Get ready for a holiday treat that’s downright addictive with this Easy Christmas Crack recipe! Sweet, salty, and infused with irresistible chocolate and peppermint flavors, this snack is guaranteed to disappear in no time. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, it’s perfect for whipping up ahead of time for holiday parties, movie nights, or even as a delicious homemade gift.
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Why We Love This Christmas Crack Recipe
We grew up eating crack candy recipes like Halloween crack candy and s’mores graham cracker toffee bars. While they’re all delicious, we always looked forward to Christmas crack the most! Today, it remains a huge hit in our homes, and our kids look forward to it just like we did and honestly still do. Here are just a few reasons why we love this Christmas crack recipe:
- It’s sweet, salty, and chocolatey to satisfy all your cravings.
- You can prepare it in minutes.
- It’s great to make ahead of time and perfect for gifting.
- With simple ingredients, it’s a budget-friendly treat that couldn’t be more festive!
Why Is It Called Christmas Crack?
The exact origins of the name aren’t exactly clear. A common thought is that it is called Christmas crack because of the crack the toffee-like candy makes when it is bitten into. However, another theory is that it is so delicious, that it’s as addicting as crack. While insensitive, we can confirm that this is true, and this recipe will leave you coming back for more!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the great things about this recipe is that it requires just a handful of simple, budget-friendly ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Butter – This is used to create the caramel, toffee-like layer and add a rich flavor.
- Brown Sugar – Combined with the butter for a sweet taste.
- Vanilla Extract – Used to enhance the sweet and salty flavors.
- Saltine Crackers – Easily found at your local grocery store, these form the base of the candy and create the crunchy texture and salty flavor we love.
- Chocolate Chips – We love to use dark chocolate chips for a bolder, mint chocolate flavor, but semi-sweet varieties work great, too!
- Oreos – Regular chocolate Oreos are crushed up and sprinkled on top for extra flavor and crunch. If you want, you could experiment with different flavored Oreos, too!
- Candy Canes – Like the Oreos, these are crumbled up and sprinkled on top for a refreshing taste, extra crunch, and a pretty presentation.
How to Make Christmas Crack
If you’re looking for a fun holiday recipe to make with the whole family, look no further!
- Prepare. To begin, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and arrange the crackers in a single layer on top.
- Create the Toffee Layer. Melt the butter, and combine it with the brown sugar over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, and let it boil until it is thick, making sure to stir constantly. Then, stir in the vanilla.
- Bake. Pour the mixture over the crackers, and use a rubber spatula to spread it out evenly. Bake until the mixture is brown and bubbly.
- Layer. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top while the crackers are still hot. Once melted, spread the chocolate out evenly, and sprinkle the Oreos and candy canes on top.
- Cool. Transfer the baking sheet to the fridge to cool until the chocolate has set. Once hardened, break the candy into pieces, and enjoy!
Flavor Variations and Topping Ideas
Christmas crack is super fun to make because as long as you’ve got the base, you really can’t go wrong! For instance, some of our favorite variations and toppings include:
- Swapping out the Saltines for Ritz crackers or any similar crunchy crackers.
- Using semi-sweet or white chocolate instead of dark, or adding an extra melted drizzle on top.
- Adding extra toppings like chopped nuts, unsweetened coconut flakes, crushed pretzels, candy pieces, or dried fruit on top.
- Make this Christmas crack extra festive with holiday sprinkles.
- Replacing the chocolate layer with a melted peanut butter or Nutella layer instead.
How to Store
This recipe never lasts long. However, if you happen to have leftovers or want to make it ahead of time to wrap up as a gift, it can be stored in a sealable bag or airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Or, pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Christmas Crack Recipe Common Questions
No. If your recipe turns out chewy, there are several common reasons that might have been why. First, make sure your crackers are fresh! Second, be sure to let your toffee layer boil and thicken. This is what allows it to harden and become crunchy. Third, be sure to let your candy cool completely. If any of the layers are still soft or warm, it will not be crunchy when you take a bite.
Sure! Just swap out the butter with a dairy-free option, and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
To make sure your Christmas crack recipe stays intact, be sure to work quickly, and layer the chocolate before the toffee cools. Then, allow the chocolate to melt completely, and smooth it out in an even layer. If they won’t melt, pop the baking sheet in the oven for a minute or two before spreading the chocolate out.
More Tasty Holiday Treats
Searching for more recipes perfect for celebrating the season? We’ve got you covered!
- Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Slow Cooker Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Slow Cooker Puppy Chow
- Indoor S’mores Board
Easy Christmas Crack
Ingredients
- 1.5 sleeves Saltine crackers approximately 50 crackers
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed Oreos
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a 13×18 baking sheet with aluminum foil. Arrange the saltine crackers on top in a single layer.1.5 sleeves Saltine crackers
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, and boil for 2-3 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Add the vanilla extract, and stir to combine.2 sticks unsalted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the butter and sugar mixture over the saltines, and use a rubber spatula to spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 4-5 minutes or until the sauce is brown and bubbly.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and sprinkle the chocolate on top. Let it sit for 5 minutes or until melted, and use the spatula to spread it over the crackers in an even layer. Sprinkle the crushed Oreos and candy canes on top.10 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, ½ cup crushed Oreos, ¼ cup crushed candy canes
- Transfer the baking sheet to the fridge to cool for 1-2 hours or until the chocolate has hardened. NOTE: Do not put the candy in the freezer as the ingredients will separate.
- Break the candy into pieces, and enjoy!
- Storage: Leftover cracker candy will stay fresh in an airtight container or sealable bag in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi. My cookie sheet measures 10×15. Will that be a problem?
Lynn
That should work! You may need to add a few more crackers.
Hi! Wondering if you think I can use graham crackers as base + sea salt on top instead? Idk if baked graham crackers will have same crunch factor/base stability as saltines – let me know your thoughts 🙂
Absolutely! We’ve made this S’mores Graham Cracker Toffee Bars with graham crackers! It definitely works and it’s delicious too!