Description
Christmas Crack is a simple and addictive holiday treat made with saltine crackers, buttery brown sugar toffee, melted chocolate, and crunchy pecans or festive toppings, perfect for sharing during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 40-50 saltine crackers
Toffee
- 1 cup salted butter cubed (227g)
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed (200g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 3/4-1 cup chopped toasted pecans or M&M's
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet or jelly roll pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Arrange a single layer of saltine crackers side-by-side on the prepared pan.
- Make Toffee Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cubed salted butter and packed light brown sugar. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the butter melts and the sugar starts to dissolve. When the mixture begins to bubble, set a timer and let it boil for 3 minutes while stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour Toffee Over Crackers: Immediately pour the hot toffee evenly over the arranged saltine crackers in the pan. Use a knife to gently nudge the mixture over any uncovered crackers, ensuring as much coverage as possible.
- Bake Toffee: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes until the toffee is bubbly and caramelized.
- Add Chocolate Topping: Remove the pan from the oven and quickly sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Let them sit for 2-3 minutes to melt with the residual heat, then spread the melted chocolate evenly using a knife or spatula.
- Top with Pecans: While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle the chopped toasted pecans or M&M's evenly over the top for crunch and added flavor.
- Set and Serve: Allow the Christmas Crack to set at room temperature until the chocolate hardens, usually 1-2 hours. To speed up setting, place in the refrigerator or freezer. Once firm, break or cut into pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Saltine cracker substitutes include graham crackers, Ritz crackers, or crushed pretzels to create a different flavor and texture base.
- To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until fragrant, or toast in a skillet over medium heat while stirring frequently for 4-5 minutes.
- Alternative toppings include sliced almonds, crushed candy canes, Maldon flaky salt, holiday sprinkles, chopped Heath bar, toffee bits, Andes peppermint baking chips, or drizzles of white or dark chocolate for decorative flair.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
