Description

Christmas Crack is a classic holiday treat that perfectly balances sweet, salty, and buttery flavors. Made with simple pantry ingredients like saltine crackers, butter, brown sugar, and chocolate chips, this irresistible toffee dessert is a favorite at Christmas gatherings. The crisp saltines provide the perfect crunch while the rich toffee and smooth chocolate melt together to create a delicious candy-like texture. Whether you’re hosting a party or packaging homemade gifts, this easy recipe is a holiday essential that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

40 saltine crackers (1 sleeve)
1 cup salted butter (2 sticks)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12-ounce bag milk chocolate chips
Nuts or sprinkles (for topping)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 10×15-inch rimmed baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil, or use regular foil sprayed generously with nonstick cooking spray.
Arrange 40 saltine crackers evenly across the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they fit snugly without overlapping.
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a boil, then continue stirring for about two minutes until it becomes bubbly and thickened.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Carefully pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the saltine crackers, using a spatula to spread it out if necessary.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 6 minutes until the toffee is bubbling and slightly darkened.
Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee layer.
Allow the chocolate to sit for a couple of minutes to soften, then spread it evenly over the surface using a spatula.
Add your desired toppings, such as chopped nuts, festive sprinkles, or crushed candy canes, for added flavor and decoration.
Let the Christmas Crack cool completely before breaking it into bite-sized pieces. For faster setting, place the tray in the refrigerator until firm.

Notes

Serve Christmas Crack once it has cooled completely and been broken into bite-sized pieces. It’s perfect for holiday dessert platters, gifting in festive tins, or pairing with hot chocolate or coffee. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. For a firmer texture, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. If you want to prepare ahead, store pieces in the freezer in a sealed, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To prevent sticking, layer parchment paper between pieces. When ready to enjoy, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.