Christmas Crack is aka saltine cracker candy is the most addicting candy recipe I’ve ever made! It only takes five simple ingredients (butter, brown sugar, saltine crackers, chocolate chips) and about 20 minutes to whip up a batch!
NOTE: This post was updated in 2019 to include new photos and a few extra tips! The recipe is exactly the same!
Seriously! This Christmas Crack recipe is so quick and easy to make that it’s completely dangerous! I make this candy about a million times during the holidays and about a million more times throughout the year. And every time I make a batch I completely lose the whole “I’m going to control myself” battle!
Besides being addicted to chocolate, and salty-sweet desserts, my favorite thing about this recipe is how EASY it is to make! Plus, it’s made with simple and cheap ingredients I always have in my pantry. And, you don’t even need a candy thermometer for this recipe!
20 minutes you guys…seriously 20 minutes of hands-on time and you can have a batch of it made. All that’s left is letting it cool and cracking it into pieces. And if you want to speed up the cooling time just stick it in the fridge for a bit.
PRO TIP: Little Dairy on the Prairie Pro Tip
- How to make Christmas Crack so it’s not gooey/sticky/grainy? I’m going to tell you EXACTLY what you need to do so this recipe will work every single time!
- The butter and brown sugar needs to slowly come to a boil. Don’t get impatient here! Bring it to a boil over medium heat…no higher! I use a whisk to stir it while it’s coming to a boil. It helps keep the butter and sugar from separating. Once the mixture comes to a full ROLLING boil (meaning it doesn’t stop boiling even when it’s being stirred) remove the whisk and don’t stir it anymore. Turn the heat as low as you can while still maintaining a constant, but gentle boil.
- That’s the trick! The key is to whisk, use as low of heat as possible, and make sure it comes to a ROLLING, yet gentle boil. Following these steps will make perfect Christmas Crack Candy every single time!
Readers are addicted to Easy Christmas Crack too!
This is soooo good I can’t keep it on hand or I’ll eat it all! You will not regret making it.
Mary
I made this last night for the first time and gave to coworkers today. It was a hit! Thank you for the great recipe. It turned out perfect & is the perfect combo of salty/sweet! I am currently printing out the recipe for one of my coworkers who absolutely loved it. Merry Christmas
Cori
I am addicted to this stuff, I swear!! Can’t wait to make it for the holidays this year:) THANK YOU for the recipe!!
Xx
Taylor
FAQ’s about Saltine Cracker Candy
Can I freeze saltine toffee?
No. Freezeing this candy will change the texture of the candy and make the sugar grainy and the crackers soggy.
How long can you store Christmas Crack?
Store Christmas Crack in an airtight container for up to two weeks. The chocolate on the top may discolor after a week though.
What is Christmas Crack?
Christmas Crack is a quick and easy saltine toffee recipe made with saltine crackers, butter, brown sugar, chocolate chips, and you may add sprinkles to make it festive.
What kind of chocolate chips should I use to make Christmas Crack?
Use high quality semi or milk chocolate chips. I use Nestle or Ghiradelli brand chocolate chips.
Why is my Christmas Crack grainy or soft?
Over medium heat bring the butter sugar mixture to a full rolling boil for the listed time. Don’t boil the mixutre at a high heat or it will burn before it has a chance to boil for the full time.
How to make Christmas Crack
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
STEP 2: Line a half sheet baking pan with aluminum foil. Grease foil with nonstick baking spray
STEP 3: Set crackers in prepared pan, salt side up so they are touching.
STEP 4: Melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir until it comes to a full rolling boil. Remove spoon from pan and continue to boil for 3 minutes.
STEP 5: Pour caramel mixture over crackers.
STEP 6: Bake for 5 minutes.
STEP 6: Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let rest for 5 minutes.
STEP 7: Smooth melted chocolate chips over toffee.
STEP 8: Garnish with sprinkles, other candies, chopped nuts, or sea salt.
STEP 9: Cool until set. Break into pieces.
Fun Variations of Saltine Cracker Candy.
Part of the fun of this basic cracker candy recipe is changing it up for the seasons and turning it into fun new flavors. You can seriously go crazy with this!
Toppings
- crushed crackers
- course sea salt
- chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds
- crushed candy canes
- miniature dried marshmallows
- seasonal sprinkles
- cayenne pepper
- seasonal candies like M&M’s or candy eyes for Halloween
What kind of chocolate can I use for making saltine cracker toffee?
- high quality semi-sweet and milk chocolate are traditional choices.
- substitute peanut butter chips, mint chips, or butterscotch chips for chocolate chips
- use a combination of chips and swirl them until marbled
- Use semi sweet chocolate, let cool, and drizzle with white chocolate
Can I use other crackers?
Yes! Here are some fun options!
- Graham crackers
- Pretzels
- Ritz crackers, or other butter crackers
- Club crackers
- Chocolate graham crackers
Check out these fun variations of crack candy I’ve made and loved!
How to break saltine toffee crack into pieces?
Saltine cracker bark is way easier to break into pieces than traditional toffee. Wait until the bark is completely cool before breaking into pieces.
You can either break/crack it into random pieces. I like to peel the aluminum foil off the bark, set it on a cutting board, and cut it into even pieces. I’m OCD that way! Either way works great though!
Other Easy Christmas Candy and Cookie Recipes
Easy Christmas Candy Recipes
- Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (microwave)
- Easy Fudge Recipe (with Coconut)
- Chocolate Fudge Recipe (with cinnamon bears)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark
- Easy Microwave Caramels
- Easy Caramel Recipe (3 ingredients)
- Lemon Fudge
- Microwave Peanut Brittle
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes
Be sure to check out my other Christmas dessert recipes too!
Christmas Crack
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter no substitutes
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 48 saltine crackers
- 1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
- Sprinkles chopped almonds or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Line foil with saltine crackers, touching salt side up. You probably won’t need quite two sleeves of crackers.
- Over medium heat, while constantly stirring, bring butter and sugar to a gentle, yet rolling, boil. If you turn the heat too high the mixture might separate. I like to use a whisk for stirring.
- Once it's boiling remove the spoon and boil for exactly 3 minutes. You want the heat to be as low as possible while maintaining a boil. It's important for the mixture to be completely boiling for the entire three minutes or the candy will turn out soggy.
- Pour over saltine crackers. Spread with the back of a spoon if necessary.
- Bake for 5 minutes.
- Immediately after removing them from the over sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let sit for a few minutes. Spread with the back of a spoon.
- Decorate with sprinkles, chopped nuts or colored dipping chocolates.
- Allow candy to completely cool.
- Break or cut into pieces.
Notes
Nutrition
Linda says
Delicious and simple. Loved them
Amy Engberson says
Those are two of my favorite words to describe a recipe; delicious and simple! I’m glad you loved them!
Lisa says
I am going to make this for a few occasions this year. I will use the flat pretzel crisps. How far in advance can I make it before I bag and give away as treats to co-workers, friends and family?
Amy Engberson says
Hi Lisa! This candy makes a great gift! It’s so easy to make that I usually make it a day or two before serving. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week and in the freezer for up to three months.
MaryEllen Rodgers says
What did I do wrong my butter and brown sugar mixture is running?
Amy Engberson says
That could happen for a couple of reasons. Be sure to use real butter, not margarine or another substitute. I like using high-quality butter for this recipe. Be sure to bring the brown sugar and butter to a slow boil over medium heat (or just a touch hotter) and whisk until it comes to a full rolling boil, meaning it doesn’t stop bubbling when it’s being stirred. I really think bringing the mixture to a slow boil is the key! This recipe is so yummy!
joanne brunet says
can i use any kind of cracker or does it have to be saltiens
Amy Engberson says
Yes! You can use any kind of cracker. I like to use crackers that can be set together with “mostly” the sides touching. Round crackers leave quite a bit of empty space, although they do taste great! Let me know which crackers you decide to try!
Lisa says
This is my 3rd Christmas making this very addictive Christmas crack! Your recipe is spot-on and very delicious.
Mestina
Amy Engberson says
I love that this recipe is becoming a tradition with your family! It really is the most addicting candy! Merry Christmas!
Anna says
I have seen this dessert a couple of times but not be able to make it. I need to ASAP
Amy Engberson says
YES! You need to make it! It’s my favorite! I have to hide it so I don’t eat the whole batch! Yum!
Angela says
Easy and delish!!!!
Jill says
I made 2 different batches and with one batch i used dark brown sugar and it came out gooey and hard to crack/separate. I also made one with regular milk chocolate chips and one with dark chocolate chips and it is better and has more flavor with the dark chocolate chips. So i recommend using the light brown sugar and dark chocolate chips. I used a pizza cutter to cut it and they broke apart very easily into pretty even pieces 😉
Heather M. Whipple says
Can I use semi-sweet baking chocolate bars
Broken up instead for this recipe
of chocolate chips ? Please let me know by
e-mailing me at midnight0675@frontier.com
Amy Engberson says
Sure! That would be perfect! Enjoy!
Joelle says
How much of each ingredient do you use? Or do you just eyeball it?
Amy Engberson says
Hi Joelle! So often I eyeball ingredients, but NOT the butter and sugar in this recipe. Click on the gray box that says something like, “Click here to go to the recipe” and it will take you to a complete recipe! If it doesn’t work for you let me know and I’ll be sure to get it to you!
Megan says
This is my favorite dessert to make on Christmas.
Amy Engberson says
Oh my goodness! Me too! The only problem with this candy is that I can’t ever stop eating it! It’s way to yummy! Enjoy!
Megan says
This year I’m for sure makings these.
Amy Engberson says
I CAN’T wait for you to make it! This is the most addicting food in the whole world! Enjoy!
Megan says
I’ve seen this dessert a lot of times but have never made it. I need to ASAP
Amy Engberson says
YES! You need to try this as soon as possible! It’s the best dessert ever! You’re going to fall in love with it!
Joanne says
I have enjoyed making this yummy Christmas
Crack and everyone loves it. This year I made a mistake and added 2 cups of brown sugar and
the kids said, “ It’s gooder!” This does not last long because it is so good! Thank you for this recipe!
Amy Engberson says
Kids are so cute! I love that it turned out gooder! They might be hyper for awhile, but at least they enjoyed it!
Barbara says
One way to know if your chocolate chips are melted enough and ready to spread is they will have a shiny appearance. I also turned the oven off and put them back in until they became shiny, which was 1-2 minutes at the most.
Amy Engberson says
That’s a good point! I put my candy back in the oven, with it turned off, for a minute to finish warming the chocolate chips up too. It works great! Thanks for the tip!
Mary says
Can you recommend something else to use as the base other than saltines?
Amy Engberson says
Saltines are my very favorite because I absolutely love the salty sweet combination. Graham crackers, pretzels, or Ritz crackers all work wonderfully too. I think you’re going to love these!