This Easy Christmas Crack Recipe is a sweet, salty holiday treat made with crispy saltine crackers, buttery toffee and melted chocolate. Finished with festive sprinkles, it’s a crunchy, irresistible candy that comes together in just minutes.
A staple on cookie trays and dessert tables, this treat is as simple as it is addictive. The combination of caramelized brown sugar, chocolate and a salty crunch makes it the perfect recipe for gifting, snacking or bringing to holiday parties.
Simple holiday candies never go out of style. Add our Crockpot Candy and Keto Candied Pecans to your dessert table this season.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Sweet and Salty Perfection: Every bite has the perfect balance of buttery toffee and melted chocolate.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with just five pantry staples and no candy thermometer required.
- Quick to Make: Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep time.
- Perfect for Gifting: Break into pieces, bag up and share with friends or family.
- Holiday Favorite: A crowd-pleasing treat that’s become a Christmas classic.
Ingredients
This Christmas crack recipe uses a few simple ingredients to create layers of buttery toffee and rich chocolate.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Saltine Crackers: Provide the salty, crispy base that balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Forms the base of the caramel layer and adds rich flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Melts with the butter to create a buttery toffee coating.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melt into a smooth chocolate layer that hardens as it cools.
All you need is a 13x17 baking sheet, aluminum foil, saucepan and an offset spatula for this simple candy recipe.
Variations
- Dark Chocolate: Use dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate for a richer flavor.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: Swirl melted white chocolate on top for a decorative finish.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or almonds before the chocolate sets.
- Cracker Swap: Try using Ritz or graham crackers for a buttery variation.
- Peppermint Twist: Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a holiday peppermint flavor.
How to Make Easy Christmas Crack
Look at how simple it is to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 350F and line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and set aside.
Arrange crackers side by side on prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
Over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar together. Bring to a boil for about 10 minutes, stirring periodically (too much stirring can cause the caramel to separate).
Pour and evenly spread caramel over crackers (work quickly here, it will harden quickly), then bake for 8-10 minutes (or until it starts to gentle bubble.
Once you remove the sheet from oven sprinkle chocolate chips over top. Once it starts to look melty (about 2 minutes), spread it evenly over the caramel using an offset spatula.
Top with any sprinkles as desired (or not).
Let set at room temperature or refrigerate for 2 hours, then break into pieces.
Hint: Be sure to boil for the time suggested to ensure the caramel will set correctly without overcooking it.
Recipe Tips
- Caramel Temperature: If you are not using a candy thermometer, look for the visual cues in the color, it should be a deep golden but not brown. If you are using one, 270-290F is where you want to be and you can move on to the next step.
- Spread Quickly: The toffee hardens fast, so work quickly to cover all crackers evenly.
- Watch the Oven: Keep an eye during baking, you just want it to bubble, not burn.
- Melt the Chocolate Gently: Let the residual heat soften the chips before spreading.
- Break Once Set: Wait until fully cooled to get those perfect shards of toffee crunch.
Another classic dessert you have to make during the holidays is our Christmas Pretzel Treats.
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Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Refrigerator: Keeps well for up to 2 weeks. The cold helps maintain the structure and hard texture.
- Freezer: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Holiday Dessert Trays: Pair with our Peppermint Cookies, Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars or Peppermint Brownies.
- Gift Ideas: Wrap in clear bags tied with ribbon for teachers, neighbors or coworkers.
- Party Snacks: Serve alongside Crockpot Hot Chocolate, Eggnog Espresso Martini or a Caramel Mocha.
Easy Christmas Crack Recipe FAQs
Because it’s so deliciously addictive! The combination of sweet, salty and crunchy makes it hard to stop at one piece.
While you can use one, if you boil the butter and sugar mixture until it is a rich golden color (about 8 minutes) it will be perfect. If you do use one you can cook it until between 270-290F.
It was likely boiled too long, at too high heat or it was stirred too often. Stir periodically to ensure it does not stick; there is enough butter it shouldn’t!
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Easy Christmas Crack Recipe
Equipment
- 13x17 Baking Sheet
- Aluminum Foil
- Heavy Bottom Saucepan
- Offset Spatula
Ingredients
- 48 saltine crackers salted
- 3 sticks butter unsalted
- 300 grams light brown sugar about 1 ½ cups, packed
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Christmas sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and set aside.
- Arrange crackers side by side on prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar together. Bring to a boil for about 10 minutes, stirring periodically (too much stirring can cause the caramel to separate).
- Pour and evenly spread caramel over crackers (work quickly here, it will harden quickly), then bake for 8-10 minutes (or until it starts to gentle bubble.
- Once you remove the sheet from oven sprinkle chocolate chips over top. Once it starts to look melty (about 2 minutes), spread it evenly over the caramel using an offset spatula.
- Top with any sprinkles as desired (or not).
- Let set at room temperature or refrigerate for 2 hours, then break into pieces.
Notes
- Caramel Temperature: If you are not using a candy thermometer, look for the visual cues in the color, it should be a deep golden but not brown. If you are using one, 270-290F is where you want to be and you can move on to the next step.
- Boil Properly: Be sure to boil for the time suggested to ensure the caramel will set correctly without overcooking it.
- Spread Quickly: The toffee hardens fast, so work quickly to cover all crackers evenly.
- Watch the Oven: Keep an eye during baking, you just want it to bubble, not burn.
- Melt the Chocolate Gently: Let the residual heat soften the chips before spreading.
- Break Once Set: Wait until fully cooled to get those perfect shards of toffee crunch.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
Leanne says
Oh my goodness, this was so yummy! And the best part it was straightforward to make. Thanks for this great recipe.
Eva Filer says
My pleasure, it is a good one. We love it. Very hard to stop eating! Happy you enjoyed it Leanne!
Duck says
DO YOU BOIL THE BUTTER AND BROWN SUGAR FOR 3 MINS OR 10 MINS????
Eva Filer says
Hello Duck, it is 10 minutes, but always look for the visual clues if you are not using a candy thermometer, since all stovetops can run a little different. The color should be a nice deep golden, if it starts to look like it is transitioning to brown it will be too long. If you do have a candy thermometer, between 270-290F is where you want to be. Happy baking!
Misty Tannery says
I love this recipe! I just can't stop grabbing bites!
Eva Filer says
It really is a tough one to stay away from. I have to pop it in the freezer as soon as it cools! Thanks for the review.
Stephanie says
This stuff is so amazing when I make it, it does not last long in our house!
Eva Filer says
Same! So glad you enjoy it!
Therese says
Can't wait to try this!
Eva Filer says
I hope you enjoy it!
Eva Filer says
It probably goes without saying that this recipe is SO addicting. It is hard to stop eating it. The salty/sweet plus crunch combo is incredible!