Christmas Crack

Christmas Crack is an irresistible Saltine toffee treat that’s hard to beat!

Crunchy, salty, chocolatey, and sweet, this holiday treat keeps you coming back for more. Put some on your Christmas cookie platter and watch them disappear. 

‘Tis the season for sharing. And what better way to get into the spirit than with this festive Christmas Crack. 

Best part? You only need six simple ingredients to make it.  

Plus, it’s oh-so-tasty and easy to make in large batches. So there’s plenty to go around.

Pass some out as gifts and make some for the family. Christmas crack is a fun treat that will please everybody! 

Christmas Crack

There’s a reason it’s called Christmas crack. This stuff is addicting! 

It’s a festive holiday candy featuring Saltines, toffee, and melted chocolate. And you get to top it with the goodies of your choice. 

I’m partial to M&S’s with pecans myself. The extra nibble of chocolate and nuts adds another layer of sugary, crunchy goodness. It’s the best!

But add anything you fancy. Holiday sprinkles, mini white chocolate chips, crushed candy, walnuts, and desiccated coconut are fantastic options! 

Unlike some other Christmas candies, this confection is easy to make. So it’s a great one for letting the kids get involved. 

The hardest part is the wait. It needs to chill for about an hour to harden.

In the meantime, put on some holiday tunes, make hot chocolate, and enjoy the wait!

Ingredients

You can make this irresistible treat with less than 10 ingredients. Here’s what you need:

• Saltine Crackers- These crackers are the secret to giving this treat its texture and structure. It also adds a complementary salty contrast. 

• Butter- Melt this with light brown sugar to make the toffee. 

• Light Brown Sugar- A key component for making the homemade toffee layer. Also, pack the sugar when you measure.

• Vanilla Extract- You only need a few drops for the toffee.

• Chocolate Chips- Use both semisweet and milk chocolate for a balanced richness. 

• Toppings- Sprinkle M&M’s and pecans on top for the finishing touch. 

How to Make Christmas Crack

You don’t need any special equipment to make Christmas crack. Not even a candy thermometer! #whew

You only need a baking sheet, foil, a saucepan, and a spatula. 

Gather all those items, then follow these steps:

1. Prep. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Layer the crackers. Arrange the crackers on the baking sheet in a single layer.

3. Make the toffee. Bring the butter and brown sugar to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.

4. Add vanilla and pour. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Immediately pour the mixture over the crackers. Be sure to spread the mixture evenly.

5. Bake. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven.

6. Add the topping. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crackers. Let them sit for 5 minutes, then spread the chocolate with an offset spatula. 

Top with toppings of your choice. Lightly press the toppings into the chocolate. 

7. Chill and serve. Let it cool a little. Transfer it to the fridge for 1 hour or until it hardens. Then break it into pieces and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Christmas Crack

Christmas crack is a fun treat to make that’s pretty easy. Still, I’ve learned a thing or two over the years. 

So here’s some tips:

• Line the baking sheet with foil. Anytime toffee gets involved, things can get sticky. For an easier cleanup, line your baking sheet in foil. Also, spray it with cooking spray so the candy doesn’t stick.

• Keep a close eye on your toffee. It’s easy for the toffee to turn gritty or burn. To avoid this, don’t scrape the crystalized sugar off the sides of the pot. Also, watch your heat and be sure to stir. It must boil long enough so it can set. 

• Let it chill for an hour. I know it’s hard, but it’s an important step. The candy needs to sit in the fridge to harden. Otherwise, it doesn’t crack right when you go to break it up.

• Is your chocolate having trouble melting? Plop the chocolate chips into the microwave for a few seconds. It’s also imperative to add the chocolate chips at the right time. So add them immediately when you take the cracker toffee layer out of the oven. 

• Use the right pan for the job. A jelly roll pan or baking sheet is ideal. You want it big enough to arrange a sleeve of crackers in a single layer.

Flavor Variations

There are a bunch of ways to customize this treat. Here are a few ideas:

• Substitute the light brown sugar for dark. It will give the toffee a deeper, richer flavor.

• Have fun with the toppings! Try different things. Holiday sprinkles would look so festive. Shredded or desiccated makes it look like snow. You can even try other nuts.  

• Use different crackers. Not a big fan of Saltines? Not a problem! You can use other crackers like Ritz or graham crackers. Even pretzel shapes will be great. 

• Make it a little saltier. Add a coarse finishing salt like sea salt on top. The play on sweet and salty is delicious!

• Experiment with chocolate. You don’t have to stick to just milk and semisweet chocolate. You can use dark, white, or even mint if you like. 

How to Store 

Not only is Christmas crack make-ahead friendly, but it stores well. I make a double batch to have some to eat and some to freeze!

Single or double batch, make as much as you like.

Then follow this advice for short and long-term storage:

• Counter. Transfer the candy to an airtight container. Store it at room temperature, away from direct heat or sunlight. Consume within 4 to 5 days.

• Refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last for about 2 weeks.

• Freezer. Store it in a freezer-friendly airtight container with parchment paper between each layer. Then label and freeze. Enjoy within 1 month.