Facts About Knäck
Knäck, or Christmas Butterscotch, is a cherished Swedish toffee traditionally crafted during the holiday season. The term "knäck" translates to "crack" referring to its typically hard texture, though some people prefer a softer, chewier version achieved by cooking it for a shorter duration.
To make knäck, you'll need equal parts (generally about 0.3 liters each) of heavy cream, sugar, and golden syrup (or Swedish light syrup, known as "ljus sirap"), along with a few tablespoons of butter. Additionally, you can include a pinch of vanilla sugar or some finely chopped almonds for added flavor.
Here's how you prepare it: Combine all the ingredients in a heavy-based saucepan and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then, let the mixture simmer until it reaches your desired consistency, which can take up to an hour and a half. Once it's ready, stir in the almonds and pour the mixture into waxed paper cups to cool.
Knäck is a popular and relatively simple treat to make, with a texture that can be customized to your preference based on the cooking time.