The BEST Christmas Crack Recipe (Saltine Cracker Toffee)

Fans of classic holiday treats, meet The BEST Christmas Crack Recipe: a saltine cracker toffee that’s quick, crowd-pleasing, and irresistibly snappy. The name itself promises a crackly crunch with a glossy chocolate finish. This version shines because of its speed, minimal mess, and that perfect sweet-salty balance. It’s a lifesaver for last-minute gifting or party platters. Busy parents and baking beginners will love how easy this Christmas Crack Recipe comes together in minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Crack Recipe

• Super easy to make.
• Requires minimal ingredients (six core).
• Quick prep: ready in 15 minutes.
• No candy thermometer needed.
• Ideal for holiday gifting and parties.

Ingredients

• Saltine crackers: 35 crackers about 1 sleeve; pan size flexible.
• Unsalted butter: 1 cup.
• Brown sugar: 1 cup, well packed.
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon.
• Salt: ½ teaspoon; kosher or sea salt preferred, omit if using salted butter.
• Chocolate chips: 2 cups; milk or semi-sweet work best. For top results, use Guittard or Ghirardelli.

Notes & Substitutions

• Alternative crackers: graham, Club, Ritz.
• Butter: salted works fine; adjust added salt.
• Chocolate: customize sweetness with dark, milk, or semi-sweet.

Instructions

1. Line a jelly roll pan (10 x 15 inches) with nonstick foil (or heavy-duty foil and coat with cooking spray). You can also use a silicone baking mat.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
3. Place the crackers in a single layer on the pan. A few gaps are fine.
4. Melt butter and brown sugar together in a 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
5. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring almost continuously. If using a candy thermometer, aim for about 270°F–290°F. This temperature range is crucial for achieving the desired soft crack stage in candy making, where sugar forms brittle threads that bend before breaking.
6. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and salt.
7. Pour caramel over the crackers and spread evenly.
8. Bake for 5 minutes until bubbling vigorously. If using a thermometer, target 300°F–310°F.
9. Remove from oven; sprinkle chocolate chips over the top and cover with foil. Let stand 5 minutes to melt.
10. Uncover and spread melted chocolate with an offset spatula.
11. Add toppings if desired. Let the toffee set at room temperature, or chill for at least 2 hours.
12. Break or cut into pieces after it’s fully cooled.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Pro Tips:
  • Prep all ingredients and toppings before starting.
  • Use high-quality vanilla for a richer flavor.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan for even spreading.
  • Parchment or nonstick foil makes removal easy.
• Troubleshooting Common Issues:
  • Gritty chocolate: avoid overheating; let the heat of the pan finish melting.
  • Toffee not setting: ensure the caramel boils long enough.
  • Sticking to the pan: ensure nonstick foil or a silicone mat is used.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Serving Suggestions

• Break into irregular shards or cut into squares.
• Arrange on holiday platters or wrap as gifts.

Storage Instructions

• Store in an airtight container.
• Layer with parchment between pieces.
• Refrigerate up to 1 week; freeze up to 4 months.

Recipe Variations & Toppings

• Chocolate: dark, white, or milk chocolate; try peanut butter chips for a twist.
• Nuts: chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, or pistachios.
• Salty additions: crushed pretzels, sea salt flakes.
• Festive additions: sprinkles, M&Ms, crushed candy canes.
• Other crackers: swap in graham crackers or Ritz for a lighter bite.

Nutrition

This Christmas Crack Recipe yields a tasty, shareable treat with simple nutrition to consider before indulging. The following values are approximate per serving (based on 24 pieces).

FAQ

Conclusion

This Christmas Crack Recipe proves that holiday treats can be quick, simple, and spectacular. The crackly toffee, glossy chocolate, and optional toppings come together without fuss, making it easy to share joy with family and friends. Give this recipe a try this season and start a new, delicious family tradition. Ready for a joyful, bite-sized celebration in minutes? Give the Christmas Crack Recipe a go and savor the sparkle.

The BEST Christmas Crack Recipe (Saltine Cracker Toffee)

A simple and addictive holiday treat, Christmas Crack combines a buttery brown sugar toffee with saltine crackers, topped with melted chocolate. It’s easy to make and perfect for sharing during the festive season.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 13 minutes mins

Total Time 23 minutes mins

Servings 24 pieces

Calories 197 kcal

Equipment

• Jelly roll pan (10 x 15 inches)
• Nonstick foil (or heavy duty foil and cooking spray) / Silicone baking mat
• 3 quart heavy bottomed sauce pan
• Candy thermometer (optional)
• offset spatula
• airtight container

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 35 crackers saltine crackers about 1 sleeve, may need a few more or less depending on your jelly roll pan
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar well packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt kosher or sea salt preferred
• 2 cups chocolate chips I used milk chocolate but semi sweet also works. Use Guittard or Ghirardelli for best results.

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Line a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan with nonstick foil, heavy-duty foil coated with cooking spray, or a silicone baking mat.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared jelly roll pan.
• In a 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt brown sugar and butter together over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to boil for 3 full minutes, stirring almost continuously; if using a candy thermometer, aim for 270-290°F.
• Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
• Pour the caramel mixture over the saltines and spread it evenly over the crackers.
• Bake for 5 minutes in the preheated oven until the caramel is bubbling vigorously; if using a candy thermometer, aim for 300-310°F.
• Sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot caramel, cover the pan with foil, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Remove the foil and use an offset spatula to gently spread the melted chocolate evenly.
• Optionally sprinkle on additional toppings, then let the toffee set at room temperature until completely cooled, or chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
• Carefully peel away the foil from the bottom of the toffee, then either use your hands to “crack” it or a knife to cut it into pieces.
• Store the Christmas Crack in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

For best results, use Guittard or Ghirardelli chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.