National Almond Buttercrunch Day
Today's the day. The day your sweet tooth gets its moment in the spotlight. Because yes, June 29 is National Almond Buttercrunch Day- a celebration of the beloved dessert topping that people have been obsessed with for over a century.
If you've ever wondered why buttercrunch tastes so good with coffee, or why it's the perfect crunch on top of your ice cream, here's the truth: it's toffee covered in chocolate creating buttercrunch- a treat with a crunchy texture and a caramel flavor that melts in your mouth.
But don't call it English toffee. That's rookie move. Here's the distinction: buttercrunch was created in America, unlike real English toffee which isn't covered with nuts and is usually made with brown sugar (while buttercrunch uses white).
The magic formula? Butter and sugar melted together and boiled until it reaches the hard crack stage (roughly 149-154 Celsius), almonds are added just before, then it's cooled, dipped in chocolate, and rolled in crumbled almonds.
Simple. Brilliant. Addictive.
History
The Early Days (1920s)
Almond buttercrunch became popular in the early 1900s when confectioners began experimenting with different ways to make toffee. But the real turning point? In 1923, a candy company called Brown & Haley came up with an almond buttercrunch recipe and sold it under the name Almond Roca.
Why "Roca"? Because most almonds were imported from Spain at the time, the Spanish word for rock is "roca," and almonds have a rock-like texture. Brilliant branding, honestly.
The WWII Game Changer
Here's where this gets actually interesting. Popularity grew during WWII when families would send the treat to soldiers on the front- it was affordable to make, easily transported in packages, and had a long shelf life.
But there's more: J.C. Haley, one of the company's co-founders, decided to package buttercrunch in tins because he figured if tins could keep coffee fresh, they could keep buttercrunch fresh as well- this became particularly useful during World War II when many tins were sent overseas to soldiers, which helped increase the popularity of buttercrunch globally.
That's not just smart packaging. That's legacy.
How to Celebrate National Almond Buttercrunch Day
Option 1: Go Store-Bought
Skip the thermometer and just enjoy. Grab some Almond Roca (the OG), hit up your local candy shop, or order online. Since several brands make almond buttercrunch creamers and syrups, you can brew a cup of coffee in the comfort of your home, or order an almond buttercrunch biscotti to dip into black coffee.
Pro tip: Visit a local candy shop instead. Support the people keeping this tradition alive.
Option 2: Get Adventurous in the Kitchen
Toffee requires cooking sugar at high temperatures, so you need a good candy thermometer, precision, timing, and safety precautions but when all these elements come together, success is sweet.
Fair warning: this isn't a five-minute project. But it's absolutely doable, and homemade always tastes better.
Option 3: Use It, Don't Eat It Alone
Buttercrunch can be served on top of ice cream or enjoyed on its own, buttercrunch flavored cookies or cakes are other ways to enjoy it, and bakers love crumbly bits sprinkled on top of cupcakes for just a hint of crunch.
Think beyond just candy. Think:
- Mixed into brownie batter
- Sprinkled on whipped cream
- Crushed into cookie dough
- Layered in a sundae
- Scattered on lemon bars
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