Irresistible Christmas Toffee

Christmas Crack, famously known as Saltine Cracker Toffee, is a holiday sensation that effortlessly combines sweet and salty flavors into an irresistibly addictive treat. Forget the fuss of a candy thermometer; this simple recipe promises perfect results every time, making it a favorite for busy bakers and candy enthusiasts alike. Whether you adorn it with festive sprinkles, crunchy nuts, or colorful M&Ms, this delightful confection is sure to be a star on any holiday dessert table.

Craving more festive delights? You might also love this white chocolate-covered Christmas Crack Mix for another delightful crunch!

Christmas Crack Recipe: A Cherished Holiday Tradition

Growing up, December was a magical time filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods. My mom, siblings, and I would spend countless hours in the kitchen, turning out tray after tray of festive treats. While Carmelitas held a special place in my heart, this incredible Saltine Cracker Toffee always came in at a very close second. Its simplicity and phenomenal taste made it a staple in our holiday baking marathon.

The true joy of making Christmas Crack always came with the decorating. It was a canvas for creativity! Adding vibrant M&Ms, sparkling sprinkles, a delicate white chocolate drizzle, or crunchy toffee bits was the highlight. Who could resist double the toffee goodness? It’s a guaranteed win for any sweet tooth!

These addictive squares are not just a perfect holiday treat for your own family; they also make fantastic, heartfelt gifts for friends, neighbors, teachers, and anyone else on your holiday list. Their unique blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures ensures they’re always a hit, spreading cheer with every bite. The ease of preparation means you can whip up multiple batches without breaking a sweat, making your holiday gifting both delicious and stress-free.

Essential Ingredients for Irresistible Christmas Crack

The beauty of this Christmas Crack recipe lies in its minimalist approach. You only need four core ingredients, plus any delightful toppings you choose to add. Each plays a vital role in creating that perfect balance of textures and flavors.

• Saltine crackers: These form the crispy, salty foundation of your treat, providing a fantastic contrast to the sweet toffee and chocolate. While saltines are traditional, feel free to experiment with graham crackers for a sweeter, more subtle base, or even Ritz crackers for an extra buttery, rich flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Crucial for developing that rich, golden toffee. Using unsalted butter gives you precise control over the overall saltiness of the final product, allowing the saltiness from the crackers to shine through perfectly.
• Brown sugar: This is what transforms into the glorious, chewy caramel-like toffee layer. Always use fresh, soft brown sugar for the best results; older, hardened sugar can affect the texture and smoothness of your toffee. Lightly packed is usually the standard for baking.
• Chocolate chips: The chocolate layer adds decadence and helps bind the toppings. You have complete freedom here! Dark chocolate offers a sophisticated bitterness, semi-sweet provides a classic balance, and milk chocolate lends a creamy, sweeter touch. Feel free to mix and match or even use white chocolate for a different aesthetic and flavor profile.
• Optional Toppings: This is where the fun truly begins! We’ll dive into a plethora of creative ideas below, but think nuts, sprinkles, candies, and more.

Elevate Your Toffee: Creative Topping Ideas for Christmas Crack

One of the most delightful aspects of Christmas Crack is the endless possibilities for customization through toppings. This allows you to tailor each batch to different tastes or holiday themes. Get creative and make it uniquely yours!

• Nuts: A classic choice for adding texture and flavor. Roughly chop pecans, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, or almonds. For an extra boost of flavor, opt for dry-roasted and lightly salted nuts, or even candied nuts for an additional layer of sweetness and crunch.
• Sprinkles: Perfect for adding a festive touch! Match your sprinkle colors to specific holidays (red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter) or any event you’re celebrating. They add a playful pop of color and a slight textural crunch.
• Sea Salt Flakes: If you’re a true fan of the sweet and salty combination, a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the chocolate layer is a must. It intensifies the flavors and adds a sophisticated finish.
• White Chocolate Drizzle: For an elegant presentation and another layer of flavor, melt about 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips. Transfer the melted chocolate to a small piping bag or a Ziploc bag with a tiny corner snipped off, then drizzle it artfully over the still-wet chocolate layer. This looks stunning, especially when paired with other toppings.
• Toffee Bits: For the ultimate toffee lover, sprinkling crushed toffee bits (like Heath Bar bits) on top adds an incredible depth of flavor and even more buttery crunch. It’s a double dose of deliciousness!
• Crushed Peppermint: For a refreshing and distinctly holiday flavor, sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint candies over the melted chocolate. The cooling mint pairs wonderfully with the rich chocolate and toffee.
• Mini M&M’s or other small candies: These add a fun pop of color and chocolatey goodness, perfect for kids and adults alike.
• Dried Cranberries or Cherries: For a touch of tartness and a chewy texture, sprinkle finely chopped dried fruits.
• Shredded Coconut: Toasted or untoasted, coconut flakes can add a tropical twist and delightful texture.

How To Make Christmas Crack: A Simple Guide to Holiday Bliss

Making Christmas Crack is surprisingly straightforward, requiring minimal effort for maximum deliciousness. Follow these steps for a perfect batch of Saltine Cracker Toffee every time:

1. Prepare Your Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 15×10-inch sheet pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, ensuring it covers the edges for easy cleanup. Generously coat the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange an even layer of saltine crackers across the entire pan, breaking them as needed to fill any gaps. This crispy base is crucial!
2. Craft the Buttery Toffee: In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the cubed unsalted butter and light brown sugar. Place the pot over medium-low heat. Patience is key here; resist the temptation to increase the heat, even if it seems slow. Stir constantly with a silicone spatula, moving gently in one consistent direction, until the mixture fully melts and reaches a rolling boil. Once it’s actively boiling, stop stirring and allow it to boil for exactly 3 minutes. This precise timing ensures the toffee sets perfectly without becoming too soft or too hard.
3. Bake and Top with Chocolate: After 3 minutes, remove the pot from the heat immediately. Carefully pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the cracker-lined pan. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly spread; it will even out during baking. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for precisely 5 minutes. After baking, very carefully remove the pan from the oven. Let it stand undisturbed for 2 minutes, then sprinkle your chosen chocolate chips evenly over the warm toffee. Let the pan rest again, without touching the chocolate, for another 5 minutes. This allows the residual heat to perfectly melt the chocolate.
4. Spread and Set: Using a clean, offset spatula or the back of a spoon, gently spread and coax the melted chocolate into a smooth, even layer over the toffee. Work quickly, as the chocolate will start to set. If you’re adding any optional toppings, sprinkle them on immediately while the chocolate is still soft and tacky, so they adhere well.
5. Chill and Enjoy: Transfer the entire pan to the refrigerator and allow the chocolate to harden completely, which typically takes about 30 minutes. For a quicker set, you can place it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Once fully set, carefully lift the cracker sheet from the foil. You can then break it into rustic, uneven pieces by hand, or use a sharp knife to chop it into more uniform squares. Enjoy your homemade Christmas Crack!

Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Crack Every Time

Achieving that perfectly balanced, crispy-chewy Christmas Crack is easy when you keep a few expert tips in mind. These small details can make a big difference in the texture and appearance of your holiday treat:

• Wait two minutes before adding chocolate: This crucial waiting period allows the hot toffee to cool slightly. Adding chocolate too soon to a very hot surface can cause it to “seize” or create unsightly patchy, streaky spots (known as chocolate bloom) as the fat separates. Patience here results in a smooth, glossy chocolate layer.
• Always use a pan with edges: This might seem obvious, but using a rimmed baking sheet (like a jelly roll pan) is essential. It prevents the buttery toffee mixture from spilling over the sides and creating a sticky, smoking mess in your oven.
• Line the pan for easy cleanup: Heavy-duty aluminum foil is your best friend for this recipe. Line the pan thoroughly and generously coat it with cooking spray. This ensures that once the Christmas Crack cools and hardens, it peels away cleanly from the foil, making cleanup a breeze. Parchment paper also works well for lining.
• Use a wet pastry brush for toffee edges: As your butter and brown sugar mixture simmers, sugar crystals can sometimes form on the sides of the pot. To prevent these crystals from falling into your toffee and causing it to seize or become grainy, use a pastry brush dipped in water to gently wipe down the sides of the pot.
• Don’t increase the heat too quickly: When melting the butter and brown sugar, start on medium-low heat and do not increase it until the sugar is completely dissolved. This process takes time and requires patience, but it’s vital for smooth, non-grainy toffee. Rushing it can lead to burnt sugar or a gritty texture.
• Stir slowly and evenly in one direction: While the butter and brown sugar are melting, stir constantly but gently. Stirring too vigorously or changing directions frequently can introduce air bubbles or encourage the toffee mixture to separate, resulting in a less desirable texture. A slow, consistent stir in one direction promotes a smooth, cohesive toffee.
• Choose quality chocolate: Using good quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate will significantly impact the final taste and texture of your Christmas Crack. Higher quality chocolate melts smoother and tastes richer.
• Proper cooling for best texture: Allowing the Christmas Crack to chill sufficiently in the refrigerator (or freezer) ensures the toffee and chocolate layers harden completely, resulting in that satisfying snap when you break it into pieces.

More Delightful Candy Recipes to Sweeten Your Day

If you loved making Christmas Crack, you’ll surely enjoy exploring these other easy and delicious candy recipes, perfect for any occasion:

• Peppermint Bark Pretzels – A festive and simple treat made with just three ingredients.
• Turtle Candy – Classic caramel, pecan, and chocolate clusters with a delightful pretzel crunch.
• Honeycomb Candy – Light and airy sponge candy, often dipped in chocolate.
• Healthy Crunch Bars – A guilt-free indulgence with only three ingredients.
• Fudge Recipe – Rich, creamy fudge made quickly and easily in the microwave.

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Christmas Crack (Saltine Cracker Toffee)

By

Chelsea Lords

Christmas Crack is a festive, irresistible treat that layers salty crackers, buttery toffee, rich chocolate, and crunchy toppings for a sweet holiday sensation!

Prep Time:

15 minutes
minutes

Cook Time:

5 minutes
minutes

Total Time:

20 minutes
minutes

Servings:

20
servings

Recipe Video

Equipment

• Sheet pan (15″ x 10″) 15 x 10-inch, lined
• Medium pot

Ingredients

• 24 saltine crackers or use graham crackers
• 16 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed
• 1 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
• 2-1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Toppings as desired see note 1

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 15×10-inch sheet pan with heavy-duty foil and generously coat with cooking spray. Cover the pan with an even layer of saltine or graham crackers. See note 2 for some tips before you get started.
• In a medium pot, combine the cubed butter and brown sugar. Set the pot over medium-low heat. Resist the urge to raise the temperature, even if it seems slow to start. Stir constantly with a silicone spatula, moving gently in one direction, until the mixture reaches a full boil. Once boiling, stop stirring and let it boil for exactly 3 minutes.
• After 3 minutes, remove the pot from heat and immediately pour the mixture evenly over the crackers. Use a spatula to spread it as needed; it doesn’t have to be perfect, as it will even out during baking.
• Bake for 5 minutes, then very carefully remove pan from oven. Let stand for 2 minutes and sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over crackers. Let rest without touching for 5 minutes. Use a clean offset spatula to gently spread and coax the chocolate into an even layer. If adding toppings, sprinkle on immediately.
• Transfer pan to fridge and let chocolate harden for about 30 minutes, or freeze for 15 minutes. Remove from fridge, lift cracker from foil and break or chop into pieces.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: I love to top these with sprinkles, M&M’s, chopped nuts, and sliced almonds, but you can use any toppings you like!

Note 2:

• Make sure to use a rimmed sheet pan or the toffee will spill all over the oven! Also, take time to line the pan carefully so that washing is easy after.
• Do not increase the heat until the sugar is completely dissolved over medium-low heat. This will take a good amount of time and requires patience.
• Stir steadily and consistently, always stirring in the same direction, at a slow speed. If you whisk or stir too quickly, the toffee will separate.

Nutrition Note: The nutrition information does not include the toppings, as those will vary.

Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving
|
Calories: 181kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 19g
|
Protein: 1g
|
Fat: 12g
|
Saturated Fat: 7g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
|
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
|
Trans Fat: 0.4g
|
Cholesterol: 25mg
|
Sodium: 75mg
|
Potassium: 42mg
|
Fiber: 0.2g
|
Sugar: 13g
|
Vitamin A: 296IU
|
Calcium: 17mg
|
Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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