Christmas Crack: The Holiday Treat Everyone Falls in Love With
One bite of this festive treat, and it’ll be gone before you know it!
Let me tell you a little secret: there’s one holiday recipe that I always make every year. It’s a treat so good, so addictive, that my family has come to expect it as part of our holiday traditions. I’m talking about Christmas Crack. With just a few ingredients, this treat combines sweet, salty, buttery, and chocolatey flavors—all in one bite. It’s easy to make, quick to put together, and the best part? Everyone loves it.
If you’re looking for a treat that feels special but doesn’t take hours to bake, Christmas Crack is your answer. I love making it for holiday parties or wrapping it up in small gift bags for friends and neighbors. And trust me, this recipe goes fast. You might even want to make a double batch!
So, grab your ingredients, and let’s dive in. I’ll guide you through each step and share some tips to make sure your Christmas Crack comes out perfectly every time.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark, whichever you prefer)
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers (about 40 crackers, or enough to cover a baking sheet)
- 2 cups chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate works)
- Optional toppings: Chopped pecans, sprinkles, mini M&Ms, or crushed candy canes
Instructions
Step 1:
- Line a Baking Sheet: Start by lining a baking sheet with foil. Make sure the foil goes up and over the edges, as it makes cleanup a breeze. Christmas Crack can get pretty sticky!
- Layer the Saltines: Spread out your saltine crackers in a single layer across the pan. They’ll form the crunchy base for the toffee and chocolate layers.
Lay the Saltines out in a single layer. Don’t worry if some of the edges overlap.
Step 2: Make the Toffee
- Melt the Butter and Sugar: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar and stir until it’s fully combined.
- Boil the Mixture: Keep stirring until the mixture starts to bubble. Once it’s bubbling, let it cook for about 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should thicken slightly and take on a deep caramel color.
- Pour Over the Crackers: Carefully pour the hot toffee over the layer of crackers, spreading it out with a spatula to cover as much as you can.
Pour the toffee evenly over the Saltines, covering as much as possible.
Step 3: Bake
- Bake the Toffee-Coated Crackers: Pop the baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about 8–10 minutes. Watch closely! When the toffee is bubbly and slightly darker, it’s ready to go.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate
- Sprinkle on Chocolate Chips: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot toffee. The heat from the toffee will start to melt the chocolate.
- Spread the Chocolate: After a minute, use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate over the toffee, creating a smooth chocolate layer.
Smooth the chocolate over the toffee to create an even layer.
Step 5: Add Your Favorite Toppings
- Choose Your Toppings: While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle on your toppings. I usually add chopped nuts and festive red and green sprinkles, but M&Ms and crushed candy canes are also fun options!
- Press Down (Optional): For chunkier toppings like nuts, gently press them into the chocolate so they stick.
Adding toppings makes this treat look as festive as it tastes.
Step 6: Cool and Break Apart
- Cool Completely: Let the pan cool on the counter for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to the fridge to set for 30 minutes. This helps the chocolate harden.
- Break Into Pieces: Once it’s fully set, lift the foil from the pan and break the Christmas Crack into pieces. I love the rustic look of the jagged edges!
Tips to Make It Perfect
- Watch the Toffee Carefully: It can burn quickly once it starts bubbling, so keep an eye on it in the oven.
- Experiment with Toppings: I’ve tried so many combinations—crushed pretzels, mini marshmallows, dried cranberries. Each batch has a little bit of personality!
- Storage: Christmas Crack keeps well at room temperature in an airtight container for about a week. You can also freeze it for up to a month if you want to make it ahead.
Wrapping It Up
And there you have it! This Christmas Crack recipe is so simple, but it always feels like a special treat. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or sneaking pieces straight from the fridge (I won’t judge!), it’s sure to add a bit of sweetness to your holiday season. I hope you enjoy making this as much as I do—happy holidays, and happy snacking! 😊
