Easy Christmas Crack
User Reviews
4.4
Easy Christmas Crack
Description
Easy Christmas Crack combines simple pantry ingredients to create a layered brittle treat. A base of crispy Ritz or saltine crackers is arranged in a baking dish, which is then topped with a rich caramel sauce made from butter and brown sugar cooked to 285°F for a perfect toffee consistency. The caramel is poured over the crackers while hot, then baked shortly to set. After baking, chocolate chips are sprinkled over the caramel surface and placed in the warm oven just off heat to gently melt the chocolate, creating a shiny, smooth topping. An optional sprinkle of fleur de sel can balance the sweetness with a delicate hint of salt.
The finished candy offers a combination of crunchy and chewy textures with sweet and buttery flavors, enhanced by the chocolate layer. The use of crackers provides a slightly salty base contrasting nicely with the caramel sweetness. This confection is a festive, homemade sweet that can be broken into pieces and shared at gatherings or given as gifts.
The recipe requires precise temperature control for the caramel, and the chocolate must be melted gently without additional baking. The parchment-lined baking dish makes removal easy, and although the crackers don’t need to be perfectly aligned, layering broken pieces can ensure coverage. This treat should be cooled thoroughly before breaking into servings.
Ingredients
- 50 Ritz crackers or saltine crackers
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoons fleur de sel , optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper, carefully folding the edges so you can easily lay the crackers flat.
- Line the baking dish with crackers. If using Ritz, the circles won't line up perfectly, so break a few into halves and do a second layer to cover the holes. It doesn't need to look pretty.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring frequently until fully combined and smooth. Allow it to reach 285°F using a candy thermometer and then let it stay at this heat for 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. The mixture will spit a little, this is normal. Pour it over the crackers while hot. It will start to set immediately.
- Bake the Christmas crack for 8 minutes. Remove it and turn off oven.
- Sprinkle the top with the chocolate chips, then return to the warm oven (oven is off, but warm). Allow it to sit in the warm oven for 1-2 minutes or until the chocolate starts to glisten slightly. Using an offset spatula, smooth it out.
- If desired, sprinkle the top with the fleur de sel, and allow to cool slightly before putting in the fridge to set. This will take several hours before toffee is easily cut.
- Remove the parchment paper and cut into squares.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 440 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 440kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Cholesterol | 62mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 797mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 170mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 34g | 68% |
| Vitamin A | 720IU | 14% |
| Calcium | 44mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1.6mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
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