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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Almond Rock

    Published: Nov 8, 2023 · Modified: May 17, 2025 by Libby Hakim · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Almond Rock Toffee is a crunchy almond brittle with a smooth, buttery finish. It's a treat that's perfect for special occasions or gifting.

    Almond Rock.
    Jump to:
    • The Recipe
    • Ingredient notes
    • How to make Almond Rock
    • Storing your sweets
    • Other recipes for gifting
    • Almond Rock (Almond Toffee)

    The Recipe

    I found this recipe in the archives of my local paper, The Maitland Mercury. I sometimes browse the older versions, looking for recipes that Nana Ling sent into the paper back in the day.

    Published back in 1939, this recipe for Almond Rock seemed easy enough to follow – and it is hard to resist a nut brittle recipe.

    almond rock recipe.

    Ingredient notes

    All you'll need are these basics:

    • brown sugar
    • caster sugar
    • butter
    • blanched or slivered almonds (or a combination of both)
    • hot water
    • cream of tartar.
    ingredients for almond rock

    The ingredient measurements can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

    How to make Almond Rock

    Start by greasing a slice tray.

    If you have a sweet thermometer, get that out too. It's not essential, but will help get the timing precise.

    Next, place the butter in a saucepan and melt over low heat.

    TIP: Make sure you use a large saucepan as the mixture will froth up a lot!

    Add the two types of sugar, hot water and cream of tartar and stir over medium heat to dissolve the sugar.

    Bring to the boil and then adjust the temperature so it maintains a steady boil. You may need to reduce the temperature to the lowest available.

    boiling sugar mixture for almond rock.

    Now, if you have a sweet thermometer, use that and keep boiling – without stirring – until the temperature of the mixture reaches 135-140 degrees celsius/275-285 degrees fahrenheit.

    If you don't have a sweet thermometer, boil for 15-20 minutes.

    Once the sugar mixture is ready, remove from heat and pour into the greased tray immediately. Sprinkle almonds evenly over mixture and leave to cool completely.

    When cool and completely set, invert the tray and tap the bottom of tray with a rolling pin or similar to release the almond rock from the tray.

    Once released, it's time to have a bit of fun. Hit sharply with a meat tenderiser or similar to break into pieces.

    breaking almond rock into pieces.

    Woohoo! So satisfying.

    Storing your sweets

    Store Almond Rock in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

    It should keep up to a few weeks. Unless you have a dad like mine – it'll be gone in 24 hours.

    Other recipes for gifting

    Looking for more ideas for edible gifts? Check out these popular recipes:

    • almond bread.
      Almond Bread
    • nuts and bolts in a bowl.
      Nuts and Bolts Recipe
    • coconut ice.
      Coconut Ice
    • mini christmas fruit cakes
      Mini Christmas Cakes

    Made this recipe and love it? Please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. (And it really makes my day to hear how Nana Ling's recipes are being made, shared and loved all around the world! - Libby x)

    For more fun and deliciousness in the kitchen, follow along on Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest, and subscribe for new posts via email.

    pieces of almond rock toffee.

    Almond Rock (Almond Toffee)

    Libby Hakim
    A sweet and buttery almond toffee.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Australian, British, English, European, New Zealand
    Servings 24 pieces
    Calories 148 kcal

    Equipment

    • sweet thermometer (useful but not absolutely essential)
    • slice tray (27 x 17cm approximately)

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups brown sugar (290 grams)
    • ½ cup caster sugar (100 grams)
    • 125 grams butter
    • 170 grams blanched almonds or slivered almonds (or a combination of both)
    • ½ cup hot water (125 ml)
    • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

    Instructions
     

    • Grease a slice tray.
    • Place butter in a saucepan and melt over low heat.
    • Add sugars, hot water and cream of tartar and stir over medium heat to dissolve the sugar.
    • Bring to the boil and then adjust heat to continue boiling for 15-20 minutes or until the temperature reaches 135-140 degrees celsius/275-285 degrees fahrenheit.
    • Pour into the greased tray and sprinkle almonds evenly over mixture. Leave on the kitchen bench to cool completely.
    • When cool, invert the tray and tap bottom of tray with a rolling pin or similar to release the almond rock from the tray. Once released, hit sharply with a meat tenderiser or similar to break into pieces.

    Notes

    Storing:
    Store Almond Rock in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It should keep up to a few weeks.
    Freezing: 
    Not suitable.
    Nutrition:
    The nutrition information is an automatically generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 39mgPotassium: 73mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 131IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?If you love it, let me know!

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    Comments

    1. Sandie

      November 22, 2023 at 12:57 pm

      Can I change the almonds to other nuts?

      Reply
      • Libby Hakim

        November 27, 2023 at 12:18 pm

        Absolutely!

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Libby, a recipe collector and writer. I love everything about home cooking and share modern classics and recipes that have been passed down for generations – I hope you find a few that bring back treasured memories.

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