This recipe is one of my favorite things to make during the holidays. With it being so quick and easy to make, it’s a great way to have a nice sweet treat during this busy season without much trouble.
As the name suggests, this treat is very delicious and hard to resist munching on. But, if you have any leftovers, place the pieces into a plastic bag and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks or up to three months in the freezer. Though, good luck resisting the urge to eat them.
Similar to last weeks, one thing that I like about this recipe is how quick and easy it is. It’s super simple but super delicious. I also like how modular it is. You can easily substitute ingredients if you have other cracker types laying around. And you can easily modify the toppings to anything you would like.
But regardless of what crackers you use, this addictive treat will be a popular way to celebrate Christmas– or any time of the year!
Ingredients:
- ~60 saltine crackers (or other cracker such as Ritz or Club cracker) (A sleeve and a half; enough to cover 9×13 pan)
- 2 sticks of butter
- 1 cup of packed brown sugar
- 1 10oz bag of chocolate chips (I recommend dark)
- Topping(s) of Choice (optional):
- Candy canes
- M&Ms
- Chopped pecans
- Red and green tree sprinkles
Step 1: Preheat Oven to 400°F; Melt Butter & Mix w/ Brown Sugar
First, preheat your oven to 400°F. Then, while we wait, we’ll prepare the toffee. In a medium saucepan, place the butter and brown sugar and let that melt.
Step 2: Prepare the Saltine/Cracker Base on Sheet Pan
While we wait for that, we’ll prepare the saltine base. On a sheet pan lined with foil or parchment paper, spray some non-stick spray or oil and then place your crackers in a single layer.
Step 3: Mix Together Butter & Brown Sugar; Bring to a Boil; & Let it Simmer for 3 Minutes
Next, the butter should’ve melted by now, so stir the brown sugar into the butter to keep it from burning. Let the mixture come to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture starts to boil, leave it alone and let it boil for 3 minutes. It shouldn’t stick, so don’t worry about stirring it.
Step 4: Prepare any Toppings (Crush Candy Canes, Nuts, etc.)
While we wait, we’ll prepare the candy cane topping. In a bag, place your candy canes, and with a heavy object like a rolling pin, smack them into small pieces. Prepare any other toppings at this time as well (if needed).
Step 5: Spread Toffee Evenly over Crackers & Bake in Oven for 3-5 Minutes
Then, when your toffee is ready, give it a little mix and pour it over your prepared crackers. Make sure to spread your toffee evenly over the crackers. The oven should be done preheating by now, so once your toffee crackers are ready, place them into the oven and bake it for 3-5 minutes or until it is bubbling.
Step 6: Place Chocolate Chips onto Toffee & Spread Melted Chocolate Evenly Over Toffee
Once it’s ready, take it out of the oven and quickly scatter the whole bag of chocolate chips onto it. The heat of the toffee should be enough to melt the chips, but if not, place it back into the oven for a minute or so.
Once the chips turn glossy, it should be ready to spread. With a spatula, spread the chocolate evenly over the toffee crackers. I recommend using dark chocolate chips since the toffee is very sweet on its own but you could use other types as well, if you want.
Step 7: Add Toppings Before Chocolate Coating & Let it Cool
Once your chocolate coating is evenly spread, before it starts to harden, place your toppings evenly on the chocolate. Don’t be shy with your toppings. Make sure that every part is covered to your liking.
When you’re done topping your chocolate coating, let everything cool in the refrigerator. But if your fridge is full like mine and since it’s the season, you can also cool it by leaving it outside.
Step 8: Crack Chocolate Toffee into Pieces & Enjoy!
Once the chocolate has completely hardened, break your candy into pieces. If you properly greased your pan, the toffee should easily separate from the foil, but if not, just try to carefully peel it off while making your pieces. And with that, your Christmas Crack is ready to eat.