Description
Christmas Crack is a deliciously addictive holiday treat made with a crispy saltine cracker base, buttery brown sugar toffee, and a rich chocolate topping sprinkled with toasted pecans or colorful M&M's. This easy-to-make dessert combines sweet and salty flavors and crunchy and smooth textures, perfect for festive gatherings or gifting 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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange a single layer of saltine crackers side-by-side on the lined sheet. If using a larger pan, fold up the foil edges slightly to create a barrier to keep the toffee from spreading too much.
- 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 as the butter melts and the sugar begins to dissolve and mix well. Once the mixture starts bubbling, boil it for 3 minutes while stirring constantly to avoid burning. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour Toffee Over Crackers: Pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the arranged saltine crackers. Use a knife or spatula to nudge and spread the toffee to cover any uncovered crackers, though it doesn’t have to be perfectly even as it will continue to spread in the oven.
- Bake Toffee Layer: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes until the toffee is bubbly and fully melted into the crackers.
- Add Chocolate Topping: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Let them sit for 2-3 minutes to melt from the residual heat, then spread the melted chocolate smoothly with a knife or spatula to evenly coat the toffee layer.
- Add Nuts or M&M's: While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle your choice of chopped toasted pecans or colorful M&M's evenly over the top as a festive and crunchy finishing touch.
- Set and Serve: Let the Christmas Crack cool and set at room temperature until the chocolate hardens, which usually takes 1-2 hours in a cool room. To speed up the process, you can refrigerate or freeze it. Once set, break or cut into pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy within 1-2 weeks for the best freshness.
Notes
- Saltine Cracker Substitutes: You can substitute saltine crackers with graham crackers, Ritz crackers, or crushed pretzels to add variety to the base texture and flavor.
- Toasting Pecans: Toasting pecans enhances their flavor. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until fragrant, or toast in a skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes with frequent stirring until nutty and slightly darker.
- Topping Ideas: Try sliced almonds, crushed candy canes, flaky salt, colorful holiday sprinkles, chopped Heath bar or toffee bits, or Andes peppermint baking chips instead of pecans or M&M's. Drizzling melted white or dark chocolate on top can add a decorative finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
