Christmas Crack Recipe
Christmas Crack is a deliciously addictive holiday treat featuring a crispy saltine cracker base topped with a buttery caramel layer and melted chocolate, finished with festive toppings like M&M’s and pecans. This easy-to-make candy combines sweet, salty, and crunchy elements for a perfect seasonal dessert or gift.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: About 48 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Base
- 35 saltines (about 1 sleeve)
Caramel Topping
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
Additional Toppings
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Crackers: Place the 35 saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they cover the surface evenly.
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a large saucepan, bring 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of packed light brown sugar to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally to create a smooth caramel.
- Add Vanilla and Coat Crackers: Remove the caramel from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Immediately pour the caramel evenly over the saltine crackers, spreading to coat all crackers completely.
- Bake the Caramel Layer: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 5 minutes to allow the caramel to set on the crackers.
- Apply Chocolate Layer: Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips and 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips evenly over the hot caramel layer. Let them sit for 5 minutes to melt.
- Spread Melted Chocolate and Add Toppings: Using an offset spatula, spread the melted chocolate evenly across the caramel. Immediately sprinkle M&M’s candies and chopped pecans on top, gently pressing them into the chocolate so they stick.
- Cool and Set: Allow the pan to cool slightly at room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator for about 1 hour or until the candy hardens completely.
- Serve: Once firm, break the Christmas Crack into pieces. Serve and enjoy this sweet, salty, and crunchy holiday treat!
Notes
- Use an offset spatula to smoothly spread the melted chocolate without breaking the crackers.
- You can substitute pecans with other nuts like walnuts or almonds, or add colorful sprinkles for extra festive flair.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the candy crisp.
- If you prefer a thicker caramel layer, slightly increase the butter and brown sugar, but keep cooking time the same.
- Be cautious when handling the hot caramel to avoid burns.
Keywords: Christmas Crack, Holiday Candy, Saltine Toffee, Caramel Candy, Easy Holiday Treat