This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
This Christmas Crack Candy is a popular treat and perfect gift for the holidays. It tastes like fancy Almond Roca candy with a sweet, salty flavor and highly addictive crunchy texture.
Featured with this recipe
Christmas Crack Candy, also known as Christmas cracker candy or Saltine cracker toffee has that perfect salty sweet combination that is to die for. Saltine crackers add a crispy texture and are coated with rich toffee and chocolate and all sorts of toppings. It’s such a tantalizing and tasty treat that no one will believe this candy is made with Saltines. Dare you to eat just one!
Ingredients in Christmas Crack
Sweet and salty Christmas crack candy is super easy to make, yet tastes decadent and feels fancy even though you’re literally making candy from Saltine crackers! It holds its own among favorite holiday desserts, by far. Here’s all you need:
- Butter – you’ll need about 1 1/4 cups (or two and a half sticks) of unsalted butter, divided.
- Saltine crackers – this recipe calls for about 35 cracker squares arranged in a single layer. Ritz crackers can also be used in this recipe.
- Brown sugar – one cup, packed
- Sweetened condensed milk – one 14-ounce can of light sweetened condensed milk.
- Chocolate chips – one and a half cups of milk chocolate chips. You can use dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, Ghirardelli chocolate melts, any melted chocolate you like.
- Almonds – about ¾ cup chopped. Not a fan of almonds? Try chopped peanuts, walnuts, pecans, etc.
Additional Toppings
When it comes to creating your own version of Christmas crack candy, the possibilities are endless! Mix and match all kinds of toppings to meet your family’s tastes or to try different flavor combinations for gifts and holiday parties. Here are some ideas:
- Red and green Christmas sprinkles
- Crushed pretzels
- Shredded coconut
- Crushed peppermint candy
- Additional nuts, including peanuts, almonds, pecans, or walnuts
- Crushed graham crackers
- Caramel drizzle
- Chopped dried fruits
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt
- Mini chocolate chips or mini m&m candies
- Use white chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate
- Crushed Oreo cookies
Step By Step Instructions
This Crack Candy is really easy to make, but it can seem daunting if you’re not used to making candy. Follow these easy tips for a perfect treat:
- First, line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, and spray with cooking spray to avoid sticking.
- Next, melt one stick of butter in a heavy to medium saucepan and pour into the prepared jelly roll pan.
- Then, layer saltine crackers over the melted butter. If you need to break a few in half to fit the entire pan, that’s completely fine.
- Then you’ll need to melt the rest of the butter in the same saucepan, add brown sugar and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce to low and cook the butter and brown sugar mixture, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the sweetened condensed milk, and pour the entire mixture over the saltine crackers.
- Pop the pan into the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until bubbly and slightly browned. Take it out of the oven and let the pan cool for one minute.
- Sprinkle on the chocolate chips; let them sit for five minutes until they’re nice and melted. Then spread evenly using an offset spatula all over the crackers and toffee mixture.
- Finally, sprinkle with almonds and gently press them into chocolate.
How to Store Christmas Crack Candy
Store this saltine toffee in the refrigerator in an airtight container. If you’re storing it in layers on a sheet pan or a baking sheet, place parchment paper or wax paper. This Christmas crack recipe is best stored in the fridge, because the candy can become sticky on the bottom if left at room temperature.
Why is it called Christmas crack?
This treat gets its name because it cracks in your mouth a little as you bit into it. That’s because crisp crackers are topped with a crunchy toffee and bits of nuts. Delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
You won’t believe it when you taste it, but this crack candy is just saltine crackers, layered with a simple homemade toffee and creamy chocolate. So delicious and addicting!
The grainy texture happens with the brown sugar crystalizes if the sugar and butter mixture temperature gets too hot. Also, make sure to keep all the sugar stirred down in the pot to avoid crystallization.
The toffee needs to get to the hard-crack stage or it will be too chewy. You can bake it longer or adjust your oven temperature slightly. Or use a candy thermometer to make sure the mixture is between 300-310 degrees.
READ MORE:25+ Christmas Dessert Ideas
More Christmas Treat Recipes
Making Christmas treats is my favorite thing about the holidays! There are so many recipes to share with friends and family. Home baked goodies always make the perfect neighbor gifts or presents for co-workers. Here are just a few to try this holiday season:
How to Make Christmas Crack Candy
Christmas Crack Candy
Equipment
- 1 Jelly Roll Pan (10.5"x15.5")
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups butter divided (2 ½ sticks)
- 35 saltine crackers
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup almonds chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425. Line jelly roll pan with foil.
- Melt ½ cup (one stick) of butter in a heavy pan. Pour into prepared jelly roll pan.
- Arrange crackers over the melted butter, breaking to fit as needed.
- Melt remaining butter in same pan, add brown sugar and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to low and cook stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk and pour over crackers.
- Bake 10-12 minutes or until bubbly and slightly browned. Remove from oven; cool in pan for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle with chocolate chips; let stand for 5 minutes. Spread evenly over the surface. Sprinkle with almonds and gently press them into chocolate.
- Spread evenly over the surface. Sprinkle with almonds and gently press them into chocolate.
- Cool in pan on rack for 30 minutes then refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Remove from foil and cut or break into pieces.
Notes
- Red and green Christmas sprinkles
- M&Ms
- Crushed pretzels
- Shredded coconut
- Crushed candy canes
- Additional nuts, including peanuts, almonds, pecans, or walnuts
- Crushed graham crackers
- Caramel drizzle
- Chopped dried fruits
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt
- Mini chocolate chips or mini m&m candies
- Use white chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate
- Crushed Oreo cookies
Can you use club crackers instead of saltine ?
Sure!
Wanting to know how to store these. Every time I have made a snack that involves a cracker of any type, if not consumed that same day, the crackers get soggy from the other ingredients over time. Thank you.
Store this saltine toffee in the refrigerator in an airtight container. If you’re storing it in layers on a sheet pan or a baking sheet, place parchment paper or wax paper. This Christmas crack recipe is best stored in the fridge, because the candy can become sticky on the bottom if left at room temperature.
can i use graham crackers instead of saltines?
I think so! That sounds yummy!