There's something magical about transforming humble saltine crackers into a buttery, chocolate-covered toffee that has earned its nickname "Christmas Crack." This simple yet addictive saltine cracker toffee combines the perfect balance of sweet and salty, with a satisfying crunch that keeps you coming back for more. Best of all? It takes just minutes to prepare and requires only a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Saltine cracker toffee is a four-ingredient candy recipe that is easy to make with saltine crackers, butter, brown sugar, and chocolate chips and baked quickly before being broken into pieces.
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What is in Christmas Crack?
The ingredients for this old-fashioned cracker toffee are simple and most likely in your pantry already. That is what makes these so dangerous.
Doesn't everyone have this on hand any day of the week when you have a hankering for toffee.
- Saltine crackers - The crackers that come in a white sleeve in a square box. These can be name brands or store brands of saltines. Use your favorite crackers.
- Butter - You can't make toffee without butter. Real stick butter, not margarine for this recipe.
- Brown sugar - Light brown sugar is the best for this recipe, but dark brown sugar can work for this toffee recipe too.
- chocolate chips - A chocolate-covered candy can't happen without chocolate chips.
How to Make Saltine Cracker Toffee aka Christmas Crack?
To make this Christmas Crack, start by melting two sticks of butter with one cup of brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Let meltdown and boil over low heat for five minutes.
While the caramel mixture boils, arrange four saltine crackers on an aluminum foil-lined jelly-roll pan. Be sure to spray cooking spray over the aluminum foil before laying the crackers down.
Then pour the caramel mixture over top of the crackers.
Then bake the toffee covered crackers for4-5 minutes at 425 degrees until the caramel mixture is bubbly.
Once you pull the pan of bubbly toffee crackers out of the oven, sprinkle a bag of chocolate chips or two cups of chocolate chips over the crackers.
Once the chips have begun melting, spread them out over the top of all the crackers.
I popped the pan in the fridge to speed up the hardening process. Once the chocolate is hard to the touch, break apart with your hand. The process is easy peasy. This is is why this candy recipe is so great. Oh that and this saltine toffee is so dang good people call it Christmas Crack
When the toffee is hard, break the pieces will break into random shapes in sizes. Then give it all away. Trust me. Don't make this unless you have a dozen people to share with immediately.
Storage Tips
Store your toffee in an airtight container, with wax paper between layers if stacking. It will keep at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Make It Your Own
While the classic version is irresistible, don't be afraid to experiment:
- Try dark or white chocolate instead of semi-sweet
- Add crushed pecans, almonds, or pistachios
- Sprinkle with toffee bits or mini M&Ms
- Drizzle with melted peanut butter chips
- Add a touch of flaky sea salt for extra crunch
Perfect for Gifting
Package pieces in cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon, or layer in pretty tins for perfect holiday gifts. Just be sure to make extra – once word gets out about your homemade toffee, everyone will want some!
Remember, this treat comes with a warning: it's called "Christmas Crack" for a reason. One piece is never enough, and you might find yourself making batch after batch throughout the holiday season. But hey, that's what New Year's resolutions are for, right?
Top Recipe Tips
- Watch the butter-sugar mixture carefully while boiling – it can burn quickly!
- For best results, use fresh, high-quality butter and chocolate
- Don't skip lining your pan – cleanup will be a nightmare
- Allow toffee to come to room temperature before storing in containers
Quick Sweet and Salty Snack Recipes
๐ Recipe
Saltine Cracker Toffee
Ingredients
- 40 saltine crackers
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips or 1 12-ounce bag
Instructions
- In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar together and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes.
- Lay 40 saltine crackers out on a greased aluminum lined jelly roll pan. Pour the caramel mixture over the crackers, covering them evenly.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 4 to 5 minutes, or until just bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and pour the chocolate chips over the crackers. When the chips melt a bit, spread them over the crackers.
- Chill the entire pan in the fridge or freezer till chocolate is hard. Break up into pieces by hand creating variously sized and shaped pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
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Cris
I did not need to see this... That is dangerously simple and convenient!
Stephanie
I wish I didn't have all the ingredients at home right now.. This is so dangerous! >_<
Beth (A Mom's Life)
I love salty and sweet and I think this is simple enough that I could make it with the kids! Thanks for sharing!
Ruth
I have made this for a Christmas cookie exchange. It is so yummy. I got lost of complements. The recipe I used included Toffee Bits sprinkled on top of melted chocolate. I made some with and without.
Thank you so much for the great recipe reminder!!