good results.

English Toffee

Notes: My cooking contest friend and toffee champion, Ruth Kendrick, just had her award winning recipe published in the food section of the Deseret News. She recommends cooking the butter and sugar over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. I tried her technique with this batch and it worked perfectly! Thanks, Ruth!

Estimated Cost for an 8 by 8 inch pan: $3.50

1/2 cup butter (4 ounces, or one stick)

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 or 3 ounces semisweet, dark, or milk chocolate

2-4 tablespoons sliced almonds, or other nuts

Lightly coat an 8 by 8 inch pan with cooking spray. Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Add sugar and water and stir constantly until butter is melted and sugar is completely dissolved and no longer grainy (about 10 minutes). If sugar granules stick to the side, wipe them down with a wet pastry brush. When sugar is completely dissolved, turn the heat up to medium and stir constantly until toffee becomes a medium caramel color. (I don't use a candy thermometer, but just go by the look and smell. Ruth recommends waiting till the toffee gives a puff of smoke. I did that yesterday and it worked like a charm.) Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour toffee into prepared pan. Wait 7 minutes. Sprinkle toffee with chocolate and let stand a few minutes. Smooth chocolate with spatula and sprinkle with nuts. Wait until chocolate cools to break into pieces.

Next Up:

Christmas in Holland

Leave your shoes out tonight (Dec. 5) for Sinter Klaas!