Christmas cookies are often hailed as the crown jewels of holiday baking, but I’ve found that handmade sweets, especially candy, play an equally cherished role in Christmas traditions. From my own experience, Christmas parties are as much about the desserts as they are about the festive decorations and crafts. Each year, I love bringing a few special treats that capture the spirit of the season.
One of my go-to recipes is Christmas Crack. It’s so simple to make that I usually whip up two batches: one to package up as thoughtful gifts and the other to share at our family gatherings. Nothing brings everyone together like a sweet, indulgent treat!
Old-Fashioned Christmas Cracker Toffee
This Christmas Crack recipe has become one of my favorite treats to make from scratch. It’s incredibly delicious, and the best part? It’s budget-friendly. The saltine crackers form a surprisingly delightful, shortbread-like crust, and the homemade caramel toffee, made with simple butter and sugar, pairs beautifully with semi-sweet chocolate.
What I find fascinating about toffee, along with its candy cousins like caramel and peanut brittle, is how they’re all crafted with just a few basic ingredients, mainly butter and brown sugar. Although they share similar components, each candy is cooked to specific temperatures, giving them their unique textures. Heating sugar to the right level is an art. As it boils, it first transforms into a soft ball stage, and as the temperature rises, it gains that iconic toffee crunch. It’s the little science of cooking that makes these holiday candies so special and gives them their irresistible texture.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
There’s something magical about this Christmas Crack recipe that keeps it a favorite every holiday season. First, it’s incredibly easy to make, requiring only a handful of ingredients you likely already have on hand. The combination of salty and sweet flavors is absolutely addictive, and the mix of crunchy cracker base with rich caramel toffee and creamy chocolate on top is an unbeatable texture.
This recipe is also perfect for gifting. Make a batch, break it into pieces, and package it in festive bags or tins for a budget-friendly treat everyone will love. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe that you can easily adapt with different toppings like crushed nuts, sprinkles, or even a drizzle of white chocolate. Whether for family gatherings or as homemade gifts, this Christmas Crack will quickly become a cherished holiday tradition!
How to Serve Christmas Crack
When making this cracker candy for holiday parties, I like to serve the cracker toffee bars in tins and in cupcake liners. Cupcake liners work great to contain different shaped treats that may be delicate or flavors you don’t want to mix with other treats. It also helps to create perfect portion bite-size samples so everyone can try it without overindulging.
Edible gifting is really a popular tradition. Giving food as gifts has been around a long time. In fact, when I was young, our family would stock up on caramel corn and flavored popcorn tins and they were given as gourmet gifts to neighbors, friends, coworkers, teachers, and long-distance relatives. Even more, my nana would use the best ingredients like real butter instead of margarine for the special Christmas Day celebration. While these surprise popcorn tins are making a comeback, making your own homemade assorted candies and cookies is much more preferred today. Every year, I have friends and family lining up waiting for my Christmas-crafted treats. Truth is, I haven’t even begun to crack the list.
Christmas Crack Toppings
Get creative with your Christmas Crack by adding a variety of fun and festive toppings! Here are some of my favorite ideas to take this treat to the next level:
- Sprinkles: Add a pop of color with festive sprinkles to make each piece extra cheerful.
- Oreos or Crushed Cookies: For added crunch and sweetness, sprinkle crushed Oreos or other favorite cookies on top.
- Candy Canes: Crushed candy canes bring a classic peppermint twist perfect for the holiday season.
- Heath Bites: Add these bits for an extra layer of caramelized, nutty flavor.
- Mini Marshmallows: Give it a gooey twist by sprinkling mini marshmallows on top before the chocolate sets.
- Andes Chocolate Mints (Baking Bits): For a minty kick, sprinkle Andes baking bits for a cool, refreshing taste.
- Caramel Candy Popcorn: Add a sweet and salty crunch with caramel-coated popcorn.
- Dried Fruits like Cherries and Apricots: For a fruity balance, top with dried cherries, apricots, or your favorite dried fruits.
- Glazed Dried Fruits: Try classic fruitcake toppings like glazed cherries for a traditional holiday look.
- M&M’s: Festive M&M’s add color and a bit of chocolate crunch.
- Frozen Rolos, Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers, or Milky Ways: Chop up these candies and sprinkle them on top for a decadent finish that melts slightly into the chocolate layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Christmas Crack, and why is it called that?
Christmas Crack is a holiday treat made with a base of saltine crackers topped with caramel toffee and melted chocolate. The name comes from how addictively delicious it is. Once you start, it’s hard to stop eating it! The “crack” also refers to how it cracks into pieces once cooled and set.
Can I make Christmas Crack ahead of time?
Yes! Christmas Crack can be made a few days in advance and stored in an airtight container. It actually tastes even better after a day as the flavors have time to meld.
How do I store Christmas Crack, and how long does it last?
Store Christmas Crack in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you prefer it cold, you can refrigerate it for up to two weeks, but make sure it’s sealed well to avoid moisture.
Can I freeze Christmas Crack?
Absolutely! Christmas Crack freezes well. Place pieces in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. It will last up to three months in the freezer. Just let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
Why did my caramel turn grainy?
Grainy caramel is usually a result of undissolved sugar crystals. To prevent this, stir the butter and sugar mixture constantly and avoid scraping the sides of the pan while cooking. Cooking on medium heat and using fresh, high-quality butter can also help.
Can I use different crackers?
Yes, while saltine crackers are traditional, you can use other types of crackers like graham crackers or Ritz for a slightly different flavor and texture. Just keep in mind that saltines give that unique salty-sweet contrast.
What kind of chocolate works best for Christmas Crack?
Semi-sweet or dark chocolate is ideal because it balances the sweetness of the toffee. Milk chocolate can also work but will make the treat slightly sweeter. You can also experiment with white chocolate or a combination of chocolates.
How do I prevent the chocolate from melting or getting sticky?
Once the chocolate is melted on top, place the Christmas Crack in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set. Keep it stored in a cool place, or refrigerate if your home is warm.
Other Swanky Christmas Recipes
- Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
- Sugar Cookie Cutouts
- Reese’s Hideaway Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies
- Russian Tea Cakes.
- Peanut Butter Buckeye Truffles,
- Christmas Corn Flake Wreaths
- Cranberry Orange Glazed Bread
- Raspberry Ribbon Cookies
- Checkerboard Cookies Recipe
- 15 Most Popular Christmas Cookie Recipes
Christmas Crack (Best Saltine Cracker Toffee Candy)
Ingredients
- 40 saltine crackers
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ tbsp Christmas sprinkles
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or heath bits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Spray very well with cooking spray. Line saltine crackers into rows and columns.
- In a medium saucepan, bring butter and brown sugar to boil for 3 minutes.
- Very slowly and lightly drizzle the hot caramel toffee over the crackers while spreading it across the crackers.
- Place in oven for 5 minutes.
- Microwave chocolate chips in the microwave on power level 3 for 7 minutes. Don't use a silicone spatula to stir it as this can be a common source of moisture that will ruin the chocolate. TIP: If you use Ghirardelli chocolate chips (do not use nestle), you can take the sheet pan out of the oven and sprinkle it with chocolate chips then return to oven for 3-5 and smooth it.
- Immediately sprinkle melted chocolate with sprinkles, chopped nuts like pecans or almonds, or other cake toppings like toffee bits, I like to sprinkle the top with a little sea salt.TIP: You can customize the topping and create different flavors divided by sections. As an example, use crushed oreos on ¼ the top, use pecans on ¼ the top, use peppermint bark or candy canes on ¼ the top, and use sprinkles on ¼ the top.
- Allow chocolate to cool for several hours or overnight.
- Cut or break Christmas candy into pieces.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate and it’s accuracy is not guaranteed to be exact.
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