A super easy and delicious sweet and salty Christmas Crack Candy Recipe with layers of crackers, toffee, and chocolate. It takes less than 20 minutes to make this highly addictive candy! Dress it up to fit the occasion with sprinkles, pecans, walnuts, toasted coconut, pretzels, or M&Ms. This delicious candy makes great holiday gifts and a tasty addition to your holiday cookies.
How to make Christmas Crack
First, line a jelly roll pan or baking sheet with aluminum foil. Grease the foil with vegetable shortening. Arrange the saltines side by side in a single layer on the baking sheet. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar, stirring frequently. Bring the brown sugar mixture to a boil and boil for 3 minutes while stirring about every minute for 10-20 seconds slowly and gently. It is best to use a candy thermometer, and the ideal temperature to reach is between 270°-290°F. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. It will bubble up, so be careful.
Now carefully pour the caramel mixture over the crackers spreading with an offset spatula. Bake in a preheated 400° oven for 5 minutes. When you take it out the toffee mixture will be bubbling on top of the crackers. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top and let them soften and melt for about 5 minutes. You can speed up the process by placing the baking sheet in the warm oven for 1-2 minutes. Use an offset spatula to spread the melted chocolate. Top with sprinkles or chopped nuts. Let the candy sit on the counter for a few minutes to cool, and then pop it in the fridge or freezer until it is hard. Break or cut it into pieces.
Helpful Recipe Tips
- The caramel for this recipe gets very hot. Please be very careful not to get it on you.
- Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil, parchment paper, or a silicone mat.
- It is best to invest in a candy thermometer. They are relatively inexpensive, and they take the guesswork out of making candy.
- For optimal flavor, use good quality chocolate chips like Guittard or Ghirardelli. Stay away from Ghirardelli white chocolate chips, as they do not work well with this recipe. They are more difficult to melt.
- Peanut butter chips, milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips also work well in this recipe.
- You can simply break this candy with your hands or use a knife and a cutting board to cut it into more uniform pieces.
- Personalize this Christmas Crack Recipe with various toppings. Just make sure to add them right after spreading the melted chocolate. See below for topping ideas.
- You can substitute the saltine crackers with Ritz crackers, Club crackers, or graham crackers.
- Store the candy in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.
- To freeze this candy, first make sure it is cooled and set. Then, store it in a sturdy freezer container. Freeze for up to 2 months. It is also delicious frozen.
Toppings for Christmas Cracker Candy
- Sprinkles
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Crushed Oreos
- Pistachios
- Macadamia nuts
- Crushed graham crackers
- Toasted coconut
- Pretzels
- M&Ms
- Crushed candy canes
- Almonds
More candy recipes to try!
Christmas Crack Recipe
Ingredients
- 35-45 saltine crackers about 1 sleeve
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar light or dark
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Sprinkles optional
- Chopped pecans or walnuts optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a jelly roll pan or baking sheet with aluminum foil. Grease the foil with vegetable shortening or nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the saltines side by side in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat melt the butter and brown sugar stirring frequently. Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 3 minutes while stirring about every minute for 10-20 seconds slowly and gently. It is best to use a candy thermometer and the ideal temperature to reach is between 270°-290°F. Remove from the heat and stir in the salt and the vanilla. It will bubble up so be careful.
- Carefully pour the toffee mixture over the crackers spreading with an offset spatula. Bake for 5 minutes. When you take it out the toffee mixture will be bubbling on top of the crackers.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top and let them soften and melt for about 5 minutes. You can speed up the process by placing the baking sheet in the warm oven for 1-2 minutes. Use an offset spatula to spread the melted chocolate.
- Top with sprinkles or chopped nuts. Let the candy sit on the counter for a few minutes to cool and then pop it in the freezer until it is hard. Break it with your hands or cut it into pieces with a sharp knife and a cutting board.
Notes
- The toffee for this recipe gets very hot. Please be very careful not to get it on you.
- It is best to invest in a candy thermometer. They are relatively inexpensive and they take the guesswork out of making candy.
- Use good quality chocolate chips like Guittard or Ghirardelli. Stay away from Ghirardelli white chocolate chips as they do not work well with this recipe. They are more difficult to melt.
- You can simply break this candy with your hands or use a knife and a cutting board to cut it into more uniform pieces.
- You can personalize it with many types of toppings. Just make sure to add them right after spreading the melted chocolate. See below for topping ideas.
- Store the candy in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.
- To freeze this candy first make sure it is cooled and set. Then store it in a sturdy freezer container. Freeze for up to 2 months. It is also delicious frozen.
Nutrition
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Kim
This looks like the perfect homemade gift to give this year. I better get shopping though, because I plan on making a LOT of it!
Tayler
I love this Christmas crack! I can’t wait to make it again to add to our cookie trays this year!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tayler! So glad that you like it!
Gen
I just love this combo of salty and sweet! I’ll be making these all holiday season long. Thank you!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Gen!
Catalina
Oh my goodness! I can’t wait till Christmas! I want this right now!
Sandra McCollum
Ohh! One of my favorites! Can’t wait to try this!
Erin
Looks totally irresistible! You had me on this!