National English Toffee Day is on January 8 every year to celebrate the richness of America’s toffee variant and encourage us to cherish this much-loved confection. Did you know that the English toffee enjoyed by millions of people across the U.S. is slightly different from the original? The rich and delicious variant of original toffee was invented in England and is sometimes called American toffee or buttercrunch because of how it is prepared with white sugar and a variety of nuts. The original English toffee does not contain nuts, although it is equally delicious.
History of National English Toffee Day
January 8 is the day set aside to celebrate National English Toffee Day. Toffee is made by caramelizing sugar or molasses with butter and sometimes flour and then heated to the hard crack stage before optionally mixing it with raisins or nuts. It is then poured into a tray to cool into a slab that can be broken into pieces and eaten. The National Confectioners Association recognizes the day as a reminder of the richness of America’s toffee variant and encourages us to indulge in the much-loved confection.
Although millions of people enjoy English toffee across the U.S. for its chewy and tantalizing nature and aroma, toffee only came to be sometime during the 1800s. The Oxford English Dictionary first mentioned the word ‘toffee’ in 1825. England and other European countries had plenty of butter, and toffee was the perfect sweet to make with it.
You can celebrate National English Toffee Day by eating English toffee, cooking it with all the needed ingredients, and making some for yourself and your family. If you are industrious, you can even make a business out of it. Spend the day exploring your nearest toffee shops to grab some of the wide variety of English toffee available for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can enjoy it with milk or dark chocolate for a more delicious taste.
National English Toffee Day timeline
English toffee originates in the U.K. during the 19th century, and the earliest record of toffee is in 1825.
Jakob Christof Rad produces the first sugar cube in the world.
The art of confectionery comes into play with the first solid-state chocolate production.
The health benefits of Molasses, the main ingredient in toffee, is the subject of a 1951 novelty song titled ‘Black Strap Molasses.’
National English Toffee Day FAQs
What is the difference between English toffee and American toffee?
In England, toffees are made by caramelizing brown, not white sugar, as it is in the U.S. Americans also tend to add nuts and other ingredients to their toffee.
Why is it called ‘toffee?’
There are different views on this. Some believe the word ‘toffee’ derives from ‘tafia,’ a West Indian rum. Since cheap rum was once used to flavor candies, the word evolved and morphed into its current form. Others believe the name ‘toffee’ is a variation of the word ‘tough,’ relating to its chewiness.
Are toffee and taffy the same?
No, although they are similar. Toffee is a caramelized sugar or molasses candy invented in the United Kingdom. It is entirely different from the taffy invented in the U.S.
National English Toffee Day Activities
Eat some English toffee today
Celebrate National English Toffee Day by eating — you guessed, English toffee!
Make toffee
There is no better way to put your personal touch on the toffee you eat on National English Toffee Day than to make your own. Start by heating sugar and butter together, wait until caramelized, then pour into a mold with a sprinkle of almond. You’ll love it!
Share recipes on social media
Help people make the most out of National English Toffee Day by sharing your recipe! You can also use the hashtag #NationalEnglishToffeeDay or #EnglishToffeeDay.
5 Fun Facts About Sweets
Buttery goodness
As one of the main ingredients in English toffee, the fat from the butter makes toffee richer!
Mediterranean rum
According to legend, toffee got its name from ‘tafia,’ a Mediterranean rum made from molasses used as a flavoring agent in candy.
Honey, let’s make sweets
Before sugar was readily available in the ancient western world, the Egyptians and Greeks used honey to make candy and sweets.
The origin of the word ‘candy’
Sugar and desserts have a long history in India. People in India developed the technology to produce sugar crystals that they call ‘khanda,’ which is the source of the word ‘candy.’
Origin unknown
Although the National Confectioners Association recognizes National English Toffee Day, the founders and origin are unknown.
Why We Love National English Toffee Day
It tastes so good!
English toffee is a buttery toffee that is often made with almonds and tastes divine. National English Toffee Day serves as an opportunity to enjoy this rich buttery taste.
It’s a traditional English delicacy
Although English toffee is not actually how it is made in England, they are both enjoyed the same way!
So many different flavors
The Americanized English toffee tastes delicious with almonds, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, cookies, and more!
National English Toffee Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 8 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | January 8 | Thursday |
| 2027 | January 8 | Friday |
| 2028 | January 8 | Saturday |
| 2029 | January 8 | Monday |
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