The buttery goodness of Saltine Toffee (aka Christmas Crack) is irresistible. Try it and see how fast it disappears - it's quite addictive! This Christmas Cracker toffee recipe is so simple yet so delicious.
Toffee. One of our all-time favorite indulgences.
The buttery goodness and crunch are melt-in-your-mouth irresistible.
This Traditional Homemade Almond Roca used to be our go-to candy recipe, but we think we have found a new one! This Saltine Toffee is out of this world.
We see why it's often called Christmas Crack. It's highly addictive!
If you love Traditional Christmas Crack, you will also love Peanut Butter Christmas Crack and Cranberry Bliss Christmas Crack, or any of our yummy Christmas Treats!
What is Christmas crack?
Christmas Crack is a holiday tradition that takes ordinary Saltine Crackers (Soda Crackers), covers them in rich caramel, and transforms them into something extraordinary.
It's part brittle, part English Toffee, and incredibly delicious!
If you like traditional Christmas Crack, you'll also love Peanut Butter Christmas Crack and Valentine's Day Crack! If you love white chocolate, try Cranberry Bliss Saltine Toffee.
The hubby is the king of Traditional Toffee or Almond Roca. It's highly sought after. (He shared his top-secret recipe, so you might want to check it out!) He makes it every holiday for his family and co-workers.
This Saltine Cracker Toffee has a slight advance over Almond Roca. It's a little quicker to make than the traditional version, but the taste is phenomenal!
Ingredients
The ingredients for this cracker toffee are simple.
- 4 oz saltine crackers - about 40 crackers or one sleeve.
- 1 cup butter - 2 sticks of unsalted works best.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar - dark or light brown sugar.
- 2 cups chocolate morsels - milk chocolate, dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips works.
- ¾ cup chopped pecans - an optional topping
We like to use our jelly roll pan to make the recipe.
How to make Saltine Toffee Candy
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this dessert with Saltines (Christmas Crack).
We recently added a video (see below), so you can see exactly how we make this fantastic dessert with saltines!
Step 1 - Layer Saltines
This recipe is so simple. In the first step, create one layer of saltine crackers on your pan (with edges) lined with parchment paper or a Silpat mat.
If using parchment, make sure your parchment paper extends past your crackers.
TIP: Don't forget to preheat your oven so it's ready for when the crackers need to be put in!
Step 2 - Make Toffee
Next, combine the sugar and butter in a medium saucepan, stir the butter and sugar together, and bring to a boil for 3 minutes. Let it cook undisturbed, but watch the mixture; it cooks quickly! (A teeny bit longer if at higher elevations.)
This step creates that yummy, buttery Toffee!
Step 3 - Place Toffee On Crackers
Immediately after it's done boiling, spread the hot Toffee on the saltines, evenly coating all the crackers. You can spread it with a spatula if needed.
Step 4 - Bake
Then, place in a 400-degree oven for 5-6 minutes. Once out of the oven, spread the dark chocolate or semi-sweet morsels on top. While spreading the chocolate, it will melt from the heat generated from the oven.
When it's slightly set, sprinkle the nuts over the top!
Cool quickly in the fridge or leave on the counter to cool slowly. Then, break or cut into pieces and enjoy!!
Tip: For the holidays, you can also top it with festive sprinkles.
Here are some ideas to package up your Saltine Toffee as a gift for your teachers!
Saltine toffee with dark or light chocolate
Dark chocolate seems to be more popular in our house currently, so that's how we usually make this recipe. Semi-sweet chocolate also works. So use what you prefer or have on hand.
You really can't go wrong.
Secrets to the best Christmas Crack
- Going the extra step of roasting the pecans is a nice touch and adds a richer flavor. This step doesn't have to be done if you're in a hurry or want to eat as soon as possible.
- Instead of the Saltines, you can use club crackers, soda crackers, or Ritz crackers.
- Semi-sweet, milk chocolate or dark chocolate morsels are good for this Saltine Toffee recipe.
- This stuff is so sticky; use parchment paper or your Silpat to assemble it. (Our Silpat mat is our go-to baking and treat making kitchen item!! You need one of these so your recipes and cookies turn out amazing!)
- To prevent any mishaps, make your parchment paper a little bigger than your assembled crackers. Also, make sure your crackers are placed tightly together.
- Make sure the butter and sugar are truly boiling before you start timing for 3 minutes.
- Because this recipe is made of mostly butter, using high-quality butter yields the perfect flavor.
- If you're at a higher elevation, you may need to cook your caramel a little longer.
Topping ideas
During the holidays, you can try topping your Saltine Toffee Bark with:
- Crushed peppermint, candy canes, or festive sprinkles.
- Walnuts
- Crushed pretzel pieces
- M&Ms or chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
- Sea salt
If you're not a fan of nuts, you can leave them out and keep your chocolate as the topping.
More Sweet Treats
White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies - tart cranberries pair well with white chocolate.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies - two great flavors in one. Mint and chocolate!
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark - wow! Just wow! This candy bark is fantastic!
Easy Crock Pot Candy - chocolate peanut clusters that are perfect for cookie trays or to give as gifts.
English Toffee Bars - a rich buttery shortbread base topped with chocolate and toffee bits.
How to store Christmas Crack Candy
This Saltine Toffee Cracker Candy usually lasts about a week or so if kept in an airtight container on the counter. However, You can freeze it for 2-3 months.
To Freeze Saltine Toffee/Christmas Crack, place it in an airtight container, label it, and date it, and place it in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Saltine Toffee?
For those who like to have a little sweet treat at our convenience, you can freeze this Saltine Toffee.
Just place it on a baking tray after it's cooled and broken into pieces. Flash freeze it (freeze it individually) and then place the frozen pieces in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
It may cause the crackers to turn a little soft, but the flavor is still good.
You can freeze it for up to 3 months.
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We updated this recipe with additional instructions, tips, and a video on 10/25/19.
Saltine Toffee (aka Christmas Crack) Recipe
Equipment
- Jelly roll pan (approximately 11x17 inches)
- parchment paper
- medium pot
- Spatula or cooking spoon
Ingredients
- 4 oz saltine crackers (about 40 crackers or 1 sleeve)
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 cups chocolate morsels (milk chocolate, dark or semi-sweet chocolate works (a 12 ounce bag will work))
- ¾ cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or Silpat mat. Place Saltine crackers on the pan and make sure they touch and the parchment extends past the crackers.
- Combine the sugar and butter in a medium saucepan, stir the butter and sugar together, bring to a boil, then cook for 3 minutes without stirring. (A teeny bit longer if at higher elevations.) Let it cook undisturbed, but watch the mixture; it cooks quickly! Pour immediately over Saltine crackers making sure all the crackers are completely covered.
- Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate morsels over the top. Let sit for 5 minutes. Spread melted chocolate evenly over caramel. Then, top with roasted chopped nuts. Refrigerate toffee for 2 hours. Once set, break into pieces. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
There's no need to put it off. You have to find an excuse to make this Saltine Toffee! (see list above)
You may also like these treats:
Valentine's Day Saltine Toffee
kimberly Metz says
Awesome nothing is better!
Erin Henry says
We totally agree, Kimberly! This Saltine Toffee is one of my favorite holiday treats.
Vicki Johnson says
My Mother-in-law LOVES this stuff, but she is having teeth problems this year ....... Is the toffee layer really hard, or is it semisoft that she could still eat it ? I've never made it, but plan to do it for her if it is something she could eat ....... THANKS
Erin Henry says
We love this recipe too. The caramel toffee layer doesn't get too hard, so I think you may want to try this for your MIL. Let us know how it goes!
ces says
hi what size cookie sheet are you using? thanks
Erin Henry says
We like to use a jelly roll pan since it has edges. Our is approximately 11x17 inches.
Becky says
This is a hit at the ranch so easy to make .
My friends look forward to getting it .every year for the holidays as gifts. I like to mix up the different versions of it as gifts
Erin Henry says
Yes, one of the best homemade gift ideas, Becky! We also like to make different versions for snacking during the holidays.
Natasha says
This is one of our favorite treats during Christmas so I’m glad that I found this recipe. I tried these yesterday and it is so good and easy to make. I’ll definitely make more for giveaways this Christmas. Thank you!
April says
This is one of those super surprising recipes...you know the kind - where you see an ingredient and think there's just no way you can make something work with that. Saltines?! But OMG it's so good...there's a reason why it's called Christmas crack, lol.
Katie says
Looks so good. I know my family would love this! Can't wait to try it.