Okay, friend, come on in! The kitchen might be a little messy – I’m testing out a new frosting recipe for a cake, but I promise the smell is amazing. Today, we’re tackling a holiday favorite, a total classic: Christmas Cracker Candy. I’ve been making this since I was a kid, standing on a stool next to my grandma, mesmerized as she poured the bubbling caramel over those salty crackers. Seriously, the magic that happens when saltines meet caramel and chocolate? Unbeatable.
It’s funny, because my first attempt at Christmas Cracker Candy was a total disaster. I burned the caramel so badly the smoke alarm went off, and my mom had to open all the windows in the middle of December! Lesson learned: low and slow is the way to go. Now, it’s practically foolproof, even on busy weeknights. I can throw it together while helping the kids with homework and trying to remember if I paid the water bill. It’s THAT easy!
This Christmas Cracker Candy recipe has become a true family tradition. Every year, the kids ask for it, and it wouldn’t feel like Christmas without a plate of this sweet and salty goodness gracing our table. It’s right up there with decorating the tree and watching “Elf” for the tenth time. You know, it’s funny, even though there are so many holiday candy recipes to choose from, like these Candy Corn Pretzel Bites I made last year, everyone always gravitates towards the Christmas Cracker Candy. Maybe it’s the simplicity, or the way the flavors just explode in your mouth.
My cooking philosophy is all about creating delicious, approachable food that brings people together. And this Christmas Cracker Candy? It does exactly that. So, grab your apron, and let’s get started. I promise, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make this addictive treat! I know you’ll find that my recipe for Christmas Cracker Candy is easier to follow than some of the others out there.
What You’ll Need for This Christmas Cracker Candy
Alright, let’s gather our ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of this irresistible Christmas Cracker Candy:
- 40-45 Saltine Crackers: I always use the regular, plain saltines. Some people prefer the unsalted ones, but honestly, the salty-sweet combination is what makes this Christmas Cracker Candy so divine.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted butter in my baking. It allows you to control the saltiness of the recipe. When making Christmas Cracker Candy, you can find a great deal for butter at Costco!
- 1 cup Packed Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar works equally well in this Christmas Cracker Candy recipe. I tend to use light brown sugar because that’s usually what I have on hand.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: This enhances the flavor of the caramel. Don’t skip it! I am a big believer in splurging on good quality vanilla extract. It makes a difference.
- 12 ounces Chocolate Chips: Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or even dark chocolate – it’s your call! I am partial to semi-sweet chocolate for my Christmas Cracker Candy.
- Optional Toppings: Sprinkles, chopped nuts, crushed peppermint candies, sea salt – get creative! For a festive flair, you can try using red and green sprinkles for your Christmas Cracker Candy.
Here’s a Christmas Cracker Candy trick I learned from my grandma: make sure your butter is at room temperature before you start. It helps it melt more evenly and prevents the caramel from separating. You know, if you’re short on time, you can even melt the butter in the microwave – just be careful not to burn it! This will save you precious minutes when you are trying to whip up this holiday candy.
As for cost-saving tips, keep an eye out for sales on chocolate chips around the holidays. You can often find them at great prices. Leftover chocolate chips can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to two years. And remember, even slightly stale chocolate chips work great in this saltine cracker dessert because they are covered in caramel anyway!
Let’s Make This Christmas Cracker Candy Together
Okay, friend, let’s get cooking! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of delicious Christmas Cracker Candy in no time.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). I learned the hard way with Christmas Cracker Candy that preheating is KEY! Don’t skip this step, or your crackers won’t crisp up properly.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper is your best friend when making this recipe. It prevents the Christmas Cracker Candy from sticking to the pan.
- Arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they’re close together, but not overlapping. In my kitchen, Christmas Cracker Candy usually takes about 40-45 crackers to cover my baking sheet.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. I learned the hard way that you cannot walk away from this step!
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Be careful, the caramel will be very hot!
- Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the saltine crackers. Use a spatula to spread it out and make sure all the crackers are coated. Don’t worry if your Christmas Cracker Candy doesn’t look perfect at this stage. It will all come together in the oven!
- Bake for 5-7 minutes. The caramel should be bubbly and golden brown. Your Christmas Cracker Candy should smell like sweet, buttery caramel – pure heaven! While the Christmas Cracker Candy is cooking, I usually tidy up the kitchen or start prepping the toppings.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot caramel. Let the chocolate chips sit for a minute or two to soften.
- Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel. You can use a spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle with your favorite toppings. I love using sprinkles, chopped nuts, or crushed peppermint candies. Get creative! For a twist on this classic, try drizzling melted white chocolate over your Christmas Crack.
- Let the Christmas Cracker Candy cool completely. This usually takes about an hour. Once it’s cool, break it into pieces and enjoy! Pro-tip: I learned a secret from the internet that if you pop the Christmas Cracker Candy into the freezer it will firm up and break into pieces easier and faster.
If you love this recipe, you may want to try my Candy Corn Poke Cake. It is another holiday favorite that will become a family tradition!
How I Love to Serve This Christmas Cracker Candy
My family loves this Christmas Cracker Candy when I serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream and the warm, crunchy candy are a match made in heaven! It’s also delicious on its own, of course. This Christmas Cracker Candy is perfect for holiday parties, potlucks, or just a cozy night in with the family. I always make a big batch to share with friends and neighbors.
For presentation, I like to arrange the Christmas Cracker Candy on a pretty platter and sprinkle it with extra toppings. You can also package it up in cellophane bags and tie them with ribbon for a festive gift. My kids love to help me with this part! If you have extra Christmas Cracker Candy, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Though, let’s be real, it never lasts that long in my house!
For a seasonal variation, try using peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips for a peanut butter cup version. So good! Another fun idea is to drizzle melted white chocolate over the saltine toffee and sprinkle it with crushed candy canes for a festive look. My friends always ask for this Christmas Cracker Candy recipe whenever I make it. It’s always a hit! Serve it alongside a mug of hot cocoa or a cup of coffee for the perfect holiday treat. This recipe is so popular you can even search for The BEST Christmas Crack Recipe (Saltine Cracker Toffee) – Mom … online if you want to see a different take!
Your Christmas Cracker Candy Questions Answered
Okay, let’s tackle some common questions about making Christmas Cracker Candy.
- My caramel is burning. What am I doing wrong? You know what I do when my Christmas Cracker Candy starts burning? Reduce the heat! Make sure you’re cooking the caramel over medium heat, not high heat. Stir constantly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- My caramel is separating. How can I fix it? This usually happens when the butter and sugar aren’t fully combined. Try adding a tablespoon of water to the saucepan and stirring vigorously until the mixture comes back together. I learned this trick from my grandma, and it works like a charm!
- Can I use different types of crackers? You can try using graham crackers or Ritz crackers, but honestly, saltines are the best for this recipe. The saltiness of the crackers complements the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate perfectly.
- Can I use different types of chocolate? Absolutely! Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate – it’s all good. Experiment and find your favorite combination. Some of my blog readers have even used peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips!
- How do I store leftover Christmas Cracker Candy? Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you live in a warm climate, you may want to store it in the refrigerator to prevent the chocolate from melting.
- Can I freeze Christmas Cracker Candy? Yes, you can! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.
- My chocolate isn’t melting smoothly. What should I do? You know what I do when my chocolate isn’t melting? Add a teaspoon of coconut oil. The oil will help the chocolate melt smoother and give it a beautiful shine. My family loves when I make this Christmas Crack!
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings and variations. That’s what cooking is all about! Check out this Easy Saltine Cracker Candy (Christmas Crack Toffee Bark) recipe for other fun topping ideas.
My Final Thoughts on This Christmas Cracker Candy
This Christmas Cracker Candy recipe holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my grandma and all the wonderful holiday memories we shared. It’s a simple recipe, but it’s packed with flavor and nostalgia. I hope it becomes a tradition in your family too!
- Don’t overbake the caramel: Overbaking will result in a hard, brittle candy.
- Use high-quality chocolate: The better the chocolate, the better the candy.
- Get creative with the toppings: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and textures.
- Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cracker Candy: Use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
- Peppermint Christmas Cracker Candy: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the toffee and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
- Sea Salt Christmas Cracker Candy: Sprinkle the finished candy with a pinch of sea salt for a sweet and salty treat. You could even make a Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole for a savory treat to eat alongside!
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Christmas Cracker Candy
This Christmas Cracker Candy is a sweet and salty treat that’s incredibly easy to make! Saltine crackers are topped with caramel and chocolate for a festive holiday dessert.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 pieces
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: sprinkles, chopped nuts, or sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar together over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the saltine crackers.
- Bake for 5-6 minutes, or until the caramel is bubbly.
- Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot caramel. Let sit for a minute or two to soften.
- Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel layer.
- Sprinkle with optional toppings like sprinkles, chopped nuts, or sea salt.
- Let cool completely until the chocolate is set. Break into pieces and enjoy!
Notes
For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.