homemade almond roca piled up on a white plate
All Things Chocolate

Homemade Almond Roca

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One of my fondest memories of eating treats growing up is when my mom would make Almond Roca around Christmas and the holidays. I am not sure why she didn’t make it year-round, but I always looked forward to it. Homemade Almond Roca is so delicious!

What is Almond Roca? Almond Roca is a brand of candy that is basically chocolate-covered toffee with almonds sprinkled on top and almonds are usually in the toffee as well. How can you go wrong with chocolate, almonds, and toffee? You can’t! The combination is amazing and perfect for any sweet tooth. If you love chocolate and love toffee give this homemade candy a try, you won’t be disappointed. Homemade Almond Roca is easy to make, if I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Gather the ingredients and tools

In order to make homemade Almond Roca you need just a few ingredients and tools:

  • Butter – I generally use unsalted butter but you can use butter with salt in it if you like. Butter an essential ingredient. The butter prevents the sugar from crystalizing allowing for a smooth and breakable texture. And it adds immense flavor.
  • Water – I generally use good filtered water, since my tap water tastes gross.
  • Corn syrup – Corn syrup is commonly used in toffee making because it helps prevent the sugar from forming crystals and produces a smooth texture similar to butter.
  • White Granulated Sugar – Sugar is the main sweet element in this candy. You can’t really make toffee without the sugar.
  • Almonds – You can’t have Homemade Almond Roca without the almonds. Although you could substitute for other nuts if you like. Then you can call it Peanut Roca, or Cashew Roca, haha.
  • Chocolate – I generally use milk chocolate chips, but, you can use dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate if you like. Either the bars or the chips.

Tools

  • Sheet pan (11×17 works great)
  • Spatula
  • Large pot
  • Oven mitts
  • Butter knife to break up the Almond Roca
  • Butter or shortening to grease the pan, I generally use butter
  • Candy thermometer

Step 2: How to Make Homemade Almond Roca

Begin by placing a large pot on the stovetop. Set the burner to medium heat. Then add in the butter. Stir occasionally with a silicone spoon or wooden spoon so the butter doesn’t burn. Once the butter has melted add the water, corn syrup, and white granulated sugar. This will complete the ingredients for the toffee base. Stir occasionally so the candy doesn’t burn. As I mentioned earlier Almond Roca is basically a toffee covered with chocolate.

Step 3: Heat it to the right temp to form the Almond Roca or Toffee base

Keep stirring the mixture and heating it until it reaches just below the hard crack point, 290 F/143 C. You really need a candy thermometer for this. Getting the right temperature is essential when making toffee. The color will turn to beige color. Make sure to stir constantly after the temperature reaches 200 F. The whole process will take several minutes. Plan on standing next to the oven for 25 to 35 minutes. Once you reach the right temperature you can turn off the heat and stir in the slivered almonds.

Step 4: Add the Toffee/Almond Roca to a pan

pouring homemade almond roca onto a buttered sheet pan

Pour out the toffee onto a sheet pan with sides that have been greased with butter or shortening. An 11×17-inch pan will give you a good thickness for the candy. The pot and pan will get really hot so make sure to use oven mitts when handling either.

Step 5: Adding that yummy chocolate

adding chocolate chips and spreading them out on top of the almond roca

Now for my favorite part. While the homemade Almond Roca is still hot, sprinkle on the chocolate chips or crushed-up chocolate bar. Then, let the chocolate sit for 5 minutes. The heat from the hot toffee will melt the chocolate. After that, you can use a spatula to spread out the chocolate on the top. Next just sprinkle on the crushed or chopped-up almonds. You can push them down a bit into the chocolate if you like with the spatula. Allow the Almond Roca to cool for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature. Then place it in the fridge to set it completely. This will take 45 minutes to 90 minutes.

Step 6: I love you, but it is time for us to break up.

Once the candy has been set, remove it from the fridge. Grab a butter knife and slide it on the edge of the Almond Roca. Lift up the edge and you will be able to break up the candy. Break it up into whatever sizes you like. Now all you need to do is bite into one. These make great gifts or you can just enjoy them all yourself.

What is the difference between Toffee and Almond Roca?

There isn’t a huge difference. Almond Roca is a type of Toffee first created by a company called Brown & Haley. It is toffee with almonds in it as well as covered in chocolate and topped with almonds.

Why did my toffee separate?

Sometimes when making toffee the butter can separate from the sugar. This is often caused by a quick temperature change. Heating up the mixture gradually is key. Is your stovetop heat set too high? Medium heat is ideal. Another cause is stirring to quickly, stir constantly but gently if that makes sense. Make sure to use a candy thermometer.

How long will the homemade Almond Roca last?

Not very long! You will gobble it up I am sure. But if you store it in an airtight container it will last 4 to 6 weeks. I generally store mine in the fridge but it can be kept at room temp as well.

homemade almond roca piled up on a white plate
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5 from 9 votes

Homemade Almond Roca

Almond Roca is an amazing candy. Toffee with almonds in it covered with chocolate and almonds on top. It is a party in the mouth with every bite. Almond Roca makes a great gift, something other than homemade cookies.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Cooling Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Candy, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: brittle, chocolate, sugar, toffee
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Matt Taylor

Equipment

  • sheet pan (11×17 works great) (greased, I use butter)
  • Spatula
  • Large Pot
  • oven mitts
  • Butter knife
  • Candy Thermometer

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of butter 4 sticks (450g)
  • 1/3 cup of water 80mL
  • 2 Tbsp. of light corn syrup 40g
  • 2 cups of white granulated sugar 450g
  • 1 cup of almonds I use 1/2 cup slivered and 1/2 cup roasted
  • 11.5 ounces of milk chocolate chips or dark, semi-sweet (330g)

Instructions

  • Begin by adding the butter to a large pot. Melt the butter at medium heat. Stir occasionally so the butter doesn't burn.
  • Once the butter is melted add the water, corn syrup, and white granulated sugar. Stir to mix those ingredients together. This is will be the toffee base.
  • Heat the ingredients to 290 F/143 C. This is just slightly below the hard crack point. The mixture will turn from a pale yellow color to a nice beige color. Stir gently but constantly after the 200 F mark, again we don't want the base to burn. Use a candy thermometer.
  • After reaching the temp, turn the burner off and add in the slivered almonds.
  • Pour the toffee onto a buttered sheet pan and allow it to spread out level. I generally use an 11×17 inch pan for this. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top and let it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Spread out the chocolate with a spatula thinly so it covers the top of the Almond Roca/toffee. Then sprinkle on the chopped roasted almonds.
  • Let it cool at room temp for about 20 minutes before placing it in the fridge to set completely, usually another 45 to 90 minutes. After it has set you can use a butter knife to break it apart. Enjoy! 🙂

Video

How to Make Almond Roca | Homemade Almond Roca Recipe

Notes

These nutritional facts are based on 20 servings which are fairly good sized pieces. 
Almond Roca Nutritional facts
Tried this recipe?Mention @WPRecipeMaker or tag #wprecipemaker!

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal

Do you like the recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it.  If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.

Here are a few more recipes you may like:

Easy Meringue Cookies

Chocolate Ice Cream

3-Ingredient Fudge

Classic French Macarons

Homemade Almond Roca Pin for Pinterest
(Pin it!)

34 Comments

  1. I’ve been making this recipe of almond Roca for years. My family and friends love it. Everyone asks for the recipe. They look forward to Christmas, because I give it as gifts or bring it to the party.

  2. This takes me back to my childhood, a wonderful addicting flavor.

    • So awesome, Mark! Yeah, super addicting! We always had this, peanut brittle, and fudge during the holidays, all homemade. My mom would give it as gifts to the neighbors, garbage men, and mailman.

  3. Melanie williams

    Oh my gosh this looks insane. A right tasty and scrummy treat for sure xx

  4. Almond Roca used to be one of my favorite go to candy during my younger days. My aunt who would come over during our summer holidays would make it and get over for all of us children in the house. Relived those memories. These days I have to abstain mostly due to the calorie considerations. Yet another great recipe.

  5. Eileen M Loya

    5 stars
    Thank you for the recipe. I will make this for the family for our weekend movie nights. They would love snacking on these homemade almond roca!

  6. 5 stars
    I really need to prepare this Almond Roca now! It´s hard to stay in shape with you DELICIOUS recipes, especially cause once I like something it´s hard to stop till you finish it all lol but thanks for the constant foodie inspiration!

  7. 5 stars
    This looks easy enough. Will have to try it.

  8. All of your recipes make me want to run to the store and spend the day in the kitchen. Definitely have to try this one as well!

  9. Hhhhmmmm….alright Matt! Some of these ingredients might prove hard to find but yeah, I will give it a shot.

  10. 5 stars
    Wow. Nice recipe. Surely I will try to make it and surprise my family.

  11. 5 stars
    I am definitely going to try this recipe. I was thinking about how amazing almond roca would be to make and give as a gift to one of my best friends. She loves it and eats it at least twice a week. I’m sure this is just amazing. I am going to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing.

  12. 5 stars
    I tried doing your Homemade Almond Roca! It was a success! It’s almost comparable. Thanks!

  13. 5 stars
    I love the smell and taste of almonds. Adding chocolate only makes it better.

  14. This looks so good. Unfortunately, I can’t eat it but I know someone who I can make it for 🙂

  15. OMFG yum! I want and need to make this the next time we have guests over. I know it will be a crowd pleaser!

  16. 5 stars
    One of my favorite candies to eat! Love how easy it is to make at home!

  17. Rachael Yerkes

    5 stars
    this is the best treat ever!

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