Description
Christmas Crack is a delightful holiday treat featuring a crispy saltine cracker base topped with buttery toffee, melted chocolate, and crunchy nuts or candies. This easy-to-make dessert is perfect for festive gatherings and gift-giving.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 40-50 saltine crackers
Toffee
- 1 cup salted butter cubed (227g)
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed (200g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 3/4-1 cup chopped toasted pecans or M&M's
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray. Arrange a single layer of saltine crackers side-by-side on the sheet, using a jelly roll pan if possible or creating a foil barrier to contain the toffee.
- Make toffee mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cubed butter and brown sugar. Stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves. When the mixture begins to bubble, boil for 3 minutes while stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour toffee over crackers: Pour the hot toffee evenly over the saltine crackers on the baking sheet. Use a knife to nudge the mixture over any uncovered crackers. The toffee will continue to spread during baking.
- Bake the toffee: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the mixture for 5 minutes, until it is bubbly and caramelized.
- Add chocolate topping: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot toffee. Allow them to sit for 2-3 minutes to melt, then spread evenly using a knife or spatula.
- Sprinkle toppings and set: While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle the chopped toasted pecans or M&M's evenly over the top. Let the candy set at room temperature for 1-2 hours or refrigerate to speed up hardening.
- Serve and store: Once hardened, break the Christmas Crack into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1-2 weeks.
Notes
- Saltine cracker substitutes include graham crackers, Ritz crackers, or crushed pretzels for a different flavor profile.
- To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until fragrant. Alternatively, toast in a skillet on medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Top your Christmas Crack with alternatives like sliced almonds, crushed candy canes, flaky sea salt, holiday sprinkles, chopped Heath bar, toffee bits, or peppermint baking chips for variety.
- For extra decoration, drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the hardened candy to create a festive design.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
