Are you looking for the best Almond Roca candy recipe? This is it! Only 4 ingredients! The rich caramel covered with smooth chocolate and smashed almonds is delicious and contains no corn syrup. Great for gifting! Perfect every time.
Are you looking for the best homemade Almond Roca recipe? This. Is. It! It's taken years to perfect it, and we're so thrilled to share the recipe with you because it's so delicious and always gets excellent reviews. And more than a few requests for more!
You can take it to cookie exchanges to wow other party-goers!
This recipe is perfect atop our Chocolate Trifle.
Other popular homemade holiday treats include Saltine Toffee Candy and Peppermint Bark. We have 50 more Easy Christmas Treat Ideas you might like!
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What is Almond Roca?
If you don't know, Almond Roca is a delectable chocolate-covered, almond butter crunch, hard toffee with a coating of crushed almonds.
If you haven't tried making homemade Almond Roca before, you DEFINITELY should.
This candy is packed with incredible flavor and texture - with its hard caramel crunchy middle coated with creamy milk chocolate and topped with little pieces of smashed almonds, and it's delectable.
Ingredients
What is Almond Roca made of? Well, it only takes four simple ingredients to make a batch. Keep these on hand during the holiday season, and you'll never run out of the Best Almond Roca!
- Salted Butter (the better the quality, the better your end flavor)
- Sugar (granulated white sugar)
- Smashed Almonds (or crushed to your liking)
- Chocolate Morsels (semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips will do)
Is This Candy Gluten-Free?
Yes. Almond Roca Candy is gluten-free. Just make sure to use a brand of chocolate that doesn't contain gluten.
Traditional Almond Roca does not have peanuts.
Tips for How to Make A Good Batch of Almond Roca Candy
- We like to use salted almonds (because of that salty-sweet thing) in this candy, but you can use unsalted if you prefer.
- Other recipes may call for chopped or blanched almonds. We prefer to smash the almonds because you get a good mixture of larger and smaller pieces for the topping.
- We have not used a candy thermometer for years, although it's smart to use one the first several times you make Almond Roca to make sure you get it just right. Cook until the candy reaches 300 - 310 degrees F.
- Some readers use Hershey’s chocolate candy bars for the top. It’s so rich, crunchy, and buttery, they say!
- If you like, you can toast your almonds in a pan before adding them to the recipe.
- To speed up the cooling process, place the pan of finished candy in the refrigerator.
- We love this recipe because it contains no corn syrup, so it tastes rich and natural.
IMPORTANT TIP: Always look for a dark amber color when cooking the sugar and butter mixture. Expect the mixture to smoke a little bit as it becomes deep in color. That's when you know it is done and ready for the smashed almonds.
You may need a Candy Thermometer like this one to make sure it's ready. Again, it's a safe bet to use one at first until you get a feel for making the recipe and when it is done. Cook until it reaches between 300 - 310° F. (150 - 155° C.).
Steps to Make Almond Roca Recipe
Step 1 - Crush Almonds
Smash your almonds by placing them in a plastic bag and smashing them with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin.
Step 2 - Add Butter & Sugar To Pot
Turn the cooktop on high (or medium-high if you have a gas burner or use a large burner). Combine butter and sugar in a large saucepan over high heat.
Step 3 - Melt Butter With Sugar
Stir butter and sugar until they come to a boil. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and watch carefully!
Note: Nothing beats homemade candy, but getting sugary sweets to turn out "just right" is an exact science. Sugar is very fickle. Miss the temperature by even a few degrees, and your best recipe for perfect Almond Roca turns out all wrong.
Continue stirring with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until the temperature reaches 300 - 310 degrees F. (hard crack), then immediately remove from heat.
Note: Always look for a dark amber color when cooking the sugar and butter mixture. Expect the mixture to smoke a little as it becomes deep in color. You know it is done and ready for the smashed almonds.
Step 4 - Add Almonds to Pan
Mix 1 cup smashed or chopped almonds into the saucepan until thoroughly combined.
Step 5 - Spread & Cool
Pour into an un-greased cookie sheet (or jelly roll pan) and spread out. Do not scrap the sides of the pan to get the excess out. Let pan of toffee cool for 5 minutes.
Step 6 - Add Chocolate
Sprinkle ½ cup of chocolate chips over the top of the candy.
Let this recipe for almond Roca rest until chocolate chips melt enough to spread over the top of the candy.
Step 7 - Top With More Almonds!
Dust the pan with ⅛ cup of smashed almonds.
Once the chocolate is cooled (about 2 hours) and hardened, break it apart with a knife's tip to the desired size.
You can speed up the hardening process by placing the candy in the refrigerator.
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More Great Candy & Treat Recipes
Adorable Candy Pretzel Turkey Bites
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Expert Tips
- Ensure you keep a steady temperature on your burner and continually stir the butter and sugar as they cook so they don't separate.
- If there is separation while cooking, keep stirring, and the fat should get reincorporated.
- Take care as you stir, and do not scrape the sides of the pan. You don’t want to clean the sides of the pan. However, you do want to stir and scrape the bottom of the pot gently to avoid scorching. You don't want the crystalized sugar to get into your toffee.
- Also, as you pour the toffee onto the prepared baking pan, do not scrape the saucepan's sides and bottom to get every last bit of Roca. Just pour it out into the pan and leave the crystallized sugars behind in the pot.
How Long Does Almond Roca Keep?
Almond Roca candy will keep in a sealed container at room temperature for a couple of weeks. But, since it's beloved by all, it might not last long!
Recipe FAQs
Try keeping a steady temperature on your burner, and continuing to stir the butter and sugar as they cook is key to preventing the caramel from separating. Also, use a heavy-bottomed pan that distributes heat evenly.
Almond Roca and English Toffee are pretty much the same things. While English toffee describes a hardened caramel topped with chopped nuts and chocolate, Almond Roca refers to a brand name for the same delicious treat.
Almond Roca As Gifts
This recipe makes the best homemade gifts!
Just place your homemade candy in a jar that seals, a holiday tin, or cellophane and top with a ribbon or bow. These make fantastic gifts for Almond Roca Candy lovers or anyone on your list!
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New images and recipe tips were added on 9/29/19.
Printable Recipe
Homemade Almond Roca Recipe
Equipment
- pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound salted butter (4 sticks)
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 cup smashed almonds + ⅛ cup for topping (salted or unsalted)
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate)
Instructions
- Smash almonds by placing them in a plastic bag and smashing them with a mallet or rolling pin. Or chop them with a sharp knife.
- Turn cooktop to high (or medium-high if your burner runs hot). Combine butter and sugar in a large saucepan over high heat.
- Stir butter and sugar until they come to a boil. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and watch closely.
- Continue stirring until the temperature reaches 300- 310 degrees (150 - 155° C.), then immediately remove from heat.
- Mix 1 cup smashed almonds into saucepan until thoroughly combined.
- Pour into an ungreased cookie sheet. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle ½ cup chocolate chips over the top. Let rest until chocolate chips are melted enough to spread over the top of the almond Roca.
- Dust with ⅛ cup smashed/chopped almonds.
- Once the chocolate has cooled and hardened, break apart with a tip of a knife to the desired size.
- This recipe makes about 2 lbs of candy and is perfect for gifts!
Video
Notes
- NUTS: We like to use salted almonds (because of that salty-sweet thing), but you can use unsalted if you prefer. We prefer to smash the almonds because you get a good mixture of larger and smaller pieces for the topping. Pecans are also good. Other recipes may call for chopped or blanched almonds, which are fine to use.
- CANDY THERMOMETER: We have not used a candy thermometer for years, although it's smart to use one the first several times you make Almond Roca to make sure you get it just right.
- COOLING: To speed up the cooling process, place the pan of finished candy in the refrigerator.
- TASTE: We love this recipe because it doesn't contain any corn syrup, so it tastes rich and natural.
- COOKING TIP: Always look for a dark amber color when cooking the sugar and butter mixture. Expect the mixture to smoke a little bit as it becomes deep in color. That's when you know it is done and ready for the smashed almonds.
Esther says
Can these be put in the freezer to eat at a later date?
Erin Henry says
Absolute, Ester! We put them in the freezer to eat later all the time!
Cristi says
About how long I lost the thermometer!! ;(
Erin Henry says
Cooking times vary Cristi, but if you look for the dark amber color and it will start to smoke slightly, it's done.
Katie says
Need to make these as last minute gifts! They look incredible!
Jennifer says
Fantastic! SO tasty and such an easy recipe to follow! I loved it!
Erin Henry says
Our most popular recipe this time of year! Glad you loved it!
Kimberly says
This is my all-time favorite candy and I'm totally giddy with excitement that I'm now able to make my own!
Erin Henry says
We couldn't agree more, Kimberly! An all-time favorite and we're so glad it's Almond Roca season!
Matt - Total Feasts says
These look delicious, I've already pinned it ready to make for the holidays!
Erin Henry says
Yep, totally delicious! The perfect holiday recipe, Matt!
Vk says
Hi
Do you use roasted Almonds?
Erin Henry says
Hi - you can use roasted almonds for an added touch, but we just use regular almonds.
Jean says
Hi there; just made your toffee and I think I overcooked it . I had a thermometer in there but when it reached 300, it moved a little, causing the needle to go under the 300 mark. I straightened it back up and it immediately got to 300 again . It’s really dark almost like chocolate dark and the bottom of the pot is burned. Is this normal or did I over cook it? Thank you.
Erin says
Hi Jean,
Bummer! It does sound like you overcooked it. The sweet spot of the caramel is to get it just to the smoke point, and take it off the heat so it doesn't burn. You are looking for it to become a dark amber color - that's how you know it's done. If the pan is burned, the toffee is likely burned, too.
Maureen says
Heavenly! This recipe was SO easy to make! I used Hershey’s chocolate candy bars for the top. It’s so rich and crunchy and buttery! Thank you so much for this recipe! It was hard giving them away as Christmas gifts!
Erin says
I know what you mean, Maureen! It's always hard to give this stuff away...you want to keep it all for yourself!
Cheri says
What size cookie sheet do you use? Do you use a non stick cookie sheet?
Erin says
Hi Cheri - We use just a standard size cookie sheet and it is non-stick.
Manon says
By far the best and easiest recipe for almond roca! I can’t make it fast enough - disappears right away
Erin says
You are so right, Manon!! This stuff disappears so fast you can never have enough!
J.R. Lacaze says
Absolutely wonderful
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe
Erin says
We think this is the best recipe out there 🙂 We just made a batch last night! Thanks for visiting!
Ayesha says
Hi
How long can these be stored?
Planning on making them soon
They look yummm
Erin says
Good question, Ayesha. I would say a couple weeks, but we have made them and eaten them throughout the holiday season and it's still good. We just love this recipe!
Jolene says
OMG!! THIS LOOKS AMAZING!! DOES IT MATTER WHAT KIND OF SEMI-CHOCOLATE CHIPS I USE?? I HEARD SOMEONE SAY ONE TIME THAT THE KEY TO PERFECT ALMOND ROCCA IS THE CHOCOLATE YOU USE. THANKS:)
Erin says
Good question, Jolene. We use Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chips and it turns out wonderfully. If you experiment with another brand, let me know how it turns out.
Courtney says
My dad has been bugging me to make him almond Roca for months!! Being that I've never made it before I was really nervous. But my dad is so very special to me I decided to give it a wack! This recipe is the best so easy to make!!! I'm so excited to surprise him with this stuff! Thank you for sharing this recipe with the world!!!
Erin says
That made my day, Courtney! Thanks for your comment. What a great daughter for trying something new and making a recipe your dad loves. So glad it turned out well. We LOVE this recipe...almost too much 🙂