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If you love sweet-and-salty treats, this easy Christmas Crack recipe is for you! Crunchy saltine crackers get slathered with rich buttery caramel, topped with melted chocolate, then sprinkled with festive holiday M&Ms—and before you know it, you’ve got a Christmas favorite that’s perfect for gifting and cookie exchanges.
These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are another holiday fave, both with my family and with my readers! You’ll also love these chewy Sugar Cookie Bars.
Why you’ll love this family favorite recipe!
This Christmas crack recipe is a festive take on classic Old-Fashioned Saltine Cracker Toffee. And let me tell you, this is one of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions! (So much so that I always have to make two batches.)
A layer of saltine crackers creates a crisp base. Then, the crackers are coated with homemade toffee and melted chocolate for the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors. The finishing touch is red and green M&Ms and holiday sprinkles for a bit of festive cheer!
- Super simple: Just 5 ingredients and only 25 minutes of active time!
- Crowd-pleaser: That irresistible sweet + salty crunch makes this treat perfect for holiday parties and gifting.
- Great for making-ahead: It stores well on the counter or in the refrigerator.
Add this easy Christmas cracker candy to your Hot Chocolate Bar alongside your favorite Christmas cookies and no-bake holiday desserts for parties. Or, gift bite-sized pieces in clear bags with decorative ribbons to family and friends.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Christmas Crack
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Saltine crackers – Saltine crackers are the best for Christmas crack. Nothing fancy!
- Butter – Use unsalted butter since the crackers are salty enough on their own!
- Brown sugar – Light or dark brown sugar both work.
- Chocolate chips – I use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you could also use milk chocolate chips, white chocolate, or dark chocolate. Feel free to add more for extra decadence. The better the quality of chocolate chips, the better the results!
- M&M’s – The red and green M&M’s are perfect for Christmas. I also like to include a good dash of holiday sprinkles, but they’re optional.
Variations
- Try different crackers: Ritz crackers or even graham crackers can be used instead of the Saltine crackers.
- Experiment with toppings: Feel free to mix and match all your favorite toppings to make this recipe your own! Shredded coconut, pretzel pieces, chopped nuts, sanding sugar, crushed candy canes, and candy pieces all look and taste great.
- Make it year-round: Use this recipe as inspiration for different holidays and party themes by using different colored candy and sprinkles.
How to Make Christmas Crack
- Make the cracker layer: Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, and arrange a single layer of saltines on the cookie sheet. Break a few crackers if you need to so that they fit snuggly.
- Make the toffee and bake: Bring the butter and sugar to a rolling boil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and allow the mixture to sit for 3 to 4 minutes without stirring. Spread the mixture over the saltines. Bake for 5-7 minutes.
- Add the chocolate: Remove the pan from the oven, and sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top. Let it sit for a few minutes to soften. When the chocolate chips begin to melt, gently spread the chocolate over the caramel with a spatula.
- Finish: Top with the M&M’s and holiday sprinkles while the chocolate is still warm. Allow the pan to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour or until the ingredients have hardened and set. Once set, lift the Christmas crack out of the pan, and transfer it to a cutting board. Use your hands or a knife to break it into bite-sized pieces.
How to Store
Store this homemade Christmas crack recipe in an airtight container on the countertop for 4-5 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It tastes great cold and at room temperature!
Frequently Asked Questions
I like to line my pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper to prevent the Christmas crack from sticking to the pan. You could also spray the surface of the foil or parchment paper with cooking spray.
Absolutely! Frozen Christmas crack is incredibly delicious. Store it in an airtight container, with sheets of parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking for up to 1 month.
This holiday sweet treat is called Christmas crack because it’s made with crackers. (It’s also known as Christmas cracker candy for the same reason.) It also makes a cracking sound when cut or broken into bite-sized pieces, and it’s totally addictive!
Semi-sweet chocolate chips give a nice balance. Milk chocolate adds sweetness, dark chocolate brings a deeper cocoa flavor.
More Christmas Treats
Christmas
Christmas Tree Brownies
Quick & Easy Desserts
Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes
Cookies
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Christmas
Homemade Peppermint Bark
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Christmas Crack
Equipment
- 13×9 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- saucepan
- Stirring spoon
- spatula
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers about 40-45 crackers
- 1 cup unsalted butter about 2 sticks
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup red and green M&M's or your favorite holiday sprinkles – optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 13×9 inch (33×23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Make sure to leave some overhang for easy removal.
- Arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking pan. You may need to break a few crackers to make them fit evenly.1 sleeve saltine crackers
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes without stirring. The mixture should thicken and become a caramel-like sauce.1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup brown sugar
- Carefully pour the caramel sauce over the saltine crackers, ensuring they are evenly coated. Use a spatula to spread the sauce if needed.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the caramel is bubbling and slightly darkened.
- Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot caramel-covered crackers. Let them sit for a few minutes to soften.2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly over the crackers.
- If desired, sprinkle the M&M's or holiday sprinkles over the melted chocolate while it's still warm.1 cup red and green M&M's
- Allow the pan to cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Refrigerate the pan for at least 45 minutes to an hour, or until the chocolate has set.
- Once the Christmas crack is completely cooled and the chocolate is firm, use the parchment paper or foil overhang to lift it out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and break it into bite-sized pieces.
Video
Notes
- Make it your own: Feel free to customize the toppings with your favorite holiday candies or sprinkles to make it extra festive.
- Keep it fresh: Store any leftover Christmas crack in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to one week. It also makes a great homemade gift for friends and family during the holiday season.
- Line the pan for easy removal: Leave some of the foil or parchment paper hanging over the edges of the baking sheet. Then, you’ll have something to grab onto, making it easy to lift and transfer the Christmas crack for serving!
Good evening,
I came upon this recipe and just had to print it. It looks so yummy. I may make plenty and give as gifts to all my family.
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Very good!
Ì will definitely try this recipe with saltines Just to change it up a bit, I will also try it using Graham crackers instead.
This was excellent! So easy to make to!
Thank you, Sue! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!