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
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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.
Do you use semi-sweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate? 🎄
I typically use semi-sweet chocolate chips but either will work! :)
I love the simplicity of this recipe! It is soooooo good.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I’m planning on making this recipe for gift giving, I usually make peppermint bark but wanna switch it up a little bit this year. How long will this keep? Our last day of school and hubby’s work is Dec. 20th but I’d like to make ahead to lessen my stress levels. Plan is a usual to put in plastic containers to give as gifts.
Sorry I didn’t see your comment earlier. Ours usually lasts 1-2 weeks in an airtight container.
How long does this last for after making it? It’s the 11th today and I would like to make ahead for Boxing Day dinner…
Hi Andrea! I store mine in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for a couple months.
Can I use parchment paper instead of foil and if so, do I need to spray the parchment too?
Hi Leslie! I haven’t tried it with parchment paper but I think that should be fine!
This is the best recipe for Christmas Crack that I’ve ever tasted! My family LOVES it!
Thank you for introducing me to my new obsession! If I do share this, they would make wonderful teacher gifts any time of the year!
I made this last night for a work cookie exchange. It was SUPER easy and DELICIOUS!!! Thanks for this recipe. You had me at “5 Ingredients”. :) I used the red and green M&Ms and also added in some white snowflake sprinkles that I had on hand. It looked great and tasted even better. Recommend this recipe as is!
So glad you enjoyed these! The snowflake sprinkles sound so cute!
My mom always made traditional cookies from hers and my dads side of the family but one year she made these for a snack to try them, we were all instantly in love with it! It was most definantly a perfect combination of sweet and salty and it became a holiday tradition. We always had it for Christmas sometimes for Thanksgiving and a tad bit for snack. I asked my mom to teach me how to make it but shes been busy with her own things, so I took matters into my own hands and found this delecious recipe out! Thank you for savory treat!
I’m so glad you enjoyed these! They are definitely one of my favorite holiday treats!
my kids ate the first batch before I could even get them to the party. the e=second batch was just as delicious! So many loved this I will be making it again.
I’m so glad it was a hit! Thanks for leaving a comment and review Ann! :)
Will they go soggy if I freeze them? Or refrigerate?
They freeze great!
Looks Yummy thanks for tip
Can you tell me where you bought the container you have the toffee in the picture?
Hobby Lobby, I’m sure Michaels would have something similar.
I want to do this next week with granddaughters, But what size cookie sheet is best for the amounts it your recipe? (I have many sizes , don’t want to use too large and then not have enough chocolate to go to the edges😛)
I use a 12 x 17 jelly roll pan!
Can these be made with gluten free crackers ?
I haven’t tried it, but I think that should be fine! :)
do you have to put the chocolate chips on it?
No, you can definitely leave it off! Here is my original recipe for saltine cracker toffee: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/saltine-cracker-toffee/
Looks yummy
Hope you enjoy! :)
I haven’t made this yet but could melted caramel be used in place of the brown sugar and butter?
It would definitely change the recipe and make it less of a toffee, but it would probably taste good!
You do not have to bake it at all . The brown sugar /butter you boiled is hot enough and the chocolate chips will immediately melt when they hit it , spread with butter knife and add nuts on top , put the cookie sheet in fridge for 2-3 hrs till , take out and break the crackers apart . Store in fridge always Mmmmm
Good to know! I’ll have to give that a try!
I made these when my girls were small planned to do them this year