I know there are people out there who don’t like coffee. And I try really hard to understand. I do. But I just can’t. I get that it’s an acquired taste. You have to enjoy strong, rich, and multi-dimensional foods. You can’t like weak flavors. You have to crave powerful and fragrant. Like a good strong beer or a pungent cheese, coffee isn’t for the weak-willed. But even if you don’t crave a big strong cup of coffee, can we still agree that the essence of coffee is a beautiful thing? Coffee in desserts and marinades adds flavor that you just can’t get from anywhere else.
Starbucks recently sent me a package with some samples of their VIA. Not only have I been drinking it up, but I also decided to try out one of the recipes they sent me with the package. It was for Coffee Toffee with Milk Chocolate and Pretzels and I jumped right on board with it. You should, too. I have a feeling it could change your whole outlook on coffee.
Coffee Toffee (makes a pan full of toffee… AKA a lot):
Print this recipe!
- 2 C sugar
- 1/2 C water
- 1/8 C corn syrup
- 2 sticks (1 C) butter
- 1/2 t salt
- 1 C almond slivers
- 1 C pretzels, chopped
- 2 packets Starbucks VIA
- 1/2 t vanilla
- 1/4 C milk chocolate, chopped
First of all, have you had VIA yet? I’m pretty sure it’s saving my life. Starbucks sent me a couple boxes of it and I immediately brought it to work and stuck it in my desk drawer. I recently started a new office job and while I love it, it’s definitely incredibly different from working at home (and sitting in front of the coffee pot all day). Especially when I have things to do after work, like teach a blogging class until 9 p.m., I need an afternoon pick-me-up. VIA to the rescue! All I have to do is heat up some water and pour the VIA in.
But in case you’re thinking “ew, instant coffee.” I swear it’s not like that. Starbucks wouldn’t do that to you and you know it. VIA actually tastes just like a cup of coffee you would buy at the Starbucks down the street. It’s kind of amazing how they do that.
So, yes you can drink it just the way it is. But it’s also perfectly ideal for mixing into any and all baked goods.
To start, sugar, water, and corn syrup to a boil. Using a candy thermometer, boil until mixture reaches 280 degrees F. I thought my thermometer was malfunctioning, so I used two. Yes, I have multiple candy thermometers.
Once the mixture reaches 280 degrees, stir in the butter. Then let the mixture heat further to 315 degrees. Stir in the salt, almonds, and half the pretzels.
Cook until the mixture reaches 320 degrees and then remove from heat and stir in the Starbucks VIA coffee and vanilla.
Pour the toffee into a greased 9x13x2 pan with sides. My pan was a big larger, but as you can see, it was no big deal.
Let the toffee cool for about 15 minutes and then sprinkle on the milk chocolate to cover the surface of the toffee. The sprinkle on the rest of the pretzels and gently press into the chocolate.
Break the toffee into pieces. You can store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. I put mine in the fridge so the chocolate could harden and have been enjoying it for a few days now.
If I’m being completely honest, I have to say this toffee is absolutely amazing! It was my first time making toffee and now only did it taste just like it should, but the coffee gave it a whole new dimension! Of course, I already loved the salty/sweet contrast of the pretzels and chocolate, but the coffee added a depth and slight bitterness that made this more mature than the average coffee.
I know it’s a little bit too early to be thinking about holiday presents, but this toffee nicely packaged with a pretty bow would make an amazing gift. Perhaps with a little box of Starbucks VIA attached? What, that makes me sound like a walking advertisement for Starbucks?
While I’m coming up with big ideas, why doesn’t Starbucks start serving this toffee at their shops? I have a feeling it would be an absolutely huge seller. Coffee, chocolate, toffee, and pretzels… I’m telling you, dreams do come true!
Starbucks VIA Giveaway!
Starbucks wants to give one of our readers the same gift package they sent me! It’s filled with a few packages of VIA, some pretty recipe cards, and a Starbucks spatula.
To enter the giveaway, let me know what you like adding coffee to when cooking or baking.
For additional entries:
1) Follow We are not Martha on Twitter
2) Tweet about this giveaway
3) Fan us on Facebook
Please leave a comment for each additional entry.. And also let us know if you’re already following/a fan/etc. for extra entries. Enter until Sunday October 2, at 11:59 p.m. Good luck!
Edit: Did you know it’s National Coffee Day on Thursday! I guess this post is just in time 
I love when things fall into place like that… And National Coffee Day might be the best idea ever!
[Sues]
I like adding coffee to bake artisan bread
Follow We are not Martha on Twitter@tcarolinep
tweet.http://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/119300963013111808
FB fan
Jessie c.
added to chocolate chip cookies, or oatmeal!
Looks scrumptious! PLEASE bring some home!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!
I have a chocolate cake recipe that includes coffee in it.
I love me some Via. It saves me in the afternoon when I am teaching high schoolers and their energy outweighs mine. I like adding it to chocolate cake. Yum!
oh so fun! I saw a chili recipe that had coffee in it and really want to try that this fall/winter!
I love love love coffee… I honestly don’t get people that give it up, except those that can’t physically have it (Adam starts twitching if he does. Not pretty). Saving this recipe for toffee. I LOVE sweet & salty things like that.
I love adding coffee to chocolate desserts… and, more recently, to vodka. Just made homemade Kahlua! Great giveaway.
I follow on twitter (@acambridgestory)
I love adding coffee to homemade granola bars. It adds a touch of deeper flavor!
I love using the Via in my tiramisu. The little packets are so convenient and give a nice, strong coffee flavor.
I put coffee in anything that has chocolate. It makes the chocolate taste richer.
In anything chocolate.
I love adding coffee to my hot chocolate, banana bread, and cakes. I also follow WANM on twitter and liked your Facebook page.
I love adding coffee to my hot chocolate! I also love adding chocolate covered espresso beans to my ice cream. I already follow you on twitter
I add coffee to any recipe calling for chocolate, but especially cupcakes.
I follow on twitter
And I am a fan on facebook
To brownies. This recipe looks a-mazing.
This is so fun! I can’t say enough about the salty & sweet combination- just delicious. Coffee is BEST when added to anything chocolate. They just work together
Tweeted as @ant5s
I am already a follwer at Twitter @HippeDogCo
I tweeted about this
http://twitter.com/#!/HippieDogCo/status/119401248482000896
Nothing is better than coffee and chocolate!
I like to add some coffee to my chocolate cakes.
Following on twitter as “4rosies.”
I am now a fan on Facebook!
Coffee cupcakes!
I don’t think I’ve ever added coffee to anything while baking! Does that mean we can’t be friends anymore?
Speaking of Starbucks though, did you see their “secret menu” that was on pinterest? It sounds so good!
I’m a facebook fan, of course!
I’m tweeting about this too!
So I obviously follow you on twitter
I always add it to chocolate cupcakes!
I am already a fan! (under my real name though… I pointed out the lack of butter step in the caramel cupcake recipe, hehe)
I also follow you on twitter (beecooks) and retweeted the contest!
Oops that should have been two separate comments! Well I re-tweeted
And I LOVE via!
I follow you on Twitter
I also liked you on facebook!!
and I tweeted about your giveaway!
I love VIA but never thought to add it to baked goods! Great idea. I would love to put it in coffee cake muffins.
I follow you guys on Facebook!
I tweeted the giveaway from @mofish417!
Love adding coffee to custards!
I follow on Twitter
I liked you on FB
Follow on Twitter!! (LindsayInNYC)
Liked on FB
I love adding coffee to a spice rub, goes great on a grilled steak!
Retweeted! – https://twitter.com/#!/LindsayInNYC/status/119421281895587841
I like to add coffee to chocolate cake recipes! I’m currently a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in western China, though, so that means no coffee (only instant Nescafe) and no homemade chocolate cake (no oven). I am so excited to try this toffee recipe!
Chocolate!!! especially when I make irish cream truffles, it tastes like an amazing coffee drink
Once in a blue moon I’ll make a coffee bundt cake that is super yummy.
Tweeted the giveaway, of course!
And hey, already “like” (more like LOVE) you on FB!
Love added coffee in brownies and chocolate cake (well, anything chocolate). And I just liked you on fb!
Yum!! That sounds delicious. I haven’t added coffee to anything cooked/baked yet but I do have a cake recipe that I’ve been dying to try. Also? I know it’s not really coffee but chocolate covered espresso beans are just about the best thing ever.
Can I make a confession? I never liked coffee until this year. Now I can’t live without it.
I already like you on facebook and follow you on twitter
I tweeted about the giveaway here: http://twitter.com/#!/ashalahblogs/status/119432540674211843
We tried a coffee rub on pork a couple of months ago and it was DELICIOUS.
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com
My boyfriend and I made a Coffee Stout Porter beer this past winter, and you put actual coffee grounds into the beer…it was delicious! I too love coffee with just about anything.
I tweeted about the giveaway @wickedgoodtravl and I already am a fan on FB. Cheers!
Like you on FB (SusanBenegas)
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com
I add a little instant coffee to chocolate chip cookies. Yum!
And I like you on facebook.
i love expresso brownies…extra caffeine boost:)
I like(more like love) We are not martha on FB
and i follow via twitter!
Coffee in brownies!
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
I follow We are Not Martha on Twitter.
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
I like you on fb
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
i always add it to brownies or chocolate cake/cupcakes — it’s all those years of hearing the barefoot contessa tell me to!
I add brewed coffee to a chocolate cake recipe, and instant coffee (I always use VIA!) to a brownie recipe…sooooo yummy
And I like you on Facebook!
I like adding coffee to brownies!
Also like you on Facebook!
i’m a big fan of coffee rubs on meats.
mmmmmm.
I like adding coffee to shortbread cookies. It cuts through the sweet a little and makes them a little more “grown-up.”
Hi girls! I love to add a little instant coffee to chili – it adds a nice depth of flavor when things get a little too tangy and tomato-y. Also, of course, tiramisu…so delicious!
the more coffee the better (in life and in baked goods!)
i add coffee to chocolate cupcakes and brownies
I like to use coffee in chocolate cheesecake and marscarpone frosting.
I love adding coffee to brownies. It really enhances the chocolate flavor. I do like coffee, but i’ll admit I’m the girl who waters it down a bit with milk and sweetens it with sugar.
I’m really into Ina Garten’s concept of adding instant coffee to anything involving chocolate (like ganache or frostings) to add depth of flavor…going to have to try it more!
FB fan now too
Starbucks – yum. I have a recipe, that I like to use during the holidays, for a mocha fudge pie from Cooking Light that uses instant coffee (and a dash of Kahlua). Great flavor and only a little dessert guilt.
coffee brownies!!
I have only tried one recipe with coffee in it – a smitten kitchen chocolate cake recipe and my family HATED it. They could taste the coffee – I am the only coffee drinker in the house. So I don’t use it to cook with but I sure do drink a lot of it!
never added coffee to anything…but might try to make this toffee!!
already a facebook fan!
already follow you guys on twitter!
tweeted about this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/tatabex/status/119542860449193984
I add a tablespoon of freeze-dried coffee to my vanilla protein powder drink and throw in a frozen banana and a couple of ice cubes……blend for 30 seconds and drink. It’s delicious!!
If I’m feeling particularly caffeine deprived, I’ll add my coffee to a can of Coke or Pepsi — double jolt of goodness!!!
I follow on twitter and FB — can’t wait to try the toffee recipe
I like adding coffee to homemade ice cream for coffee flavoring!
I like you on fb as Dee G
https://twitter.com/#!/DeeGee13/status/119605351929741314
The frosting recipe for my banana cake is very simple: icing sugar, a bit of butter and some strong, black coffee mixed to a nice spreading consistency – top with shaved chocolate or chocolate sprinkles. I’d love to win your give-away. I enjoy reading your blog.
Oh.. I’m drooling! And I really like the pretzel addition. I added coffee to BBQ sauce and really liked it.
What don’t I love adding coffee to! I must admit I just recently became a huge coffee drinker the past few years, but nothing beats coffee and chocolate. Preferably a cake. Also tried making coffee ice cream this past summer which was delicious! =) I follow you lovely ladies on twitter and an avid reader of your blog! @xonikkiannette
I don’t often use coffee for baking, but I do love making my own version of a pumpkin spice blend using spiced honey and creamer.
I’m a FB fan (Mari Doug)
I love adding it to desserts, especially cakes.
I like your site on FB.
And I follow @MommaStaciA. Thanks!
I like adding coffee – or, rather, instant espresso powder – to chocolate cookies. Gives them an awesome kick!
I like adding coffee when baking to a lot of my recipes that have chocolate in it. The coffee really brings out the chocolate taste; in brownies, cookies, Icings and cakes
I follow We are not Martha on Twitter.
I fan you on Facebook.
I tweeted this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/#!/Cinbat03
I like adding coffee and chunks of milk chocolate to fudge brownie mix. It is so good! Thank you for offering such a fun and yummy giveaway.
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow you on Twitter via @normawatson
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/normawatson/status/119951716962672641
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com
I “like” you on Facebook – Cindy A.
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com
Add it to chocolate cake
I follow you on twitter- @ericathomas
I liked you on FB
I retweeted your tweet! @ericathomas
I’ve added coffee to bread when baking.
I follow We are not Martha on Twitter (@shala_darkstone).
I “like” your Facebook page (FB name: Maddie Brubaker).
When baking, I like adding coffee to me – seriously, major addict! Martha has a great Irish Coffee Cupcake recipe with whiskey whipped cream as a topping – that was a great coffee baking combo.
I liked adding it to anything with chocolate.. Really enhances the flavor
Follow you on twitter!
I add coffee to my beef marinades!
I follow y’all on Twitter =)
I liked y’all on Facebook =)
I tweeted too!
Coffee and chocolate…………two of my favorites!
I add coffee to muffin recipes and batches of fudge to add an extra special twist!
I am a big coffee drinker but I haven’t actually ever added it to anything I’ve cooked!… thanks for the ideas!
tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/egood33/status/120525338701869057
I Follow We are not Martha on Twitter!
I like you on FB!
I add coffee to chocolate cake recipes!
Liked you on facebook!
I’m a fb fan of you lovely ladies
I retweeted your VIA giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/wearenotmartha/status/119417479394099200
and lastly I follow you on Twitter! Going to make this recipe apart of my Christmas offerings
Looks awesome Sues. I have a recipe for coffee maple beer chicken. Must credit Jennfer Hamilton at http://www.domesticgoddess.ca for this recipe. I have subscribe to your blog for some time. Love to follow your foodie adventures as well as significant events in both of your personal lives. Thanks for sharing.