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This highly addictive saltine toffee is dubbed ‘Christmas Crack’ as it’s easy to make around the holidays for a crowd (or for gifting) and it will have you hooked from the very first bite.
This Should Come With a Warning: Saltine Toffee
I posted this recipe back in 2012 and I had no idea what ‘Christmas Crack’ was other than the fact that I loved the name (although it’s probably politically incorrect and offensive to some people now). Come to find out, it is a very popular treat during the holidays and it’s essentially saltine toffee. I am a HUGE fan of sweet and salty flavor combinations and this saltine toffee is literally the poster child for sweet and salty.
Christmas Crack (or saltine toffee – which ever you want to call it) is popular because it requires no candy thermometer, is easy to make, mail, and even easier to eat. Since it’s already a bit rustic in the way you break it apart into pieces, when you send it in the mail, unlike cookies or other treats, it’s okay that this treat is not perfect.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Make sure you are buying salted saltine crackers, not the no-salt kind!
- For an even more buttery and rich treat, swap out the saltine crackers for club crackers or Ritz crackers.
- Use sprinkles, mini M&M’s, or crushed peppermint candy canes to decorate the tops of these for an even more festive flair!
Storage and Gifting Instructions
Saltine toffee can be stored in a container for up to 2 weeks. This is perfect for gifting in metal containers or mailing them in sturdy cookie boxes.
Add some maple cinnamon spiced nuts along with frosted sugar cookies, linzer cookies, and gingerbread men cookies to give your holiday cookie box the perfect touch!
Saltine Toffee (Christmas Crack)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 40 saltine crackers, approx. 1 sleeve
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (220 g) dark brown sugar
- 2 cups (473 g) dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cups (164 g) chopped pecans
- Flakey sea salt, for topping (if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 °F (204 °C)
- On a 9×13" rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, line the saltine crackers side by side until the entire pan is filled.40 saltine crackers
- In a saucepot, melt butter and sugar together. Stir together then bring to boil then let boil for 5-7 minutes, do not stir while it's boiling, but also make sure it doesn't burn.1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, 1 cup (220 g) dark brown sugar
- CAREFULLY pour the contents of the pot evenly over the saltines then place in oven to bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
- In the meantime, in a microwave safe bowl, gently melt the chocolate, stirring in 30 second intervals until it's melted through and no clumps remain.2 cups (473 g) dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Pour chocolate evenly on top of the caramel, spreading it evenly and smoothing it out.
- Immediately sprinkle chopped pecans (or whatever toppings) all over the top.1 ½ cups (164 g) chopped pecans, Flakey sea salt
- Allow the sugar mixture and chocolate cool completely. I popped mine in the fridge for about an hour. Once cool, break into pieces – doesn't have to be uniform in shape.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks!
Nutrition
Photographs by Jess Gaertner Creative
My step mom makes this every year and it is a crowd favorite. It’s the sweet and salty and crunchy and chocolatey. amazeballs.
Happy Christmas luvah!!
crack is whack… well maybe not this crack! It looks awesome!!!
Christmas Crack – I love it. Looks like I need to make this for my family members. You know, crack always goes over well :P
whoa! i would eat all of that all.by.myself. looks insanely good! :)
Wow, would never have dreamed this would work, but you did it. Looks awesome!!
Bring.it.on! Dude, I seriously can’t wait to make these guys! Christmas is going to be epic!
YUM!
Oh girl, don’t get me started. I started making this last year and it’s the bomb. Crack is right- I can’t stop eating it. Try sprinkling a little sea salt on top next time. Out. Of. This. World.
Oh mannnn I LOVE this stuff!!
I seriously can’t be in the same room with this stuff. It goes straight to my hips :)