Description
Christmas Crack is a festive, easy-to-make dessert featuring salty saltine crackers topped with buttery toffee, melted chocolate, and your choice of crunchy toppings like toasted pecans or colorful M&M's. This sweet and salty treat is perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.
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 with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Arrange a single layer of saltine crackers side-by-side in the pan, creating a full base. If your pan is larger, fold up the foil edges slightly to prevent toffee from spreading too much.
- Make toffee mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cubed butter and packed brown sugar. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the butter melts and the mixture starts to bubble. Once bubbling, set a timer for 3 minutes and continue stirring constantly to ensure it doesn't burn. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour toffee over crackers: Evenly pour the hot toffee mixture over the arranged crackers. Use a knife to nudge the toffee over any uncovered crackers, but it does not need to be perfect as it will spread more during baking.
- Bake toffee: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes until the toffee is bubbly and set.
- Apply chocolate and toppings: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee layer. Let them sit for 2-3 minutes to melt from the residual heat, then spread the melted chocolate evenly with a knife or spatula. While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle with chopped toasted pecans or M&M's.
- Cool and serve: Allow the toffee to set at room temperature until the chocolate hardens, about 1-2 hours. For faster setting, place in the refrigerator or freezer. Once set, break or cut into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.
Notes
- Saltine cracker substitutes include graham crackers, Ritz crackers, or crushed pretzels for a different flavor profile.
- Toasting pecans enhances their flavor; toast in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes or on stovetop over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Try alternative toppings such as sliced almonds, crushed candy canes, flaky sea salt, holiday sprinkles, chopped toffee bits, or peppermint baking chips.
- You can also drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the top for a decorative finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (about 1/25th of batch)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 200 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: 25 mg
