Saltine Cracker Candy (Christmas Crack) Recipe
Saltine Cracker Candy, also known as Christmas Crack, is a delightful holiday treat featuring crunchy saltine crackers topped with buttery caramel and a rich melted chocolate layer. Perfect for festive gatherings or as a sweet gift, this easy-to-make candy combines salty and sweet flavors with a crisp texture that melts in your mouth.
- Author: reem
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cracker Base
- 40 saltine crackers (1 package)
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 cups chocolate chips (about 1 package)
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, then spray the paper and sides with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Crackers: Place the 40 saltine crackers in a single layer on the baking sheet. You can break them in half if needed to fill the entire surface evenly.
- Melt Butter: In a small pot over medium-high heat, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
- Add Brown Sugar and Boil: Stir in 1 cup of brown sugar into the melted butter. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 3 minutes without stirring unless necessary to prevent burning. The caramel will become bubbly and thick once the sugar dissolves fully. Use a timer for accuracy.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Remove the pot from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to add depth of flavor to the caramel sauce.
- Pour Caramel over Crackers: Use a large spatula to evenly spread the hot caramel sauce over the layer of saltine crackers, ensuring each cracker is coated.
- Bake Caramel and Crackers: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle 2 cups of chocolate chips evenly over the warm caramel layer. Return the pan to the warm oven (oven off) for 30 to 60 seconds to melt the chocolate chips gently.
- Spread Melted Chocolate: Remove the pan from the oven and use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate smoothly over the caramel, covering all cracker edges. Let cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 3 to 4 hours until fully set.
- Cut and Serve: Once chilled, carefully lift the cracker candy from the baking sheet using the parchment or foil. Since the toffee is sticky, it may break apart. Place it on a cutting board and slice into squares or break into pieces as preferred. Serve and enjoy this deliciously addictive treat!
Notes
- Spraying the baking sheet with non-stick spray is crucial to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Boiling the caramel for the full 3 minutes ensures proper thickening and a perfect toffee texture.
- If the chocolate does not melt fully in the oven, you can briefly microwave the pan in 10-second increments, stirring until smooth.
- Use parchment paper rather than foil if you want easier removal and less risk of sticking.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to one week.
- Breaking the candy into pieces rather than clean cuts is normal due to the sticky texture.
Keywords: Saltine Cracker Candy, Christmas Crack, Toffee, Holiday Treat, Caramel, Chocolate, Easy Dessert