Description
This Best Easy Christmas Crack recipe features a delightful combination of salty saltine crackers layered with buttery toffee and rich melted chocolate, finished with an optional sprinkle of sea salt for a perfect sweet and salty holiday treat. Quick to prepare and perfect for gifting or festive snacking, this crunchy, chewy confection is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Saltine Cracker Base
- 40 saltine crackers
Toffee Layer
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with non-stick spray. Arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer so that the pan is fully covered.
- Make Toffee Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the unsalted butter and brown sugar. Stir continuously and bring the mixture to a boil. Allow it to bubble for 3 minutes while stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add Vanilla and Pour Toffee: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Immediately pour the hot toffee evenly over the saltine crackers and spread it out with a spatula to coat all crackers thoroughly.
- Bake Toffee-Covered Crackers: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes, or until the toffee mixture is bubbling over the crackers, indicating proper caramelization.
- Add and Melt Chocolate: Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee layer. Let the chips sit for 1–2 minutes to soften, then spread the melted chocolate evenly across the toffee layer using a spatula.
- Optional Sea Salt Topping: While the chocolate is still warm and melted, sprinkle the optional sea salt evenly over the top for a balanced sweet and salty flavor.
- Cool and Set: Allow the tray to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for 1–2 hours or until the candy is fully set and firm.
- Break and Serve: Once firm, break the Christmas Crack into bite-sized pieces and serve immediately or store in an airtight container for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Be sure to stir the toffee constantly to prevent burning during bubbling.
- Use parchment paper or foil to make for easy cleanup and candy removal.
- The optional sea salt enhances the sweet and salty flavor balance but can be omitted if preferred.
- Store leftover Christmas Crack in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated for up to one week.
- For a festive twist, you can add crushed peppermint or chopped nuts on top of the chocolate before it sets.
