Churro Toffee Deluxe: Disneyland Magic with Pro Candy-Making Tricks
If you’ve ever walked down Main Street, U.S.A., with that intoxicating smell of cinnamon-sugar in the air, you’ve probably encountered Disneyland’s legendary Churro Toffee. It’s buttery, crisp, coated in creamy white chocolate, and dusted generously with cinnamon-sugar — basically, a churro’s sophisticated cousin.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need a park ticket (or a churro cart) to experience it. With a few pantry staples, premium Watkins spices and extracts, and my pro candy-making tricks, you can make Churro Toffee even better than the original right in your own kitchen.
- The Upgraded Churro Toffee Deluxe recipe (with brown sugar depth)
- Four professional candy-making tricks to ensure perfect texture and shine
- Tips for storing and gifting so it stays fresh and beautiful
Why This Churro Toffee is Next-Level
The classic Disneyland version is addictive, but we’re taking things up a notch with Watkins Organic Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla®, Watkins Mediterranean Sea Salt, and Watkins Pure Ground Cinnamon. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill seasonings — they’re intensely aromatic, smooth, and made for bakers who care about flavor.
We’re also adding light brown sugar to the toffee base, which creates a molasses-like richness. The result? A toffee that’s buttery, cinnamon-kissed, and balanced, with a subtle salty finish that keeps you coming back for more. And with the upcoming Fall🍂 and Holiday Season 🦃underway, this recipe will be perfect😊
Ingredients
For the Toffee Base:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon Watkins Mediterranean Sea Salt
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon Watkins Organic Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla®
For the Topping:
- 2 cups white chocolate chips (Ghirardelli recommended)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Watkins Pure Ground Cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep Your Baking Sheet: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Measure all ingredients before you start.
- Cook the Toffee: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add sugars, salt, and water. Stir gently until combined, then stop stirring when it boils. Swirl occasionally until it reaches 285°F. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and pour onto a baking sheet.
- Melt & Spread the Chocolate: While the toffee cools slightly, melt the white chocolate in the microwave (in 30-second bursts). Spread evenly over warm toffee.
- Add the Churro Sugar: Mix sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle generously over the chocolate while still soft, pressing lightly.
- Cool & Cut: Let the mixture cool completely before cutting into squares or breaking it into shards.
Pro Candy-Making Tricks for Perfect Toffee
1. Prevent Grainy Texture
- Wipe down pan sides with a damp pastry brush before cooking.
- Stop stirring after boiling begins — just swirl the pan.
- Cover for the first minute to let steam wash down crystals.
2. Control the Heat
- Cook at medium heat to avoid scorching the butter.
- Use a calibrated candy thermometer for accuracy.
3. Prevent Chocolate Bloom
- Let the toffee cool slightly before adding the chocolate.
- Temper the chocolate for a glossy finish: melt ⅔ of it, then stir in the remaining ⅓.
- Store at cool room temperature.
4. Flavor Burst with Sea Salt
- Sprinkle a pinch of Watkins Mediterranean Sea Salt on hot toffee before adding chocolate.
Serving & Storing Tips
- Serving: Pair with coffee or hot cocoa.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Gifting: Wrap in cellophane bags with a cinnamon stick for a festive touch.
Churro Toffee Deluxe Recipe Card
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cooling Time: 30–60 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour
Servings: 16–20 squares
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ tsp Watkins Mediterranean Sea Salt
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp Watkins Organic Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla®
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
- 1 tbsp Watkins Pure Ground Cinnamon
Instructions:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter, then add the sugars, salt, and water. Stir until combined.
- Stop stirring after boiling; cook to 285°F. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the mixture onto the sheet and spread it evenly. Melt the chocolate and spread it over the toffee.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar, and sprinkle over the chocolate.
- Cool completely, cut into squares.
Pro Tips: Use brown sugar for richer flavor, avoid stirring after boiling, temper chocolate for shine, and add a pinch of sea salt for bursts of flavor.
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links through which, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
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