There is a reason why this recipe is called Christmas Crack! This addictive chocolate and cracker toffee is so yummy and easy to make!
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Ingredients for Christmas Crack Recipe
This recipe is so indulgent it’s reserved for once a year around here! I remember the first time I tried it my husband brought it home from an office potluck. It was so good! I assumed it took hours to make and required a candy thermometer (which for some reason I’ve always been terrified of)! After doing some research, I discovered this deliciousness was called Christmas Crack made from plain old saltine crackers? What? The ingredients are basic and no candy thermometer required! Yay! For this Christmas Crack Recipe you will need:
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Crackers (I used a pretzel crackers)
- Chocolate Chips
- Optional: Sprinkles, Chopped Nuts
Tools for making Christmas Crack
- Jelly Roll Pan
- Parchment Paper or Foil Wrap
- Medium Saucepan
- Whisk
If you are thinking of adding this Christmas Crack to your holiday baking list or cookie exchange, you may also like my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe!
How to Make Christmas Crack
The hardest part about making this recipe is probably just making the toffee. It’s not difficult but you do need to stay by the stove and stir occasionally and watch it. After the toffee is ready it comes together quickly. You also need to factor in a 30 minute chill time, 15 minutes if your freezer is large enough to fit the jelly roll pan.
1. Line a Jelly Roll Pan with parchment paper or foil sprayed with non-stick spray.
2. Arrange Crackers in a single layer to fill pan.
3. Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil over medium heat and cook for about 3 minutes until a golden brown and thick consistency.
4. Pour toffee carefully and evenly over pan of crackers. Bake for 7 minutes in 325 degree oven.
5. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over pan and allow to melt naturally or return to the oven for 3 minutes. Use an offset spatula to evenly spread melted chocolate over pan.
6. Add any desired toppings (I used these adorable Grinch’s Heart sprinkles for my boys on half and pecans on the other half for my husband and I ).
7. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes or the freezer for 15 minutes to allow chocolate to set.
8. Cut in squares or simply crack or break into pieces and enjoy!
Christmas Crack Variations
Here are a few ideas you can experiment with for different bases:
- Graham crackers
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Ritz crackers
You can also try different variations of toppings (different nuts, m&m’s etc…)
Can you make a healthy version of Christmas Crack?
Christmas crack is definitely what I call a treat, which is why I usually only make it for Christmas. There are some tweaks that you can make to make it a bit healthier but I wouldn’t call it healthy…sorry. If you are looking for a guilt-free treat, check out my healthy donuts! They are so good and satisfying! Here are a few ingredients you can use to healthify this Christmas Crack:
- Grassfed Butter
- Coconut Sugar
- Gluten-Free or whole Grain Crackers
- Good Quality Dark Chocolate
- Healthy Toppings like nuts, seeds, toasted coconut, dried fruit.
How long can you keep Christmas Crack?
I think if you are making it for gifts you should gift it as close to when you make it as possible as it stays it’s freshest for about a week (but it won’t last that long)! It can also be frozen for 1 -2 months but I don’t recommend it. It’s so easy to make, I would say make it fresh and enjoy!
How to Package for Gifts
My favorite way to gift Christmas Crack is tied with bakers twine in a cello bag with a pretty label! You can also crack it and put it in cute glass jars tied with raffia or in a festive bakery box (be sure to line the box and separate layers with parchment paper!
This is such a fun DIY gift for the person who has everything or that you just want to spoil, with a once a year treat! I always love the expression of a person who has never had Christmas Crack before…it’s priceless! Check out my Gift Guide for more mindful gift ideas!
I hope you love this holiday recipe as much as my family does! I find it hilarious when the boys offer “crack” to our guests and say “you have to try it, you won’t be able to stop eating it!” Tell me in the comments if you’ve ever had Christmas Crack and what your favorite variations are! xo Charlotte
Christmas Crack Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 box Keebler Flipsides Crackers *You could also use 40-50 Saltine Crackers.
- 1/4 cup Sprinkles
- 1/2 cup Pecans (chopped)
- 2 cups Chocolate Chips * I used half dark chocolate and half semi sweet.
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
- Line a Jelly Roll Pan with parchment paper or foil sprayed with non-stick spray.
- Arrange Crackers in a single layer to fill pan.
- Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil over medium heat and cook for about 3 minutes until a golden brown and thick consistency.
- Pour toffee carefully and evenly over pan of crackers. Bake for 7 minutes in 325 degree oven.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over pan and allow to melt naturally or return to the oven for 3 minutes. Use an offset spatula to evenly spread melted chocolate over pan.
- Add any desired toppings (I used these adorable Grinch’s Heart sprinkles for my boys on half and pecans on the other half for my husband and I ).
- Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes or the freezer for 15 minutes to allow chocolate to set.
- Cut in squares or simply crack or break into pieces and enjoy!
I have never had Christmas crack, but his looks so good!!! I’m going to try this for our next Christmas party. I bet my boys would love helping with adding the toppings! So fun and festive 🙂
Yay! I can’t wait to hear about how you and the boys enjoy it!!! xo