This Christmas Cracker Candy recipe is a classic holiday favorite, layering salty crackers, rich caramel, and smooth chocolate for an irresistibly crunchy and delicious treat. Also known as Saltine Toffee, this easy-to-make candy is perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with family.
With just a few simple ingredients and no need for a candy thermometer, you can create a beautiful and addictive candy that will disappear in minutes. Discover how to make this festive treat, complete with tips for perfect results every time.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cracker Candy Recipe
Easy to Make: No candy thermometer or complicated steps required. This is a great recipe for beginner candy makers. 🍬
Salty & Sweet: The perfect combination of salty crackers, buttery caramel, and rich chocolate creates a flavor explosion. 😋
Addictive Crunch: The crispiness of the saltine crackers combined with the soft caramel and snappy chocolate is simply irresistible. ✨
Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe with your favorite toppings like nuts, sprinkles, or sea salt. 🎨
Perfect for Gifting: This candy makes a wonderful homemade gift for friends, family, and neighbors during the holidays. 🎁
🛠 Tools You’ll Need
- Jelly Roll Pan (10×15-inch): The perfect size for a single layer of crackers.
- Nonstick Aluminum Foil: Essential for easy cleanup and preventing the candy from sticking.
- Medium Saucepan: For making the simple caramel sauce.
- Spatula: For spreading the caramel and chocolate evenly.
- Chef’s Knife: For cutting the candy into neat pieces once cooled.
🥄 Key Ingredients
- Saltine Crackers: The salty, crunchy base of this candy. About one sleeve is needed. 🥨
- Dark Brown Sugar: Creates a rich, deep caramel flavor. Make sure it’s firmly packed. 🍯
- Unsalted Butter: Provides the buttery richness for the caramel. Two sticks are needed. 🧈
- Kosher Salt: A touch of salt in the caramel balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the caramel.
- Good-Quality Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Chopped chocolate is recommended over chips for better melting and adhesion. 🍫
🍪 How to Make Christmas Cracker Candy
1. Prep Your Pan:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with nonstick aluminum foil, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides. Arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer on the bottom. 🍪
2. Make the Caramel:
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter melts. Continue to cook, stirring often, for 3 to 5 minutes, until the mixture comes to a boil and darkens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. 🔥
3. Pour and Bake:
Pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over the saltine crackers. Bake for 5 minutes. The caramel will be hot and bubbly. ♨️
4. Melt and Spread Chocolate:
While the crackers are baking, melt the chopped chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals until smooth. Once the crackers are out of the oven, let them cool for exactly 1 minute. Pour the melted chocolate over the hot caramel and spread evenly with a spatula. 🍫
5. Chill and Crack:
Let the candy cool to room temperature, then move it to the refrigerator to chill overnight. Once firm, peel away the foil and break the candy into snack-sized pieces with your hands or a knife. ❄️
💡 Tips for Success
- Use Chopped Chocolate: Chopped chocolate melts more evenly and adheres better to the caramel layer than chocolate chips.
- Don’t Over-boil the Caramel: A short boil is all that’s needed. Over-boiling can make the caramel too hard.
- Work Quickly: Pour the chocolate over the caramel while it’s still very warm to ensure the layers stick together.
- Chill Properly: Chilling overnight in the refrigerator is key to preventing the layers from separating. Avoid the freezer if possible.
🆘 Troubleshooting Guide
Problem: The chocolate layer separated from the caramel.
Likely Cause: The caramel cooled too much before the chocolate was added, or the candy was cooled too quickly (in the freezer).
Solution: Ensure the caramel is still warm when you pour the chocolate. If it has cooled, pop the pan back in the oven for a minute. Always chill the candy in the refrigerator overnight.
Problem: The caramel is grainy.
Likely Cause: The sugar didn’t fully dissolve.
Solution: Stir the caramel mixture frequently as it cooks to ensure the sugar melts completely. Using a wet pastry brush to wash down the sides of the pan can also help.
👩🍳 Pro Chef Tips
- Customize Your Toppings: While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on chopped nuts (pecans or almonds are great), shredded coconut, festive sprinkles, or a pinch of flaky sea salt for an extra flavor dimension.
- Alternative Crackers: Feel free to experiment with other types of crackers like Ritz or graham crackers for a different flavor profile.
- Easy Gifting: Package the broken pieces of candy in decorative tins or cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for a beautiful and delicious homemade holiday gift.
☕ Perfect Pairings: What to Enjoy with Your Christmas Cracker Candy
This sweet and salty treat is perfect on its own, but also pairs wonderfully with:
- Hot Coffee or Cocoa: A warm beverage is the perfect contrast to the rich candy. ☕
- A Glass of Milk: A simple and classic pairing that kids and adults will love. 🥛
- Holiday Cookie Platters: Add this candy to your cookie platters for a unique and delicious addition. 🍪
📦 How to Store
Refrigerator: Store the candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freezer: For longer storage, place the candy in a freezer-safe bag between layers of parchment paper for up to 2 months. Let it warm up for a few minutes before eating to prevent it from being too hard.
This comprehensive guide ensures you’ll create perfect Christmas Cracker Candy every time, making your holiday season even sweeter!
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🎄🍫 Christmas Cracker Candy: The Ultimate Salty-Sweet Holiday Treat!
Description
This Christmas Cracker Candy is an easy and addictive holiday treat made with saltine crackers, a simple homemade caramel, and a layer of rich chocolate. It’s the perfect combination of salty, sweet, and crunchy, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe is foolproof and customizable with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with nonstick foil. Arrange crackers in a single layer.
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Make Caramel: In a saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
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Bake: Pour caramel over crackers and bake for 5 minutes.
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Add Chocolate: Let cool for 1 minute exactly. Pour melted chocolate over the hot caramel and spread evenly.
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Chill: Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight.
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Crack: Break into pieces and enjoy!