Citric Acid Free Toffee Bark with Almonds
Crunchy, buttery, and loaded with toasted almonds and a glossy chocolate top, this toffee bark is the kind of treat that disappears fast at any gathering. For anyone avoiding citric acid, candy and chocolate confections can be surprisingly tricky — many store-bought versions sneak in citric acid as a preservative or flavor enhancer in the chocolate coating. Here, the ingredient list stays beautifully clean: butter, sugar, water, salt, raw almonds, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, with nothing unnecessary added. The technique is straightforward — cook the toffee to the hard-crack stage, pour it over a base of chopped almonds, then let the chocolate chips melt right on top before spreading them smooth. A final scatter of flaky sea salt (totally optional) adds a sophisticated finish without introducing any problematic additives. Breaking the finished slab into jagged pieces is genuinely satisfying, and the result is a rich, snappy bark with layers of caramel depth, nutty crunch, and deep chocolate flavor. It's the kind of homemade candy that makes you wonder why you ever bought the packaged stuff.
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Learn more →Ingredients
16 servings
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- 1 ½ cups whole raw almonds, roughly chopped
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ tsp flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Line an 18×13-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set it on a heatproof surface near the stove. Spread half the chopped almonds (about 3/4 cup) in a single, even layer across the parchment.
- 2
Combine the butter, sugar, water, and fine salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, then clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Cook without stirring, swirling the pan occasionally, until the mixture reaches 300°F (149°C) — the hard-crack stage — and turns a deep amber color, about 10–12 minutes. Watch closely once the mixture begins to color, as it can darken quickly.
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