With just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes, this Christmas crack recipe is the best sweet and salty treat made with a layer of saltine crackers, sweet toffee and chocolate!

Stack of Christmas crack.

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Grandma’s Saltine Cracker Toffee

This delicious Christmas crack is one of my favorite Christmas desserts at the holidays and it only takes about 15 minutes to make, much easier even than my toffee recipe or toffee cookies.

I have shared my grandma’s saltine cracker toffee before and this is a glorified version with chocolate and M&Ms on top. You could also top Christmas candy crack with crushed saltines, sea salt, toasted coconut, slivered almonds, pecans or Heath bits.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Sweet and salty. Two of my favorite flavors come together in this chewy and crunchy saltine cracker candy treat.
  • Holiday tradition. Christmas crack toffee is always the first homemade treat to disappear on the cookie plate along with divinity candy and chocolate fudge!

Ingredient Notes

Christmas crack ingredients on marble counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Saltines: The saltiness of this beloved cracker works perfectly with the caramel and chocolate.
  • Butter: I use salted butter to add a salty balance to the sweet. Real butter is key not margarine!
  • Brown sugar: The deep flavor brown sugar provides is key to making this toffee really shine.
  • Chocolate chips: I use milk chocolate chips to make the melted chocolate layer, but you can opt for white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or even chopped chocolate bar.
  • Toppings: I choose red and green M&Ms to keep the candy festive, but nuts, candy canes, toffee bits, pretzels or sprinkles are also really great!

How to Make Christmas Crack

Beware…this candy crack toffee is seriously addicting! You may want to make two batches as it will disappear fast.

The process of making Christmas crack in a four step photo collage.
  1. Prepare: Line a pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Then spread saltine crackers out in an even single layer.
  2. Make the caramel: Boil the brown sugar and butter for 3 minutes.
  3. Bake: Pour evenly over crackers and bake for 8 minutes.
  4. Spread: Once it’s done cooking sprinkle chocolate chips on top and let melt. Spread out until smooth and top with M&M’s or nuts. Then try not to eat all in one sitting.

Expert Tips

  • Candy thermometer. Though it isn’t necessary, if you are worried about getting the caramel right and avoid chewy Christmas crack, you can use a candy thermometer to make sure it reaches a temperature of 270°F to 290°F.
  • Pan size. A large jelly roll pan works best for this recipe, but any type of large, rimmed baking sheet will work.
  • Prevent separation. If your caramel layer has cooled down when adding the chocolate, it will separate into layers. Ensure the caramel is still warm.
  • Melting chocolate chips. If your chocolate doesn’t melt once you place it on the caramel layer, place back in the oven for a few minutes just until they start to melt.
Christmas crack.

Christmas Crack Flavor Variations

This Christmas crack is so versatile and can be modified so many different ways! Below are a few of my favorite ways to make it.

  • Peppermint graham cracker: Graham crackers with white chocolate and crushed candy canes.
  • Chocolate Ritz Christmas crack: Ritz crackers with chocolate and sliced almonds.
  • White chocolate pretzel: Pretzels crisps with white chocolate and Rudolph candies or sprinkles.
  • Graham cracker toffee: Graham crackers with chocolate and chopped almonds.
  • Vanilla: If you would like to add vanilla extract to the caramel layer it would add even more depth of flavor to the brown sugar.
  • Cinnamon sugar. Try this churro cracker candy with a layer of white chocolate and cinnamon sugar topping.

Storage

  • Room temperature storage: Store saltine cracker candy in an airtight container at on the counter for about a week. Just ensure your house isn’t too hot or the chocolate will start to melt.
  • In the refrigerator: If your house is warm, store Christmas crack in the refrigerator for up two weeks. If you live in a colder climate, you could also just keep it in the garage or covered porch!
  • Freeze: Break into pieces and store in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag in the freezer up to 3 months. Place parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick.
Christmas crack with almonds on top.

More classic holiday cookie recipes include my soft molasses cookies, traditional Christmas sugar cookies and peanut butter blossoms.

More Holiday Candy Recipes

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Stack of Christmas crack.

Christmas Crack Recipe

4.98 from 282 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Freeze Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 30
This Christmas crack recipe is the best sweet and salty treat made with a layer of saltine crackers, sweet toffee and chocolate! So easy and irresistible!
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 48 saltine crackers , 1 1/2 sleeves
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter , cubed
  • 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ – 1 cup M&M’s , or chopped nuts or sliced almonds

Optional toppings: m&ms, sprinkles, chopped nuts or sliced almonds

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large jelly roll pan (15×10) with parchment paper or foil (spray foil with non stick spray).
  • Line the bottom of the pan evenly with 48 saltine crackers. You may need a break a few on the sides to fill in the gaps.
  • In a medium pot, combine 2 sticks butter and 1 cup sugar over medium-low heat. Stirring occasionally, bring to a rolling boil and cook 3 minutes, or until bubbling and amber in color. Remove pan from heat and pour evenly over saltine crackers. Spread brown sugar mixture quickly with a spatula.
  • Bake 8 minutes (caramel should be bubbling). If you prefer a harder toffee, bake a few minutes longer. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle 2 cups chocolate chips evenly over the top and let sit until chocolate chips are shiny (you can turn off oven and place inside for 30-60 seconds to speed up, but don't leave in long or it will burn). Remove and let sit a minute. Once the chips are soft, spread evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle desired toppings over the top and place in the freezer 15 minutes, or until hardened.
  • Let sit 15 minutes on the counter. Flip over onto a cutting board and remove the foil. Break into pieces.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Variations: 
  • Use ritz or graham crackers as the base
  • Use a white chocolate or drizzle white chocolate over the top of the chocolate
  • Add chopped nuts
  • Add sprinkles for holidays or color 
Storage: Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
Freeze: Keep these in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag in the freezer up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 115mg, Potassium: 19mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 247IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.