Toffee Christmas Tradition

I wrote this post for my best friend Synth, to post on her awesome blog called Igniting Creativity.  She posts recipes and other fun ideas from people who have ignited creativity in her (such a fun idea for a blog).  She asked me to write about a favorite recipe of mine and tell who has ignited creativity in me.  I decided to post what I wrote on my blog too because I want my posterity to know that this toffee is a Christmas tradition.

Toffee

 (don't be mislead by the name! If you are like me and you don't enjoy traditional toffee, the kind that's super hard and crunchy, don't worry, this does not taste like that, I promise!)

Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Line a large cookie sheet with foil.  Heavily grease foil with lots of butter.
Line cookie sheet with saltine crackers, salt side up.

Mix the following together in a saucepan, then cook on medium/high until it comes to a boil.  Boil for 2 minutes.  Stirring constantly.
1 cup real butter (no substitutions)
1 cup brown sugar

Pour the above mixture over the crackers, spread around (it will start to thicken).
Put in oven for 5 minutes (watch it because you don't want the crackers to brown too much on the edges or burn).  Remove and cool for a second.
Pour 1 bag of chocolate chips (I use less than 1 bag) on top and spread around until all the crackers have chocolate on them.
Put sliced almonds or any kind of nut you like on top. (optional)
Let cool (place in freezer or outside if you're in a hurry) and then break up the crackers into small pieces.

I chose this recipe because it reminds me of Christmas time and my mom.  I remember helping my mom make this recipe every Christmas.  She taught me how to make it (even though it's super easy) and we gave it away to neighbors and friends.  That is, if I didn't eat all of it!  It's super addicting!  

My mom has ignited creativity in me by always encouraging me to "Dream Big."  She always taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to-- which I actually learned was true in college!  She was right, but moms are always right, right?  And although I wouldn't consider myself a very creative person, I truly believe (thanks to her) that I can achieve any dream I have- with hard work and determination, of course!