Description
Christmas Crack, also known as Cracker Toffee, is a delightful holiday treat featuring a crispy saltine cracker base topped with a buttery brown sugar toffee layer and melted chocolate, finished with festive sprinkles. This easy-to-make dessert combines salty and sweet flavors with a satisfying crunchy texture, perfect for holiday parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 40-48 saltine crackers (about 1 1/2 sleeves)
Toffee Topping
- 1 cup butter (salted or unsalted, 2 sticks)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed, dark brown sugar)
Chocolate Layer
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate chips, or white, or combination)
Decorations
- ½ cup sprinkles (or M&M’s, crushed candy canes, or candies of choice)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ to prepare for baking the toffee-covered crackers.
- Prepare the Pan: Line a rimmed 15″×10″ sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray, or alternatively use a nonstick silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Crackers: Place the saltine crackers in a single even layer covering the entire bottom of the pan. Break crackers as needed to fill gaps along the edges.
- Make Toffee Sauce: In a medium pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter and stir in the brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally, then let it cook for 3 minutes until bubbling and amber-colored. Remove from heat promptly.
- Pour Toffee over Crackers: Carefully pour the hot toffee evenly over the saltine crackers. Quickly spread it with a spatula to cover all crackers in the pan.
- Bake the Toffee: Place the tray into the preheated oven and bake for 3-5 minutes until the toffee starts bubbling.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Let them sit for 1-2 minutes to soften.
- Spread Chocolate: Using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate smoothly over the toffee layer. If the chocolate is not melting sufficiently, return the pan to the oven for 1-2 minutes to help melt the chips, then spread.
- Decorate: Sprinkle the top with your choice of sprinkles, M&M’s, crushed candy canes, or other candies while the chocolate is still soft.
- Cool and Set: Allow the toffee to cool completely at room temperature or refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to harden the chocolate and toffee.
- Break into Pieces: Once hardened, flip the tray over to release the toffee from the parchment or foil. Break or cut the toffee into desired-sized pieces.
- Serve and Store: Enjoy your Christmas Crack right away or store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Using dark brown sugar gives a richer flavor, but you can substitute light brown sugar if needed.
- If you want extra crunchy texture, make sure the toffee boils for the full 3 minutes before pouring.
- You can customize the topping with different chocolates or candies according to your preference.
- Ensure even cracker coverage for consistent toffee distribution.
- For easier cleanup, use parchment paper instead of foil.
- Store the crackers in a cool, dry place to maintain crispness.
