What Is “Christmas Crack?”
If you’ve never tried Christmas Crack before, well, you’ll soon be addicted to this no-bake treat! Christmas Crack is essentially homemade toffee poured over Saltine crackers (hence the name “Crack” from crackers). The Saltine crackers add crunch and saltiness to the toffee, making it a salty-sweet treat that everyone goes crazy for around Christmastime! This is a very easy Christmas crack recipe, BUT you do have to plan accordingly because the toffee requires a few hours to set up before it can be cut into pieces and served.
Christmas Crack Ingredients
Homemade Christmas crack candy needs just six basic ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need: But I’m not sorry about how easy and delicious this dessert is. And so with that disclaimer, let’s get on with making it!
Saltine crackers Unsalted butter Brown sugar Vanilla extract Semi-sweet chocolate chips Christmas sprinkles
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Christmas Crack
This is an easy no-bake treat that anyone can make! You don’t need a candy thermometer to make the toffee, and the recipe is mostly just assembly!
How to Store Christmas Crack
Storing it in the fridge will preserve its life for weeks and weeks, more like months. Storing it in the freezer will preserve it easily for 4 months. In a warmer-ish winter climate (i.e. sothern Texas, Florida, California, etc.) you may want to store the Christmas crack in the fridge if it’s warm enough to melt chocolate where you’re at. Doubtful in December, but you never know. Even at room temp, I would say it would last an easy month. This makes it perfect for cookie exchanges, hostess gifts, or as a thoughtful homemade parting gift to give your guests after a holiday party you’re hosting. It’s more likely it will be devoured much, much before you even have to worry much about storage options.
Tips for the Best Christmas Crack Toffee
Do NOT skip lining your pan with foil and do not use cheap foil because you will hate yourself later. Either the caramel sauce will stick to the pan or the foil will stick to the crackers. I am sure you could use parchment but in these applications, it doesn’t form a tight ‘seal’ against the pan and I much prefer heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil. When simmering the butter and brown sugar on the stovetop, take care that your simmer is not too fast/too high because it will be prone to bubbling over or scorching. Stir the mixture nearly constantly while it simmers to avoid bubbling over or scorching; the taste of burnt butter and sugar is awful so don’t burn it or you will have to start over! You can cut the Christmas crack candy into neat squares or you can break it off into pieces with your hands. Both look pretty thanks to the sprinkles!
More Easy Christmas Desserts:
ALL OF MY CHRISTMAS RECIPES! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Graham Cracker Toffee (aka Graham Cracker CRACK) — Sweet, buttery, caramely, perfectly chocolaty, topped with toffee bits for extra crunch!! Lives up to its name and extremely ADDICTIVE!! An EASY holiday and party FAVORITE!! Chocolate Peanut Butter Stacks – Easy, no-bake treats that are a holiday favorite! They have it all: Salty, sweet, crunchy, and gooey with chocolate and peanut butter! Great for cookie exchanges or impromptu parties! Melt In Your Mouth Toffee – Irresistible, buttery, ADDICTIVE, and just melts in your mouth!! EASY and perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or cookie exchanges!! Reindeer Chow — A holiday twist on classic Muddy Buddies that’s EASY, ready in 15 minutes, and perfect for hostess gifts or cookie exchanges!! Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge — Made in the microwave with just SIX ingredients, there’s no boiling or candy thermometers involved in this FAST and EASY recipe for PERFECT fudge every time! White Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles — Fast, EASY, no-bake, and the BEST peanut butter truffles! A creamy peanut butter filling with a bit of texture from graham cracker crumbs, dipped in white chocolate (or milk or dark), and topped with sprinkles! Loaded Christmas Puppy Chow — This fast, easy, no-bake holiday treat is LOADED with all the good stuff! Chocolate, peanut butter, sugar, M&Ms, peanut butter cups, and pretzels for a salty-sweet, crunchy, and addictive snack! Makes great little gifts because it keeps well and everyone LOVES it!
