saltine cracker candy
Craving a salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy treat? Whip up this Christmas Crack (saltine cracker candy) in just 15 minutes with only 5 ingredients!
![saltine cracker candy](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1716043865038-682x1024.jpg)
Every Christmas, we grew up eating Saltine Cracker Candy, which we stored on the patio with all our holiday goodies in leftover ice cream pails or plastic tubs (moving them to the garage only if it was going to be really cold that night).
On Christmas morning, I took pride in building the cookie plate, carefully selecting a few of each kind from my mom’s annual baking extravaganza to create a festive display on the large glass Christmas plate.
Though Christmas Crack always held the coveted top spot and vanished the fastest, the entire cookie plate building tradition remains my most cherished holiday memory.
ingredients notes
- chocolate: While chopped bar chocolate can sometimes be a better substitute for chocolate chips, to melt it, you have two options: either microwave it and pour it over the top, or… (continue with option 2). Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hardened caramel topping, letting them sit for a minute to melt before using a spatula to spread them into a smooth layer.
- Toppings:Get creative with toppings! Chopped pecans, pretzels, OREOs, M&Ms, toffee bits, peanut butter cups, toasted coconut, coarse sea salt, candy canes, or white chocolate drizzles are all options, or simply leave it plain for a classic look.
Step by step instructions:
I absolutely recommend using a candy thermometer to nail the perfect hardness for your caramel.
1.To begin, preheat your oven to 300 degrees and prepare a 15” x 10” x 1” pan with parchment paper, foil, or a silicone mat before arranging the crackers in a single layer on the lined sheet.
![saltine cracker candy](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1716044449779.jpg)
2.While the oven heats to 300°F (150°C), melt butter and brown sugar together in a small saucepan using a candy thermometer. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue boiling for 2-3 minutes, or until it reaches 270-290°F (132-143°C).
![saltine cracker candy](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1716045254331.jpg)
3.Immediately pour the hot mixture over the crackers, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 5 minutes, or until the candy hardens, then remove the pan from the oven.
![saltine cracker candy](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1716046068608.jpg)
4.Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second increments at 50% power until smooth, then spread it over the hardened caramel. Alternatively, sprinkle the chips over the candy, return it to the oven until melted, and spread afterwards.
![saltine cracker candy](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1716076599543.jpg)
5.While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle with your desired nuts or toppings and gently press them in with a greased spatula. Cut into squares, then let the toffee cool completely for at least 15 minutes before storing it in the refrigerator.
Do you need an instant-read thermometer?
While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle with your desired nuts or toppings and gently press them in with a greased spatula. Cut into squares, then let the toffee cool completely for at least 15 minutes before storing it in the refrigerator. A favorite and frequent companion in my kitchen, my Thermapen One from ThermoWorks delivers nearly instant and incredibly accurate temperature readings every time. It even earned the top spot in our roundup of the best instant-read thermometers, and lets you ensure perfectly cooked meat too!
While the Thermapen One reigns supreme at $99 (though it does go on sale occasionally!), ThermoWorks also offers the budget-friendly ThermoPop at just $15.99, making it a fantastic gift option for any cooking enthusiast.
![saltine cracker candy](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1716077200403-682x1024.jpg)
Recipe tips and variations
- yield:This recipe yields approximately 12 servings of Christmas Crack, perfect for sharing (or not!).
- storage:Christmas Crack will stay fresh for about a week in an airtight container at room temperature, or even longer frozen (perfect for Midwestern friends who can store it on the patio or in the garage depending on the season and humidity!).
- freezer:Christmas Crack freezes beautifully! For longer storage, break or cut it into pieces and stash them in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.
common Questions answer
Recipe FAQs
Achieving the perfect hardness for the caramel – not chewy but a delightful hard crack – might require slight adjustments to baking time or oven temperature (ovens are finicky!), which is why I highly recommend using a candy thermometer for precise results.
What can I substitute for saltine crackers in Christmas crack?
This Christmas crack recipe is versatile – choose your favorite base from club crackers, graham crackers, or buttery Ritz crackers!
Why did my Christmas crack layers separate?
For optimal results, ensure the hardened caramel topping is still warm when adding the chocolate to prevent separation.
Why is my Christmas crack sticking to the foil or parchment?
Exercise caution, as the candy might still be quite hot. Let it cool until comfortable to handle before removing it from the foil or parchment paper.
Printsaltine cracker candy
Craving a salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy treat? Whip up this Christmas Crack (saltine cracker candy) in just 15 minutes with only 5 ingredients!
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 35–40 saltine crackers
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups chopped chocolate or chocolate chips (see note 1)
- 1 ½ cups toppings such as chopped pecans, crushed pretzels, M&Ms, or crushed OREOs (see note 2)
Instructions
- Whip up this irresistible salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy candy (also known as Christmas Crack) in just 15 minutes with only 5 ingredients!
- For easy baking, preheat your oven to 300 degrees and line a 15” x 10” x 1” pan with parchment paper, foil, or a silicone mat, then arrange the crackers in a single layer on the prepared surface.
- In the meantime, melt butter and brown sugar together in a small saucepan over medium heat, using a candy thermometer to bring it to a boil for 2 to 3 minutes (270 to 290 degrees), then immediately pour the mixture over the crackers and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 5 minutes, or until the candy hardens, then remove from the oven.
- Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second increments at 50% power until melted, then spread it over the hardened caramel (or sprinkle the chips on top, microwave briefly to melt, and spread afterwards).
- sprinkle nuts or other toppings over the chocolate, then press them in gently with a greased spatula. Cut into squares while warm, but let cool completely for at least 15 minutes before storing in the refrigerator.
Notes
- chocolate:While chopped bar chocolate can sometimes be a better choice than chocolate chips, melting it requires one of two methods: … (then continue with your melting instructions).You can either melt the chocolate in the microwave and pour it over the top, or sprinkle the chips on the hardened caramel topping, letting them sit for a minute to melt before using a spatula to spread the softened chocolate.
- Toppings:For the topping, get creative with chopped pecans, pretzels, OREOS, M&Ms, toffee bits, peanut butter cups, toasted coconut, coarse sea salt, candy canes, or a drizzle of white chocolate – or simply enjoy it plain!
- Yield: This recipe makes about 12 servings of Christmas Crack.
- storage:Christmas Crack will keep for about a week at room temperature in an airtight container, or even longer if it’s freezing outside (think patio or garage storage for you Midwesterners!).
- freezer:For long-term storage, freeze your Christmas Crack for up to 3 months by breaking it into pieces and storing them in freezer-safe bags!
Nutrition
- Calories: 373kcal
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 275mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 1mg
Keywords: saltine cracker candy, Christma crack,
uaeunemploymentinsurance
Magnificent beat I would like to apprentice while you amend your site how can i subscribe for a blog web site The account helped me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
pxhs
helloI like your writing very so much proportion we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL I need an expert in this space to unravel my problem May be that is you Taking a look forward to see you