With just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes, this Christmas crack recipe is the best sweet and salty treat made with a layer of saltine crackers, sweet toffee and chocolate!
Grandma’s Saltine Cracker Toffee
This delicious Christmas crack is one of my favorite Christmas desserts at the holidays and it only takes about 15 minutes to make, much easier even than my toffee recipe or toffee cookies.
I have shared my grandma’s saltine cracker toffee before and this is a glorified version with chocolate and M&Ms on top. You could also top Christmas candy crack with crushed saltines, sea salt, toasted coconut, slivered almonds, pecans or Heath bits.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Sweet and salty. Two of my favorite flavors come together in this chewy and crunchy saltine cracker candy treat.
- Holiday tradition. Christmas crack toffee is always the first homemade treat to disappear on the cookie plate along with divinity candy and chocolate fudge!
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Saltines: The saltiness of this beloved cracker works perfectly with the caramel and chocolate.
- Butter: I use salted butter to add a salty balance to the sweet. Real butter is key not margarine!
- Brown sugar: The deep flavor brown sugar provides is key to making this toffee really shine.
- Chocolate chips: I use milk chocolate chips to make the melted chocolate layer, but you can opt for white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or even chopped chocolate bar.
- Toppings: I choose red and green M&Ms to keep the candy festive, but nuts, candy canes, toffee bits, pretzels or sprinkles are also really great!
How to Make Christmas Crack
Beware…this candy crack toffee is seriously addicting! You may want to make two batches as it will disappear fast.
- Prepare: Line a pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Then spread saltine crackers out in an even single layer.
- Make the caramel: Boil the brown sugar and butter for 3 minutes.
- Bake: Pour evenly over crackers and bake for 8 minutes.
- Spread: Once it’s done cooking sprinkle chocolate chips on top and let melt. Spread out until smooth and top with M&M’s or nuts. Then try not to eat all in one sitting.
Expert Tips
- Candy thermometer. Though it isn’t necessary, if you are worried about getting the caramel right and avoid chewy Christmas crack, you can use a candy thermometer to make sure it reaches a temperature of 270°F to 290°F.
- Pan size. A large jelly roll pan works best for this recipe, but any type of large, rimmed baking sheet will work.
- Prevent separation. If your caramel layer has cooled down when adding the chocolate, it will separate into layers. Ensure the caramel is still warm.
- Melting chocolate chips. If your chocolate doesn’t melt once you place it on the caramel layer, place back in the oven for a few minutes just until they start to melt.
Christmas Crack Flavor Variations
This Christmas crack is so versatile and can be modified so many different ways! Below are a few of my favorite ways to make it.
- Peppermint graham cracker: Graham crackers with white chocolate and crushed candy canes.
- Chocolate Ritz Christmas crack: Ritz crackers with chocolate and sliced almonds.
- White chocolate pretzel: Pretzels crisps with white chocolate and Rudolph candies or sprinkles.
- Graham cracker toffee: Graham crackers with chocolate and chopped almonds.
- Vanilla: If you would like to add vanilla extract to the caramel layer it would add even more depth of flavor to the brown sugar.
Storage
- Room temperature storage: Store saltine cracker candy in an airtight container at on the counter for about a week. Just ensure your house isn’t too hot or the chocolate will start to melt.
- In the refrigerator: If your house is warm, store Christmas crack in the refrigerator for up two weeks. If you live in a colder climate, you could also just keep it in the garage or covered porch!
- Freeze: Break into pieces and store in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag in the freezer up to 3 months. Place parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick.
More classic holiday cookie recipes include my soft molasses cookies, traditional Christmas sugar cookies and peanut butter blossoms.
More Holiday Candy Recipes
Browse all
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Christmas Crack Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 48 saltine crackers , 1 1/2 sleeves
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter , cubed
- 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ – 1 cup M&M’s , or chopped nuts or sliced almonds
Optional toppings: m&ms, sprinkles, chopped nuts or sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large jelly roll pan (15×10) with parchment paper or foil (spray foil with non stick spray).
- Line the bottom of the pan evenly with 48 saltine crackers. You may need a break a few on the sides to fill in the gaps.
- In a medium pot, combine 2 sticks butter and 1 cup sugar over medium-low heat. Stirring occasionally, bring to a rolling boil and cook 3 minutes, or until bubbling and amber in color. Remove pan from heat and pour evenly over saltine crackers. Spread brown sugar mixture quickly with a spatula.
- Bake 8 minutes (caramel should be bubbling). Remove pan from oven and sprinkle 2 cups chocolate chips evenly over the top and let sit until chocolate chips are shiny (you can turn off oven and place inside for 30-60 seconds to speed up, but don't leave in long or it will burn). Remove and let sit a minute. Once the chips are soft, spread evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle desired toppings over the top and place in the freezer 15 minutes, or until hardened.
- Let sit 15 minutes on the counter. Flip over onto a cutting board and remove the foil. Break into pieces.
Notes
- Use ritz or graham crackers as the base
- Use a white chocolate or drizzle white chocolate over the top of the chocolate
- Add chopped nuts
- Add sprinkles for holidays or color
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Candy + Fudge, Chocolate, Christmas, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, Nut-Free, Reader Favorites, Sheet Pan, Stovetop, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Delish!
It’s a wonderful and successful treat. Thank you.
Even though the recipe calls for butter,Has anyone used margarine and does it work.
I haven’t tried, but let us know if you test it out :)
I used dairy free spread and it works
This is my first time to make this and it is phenomenal! I followed your recipe, word for word, and it turned out perfect:)
I made this without using a candy thermometer and it came out perfectly! The only thing I found is that a jelly roll pan doesn’t accommodate 50 saltines – only one sleeve. I topped with M& M’s, Heath bar crumbles and crushed peppermint in 1/3 sections. Easy and delicious!
I’m not sure what I did wrong- the butter and sugar started separating and got watery once the mixture started to boil- not sure if that’s normal? I went ahead with it anyway and it tasted great although it was a little grainy. I can’t wait to try this again!
I’m glad it still tasted good! My guess is that you didn’t get the mixture hot enough or cook long enough. Next time try cooking an additional minute or so.
I have used several different recipes for this and this one is by far the simplest and the best of them all.
So glad to hear that! Thanks for your review! We love this Christmas crack!
So easy. I added some mini marshmallows this time to half the batch, along with dark chocolate chips. They all softened and melted and swirled together and it was GOOD. Just took a risk since I had some on hand.
Made it 3 times within 5 days. Super good.
What size baking sheet is a jelly roll pan? I’ve never used one before as I’m really not much of a baker at all 🙂
I’m using a 13×18 inch pan :)
I made this for the first time and it’s delicious! But my sugar and butter part is still sticky and pliable. What did h do wrong? Do I need to simmer it longer or bake it longer?
I would try simmering a little longer. Just be careful not to burn. If they’re still soft, you can put back in the oven and bake a little longer.
Just made this tonight and it’s a new Christmas hit! My hubby loved it and he’s quite picky about his chocolate treats! Can’t wait to share it…well maybe I’ll share! 😂❤️
So hard to share!! 🤣
I made this and it was delicious
❤️ Delicious and so simple to make! I love that you can top this any way you’d like! ❤️
So glad you enjoyed the Christmas crack!!
This will be my 3rd year making this. Easy and delicious. Less messy to make than other holiday treats.
So glad they were a hit! Thanks for your review :)
Amazing! I didn’t have M&M’s. Used heath bar crumb candy + slivered almonds and sprinkled with sea salt. Yum! Thank you.
Yumm
This is so easy and soooo delicious!!! Make it every year!
Ah I’m so glad to hear! Thanks for your review :)
I love this recipe but have problems cutting it and it ends up looking horrible. I use hammer any suggestions on other methods. Thanks so much
Hi Debbie! You should be able to crack it with your hands (I simply just hold a piece and break). If it’s too hard, I may suggest taking it out of the oven a couple minutes sooner, since every oven cooks so differently.