This saltine cracker toffee has a crunchy, caramel-like layer, rich chocolate topping, and the perfect sweet and salty finish. This irresistible treat is a holiday classic that comes together in minutes!

Close-up of chocolate topped saltine toffee pieces sprinkled with sliced almonds.

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Grandma’s Cracker Toffee Recipe

My grandma is one of my biggest influences in the kitchen, so I thought I would share one of her favorite treats. There are three things you could always find at her house: Tang, homemade caramels and Christmas crack. My family loves cracker toffee so much we make graham cracker toffee and churro saltine toffee, too!

My grandma is one of my biggest influences in the kitchen, so I had to share one of her favorite holiday treats. There were always three things at her house: Tang, homemade caramels, and a big batch of Christmas crack. My family loves cracker toffee so much we even make graham cracker toffee and churro saltine toffee, too!

Ingredient Notes

Box of saltine crackers, two sticks of butter, and a jar of brown sugar on a white countertop.
  • Saltine crackers: The base of the toffee is made with a layer of saltine crackers. The salty flavor from the crackers tastes amazing with the sweet caramel.
  • Butter: This adds a rich flavor to the caramel toffee mixture and helps balance out the sweetness from the brown sugar.
  • Brown sugar: Make sure to use light brown sugar and pack it tightly into your measuring cup.
  • Optional toppings: Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles or other festive toppings.

How to Make Saltine Cracker Toffee

When you need a quick and easy holiday dessert, make this your go-to saltine cracker toffee candy recipe; it’s super simple!

Step-by-step collage showing how to make saltine cracker toffee: lining a pan with crackers, boiling the toffee, pouring it over the crackers, and the baked caramel layer.
  1. Line pan with crackers. Cover a 9×13″ jelly roll pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Then fully line the baking sheet with saltine crackers ensuring there are no spaces between crackers.
  2. Cook caramel mixture. Cook butter in a saucepan over low heat until slightly melted. Then add in brown sugar and stir until butter is completely melted. Turn heat to medium and bring mixture to a boil for about 3 minutes, or until it thickens and has turned an amber caramel color. Stir constantly.
  3. Pour caramel over crackers. Remove pan from heat after 3 minutes and pour the caramel over the saltines. Then spread it out evenly with a knife.
  4. Bake the toffee. Bake at 350°F in oven until lightly golden, about 7 to 8 minutes. Don’t over bake! Remove from oven and if using add chocolate chips, allow to melt then spread melted chocolate using a butter knife.
Saltine crackers drenched in warm caramel cooling on a plate.

Toppings and Variations

There are plenty of ways to make this cracker toffee recipe your own!

  • Type of crackers: Swap the saltines with graham crackers, use pretzel thins or Ritz crackers.
  • Chocolate: If using chocolate for a topping try milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, white chocolate or even butterscotch chips.
  • Nuts: Sliced almonds, chopped pecans or walnuts are my favorite!
  • Other toppings: Try M&M’s, sprinkles, crushed pretzels, crushed candy canes, peppermints or toffee bites.
Saltine crackers covered in bubbling caramel toffee right after baking on a sheet pan.

Looking for more holiday candy to fill your tins? Try peppermint bark, peanut butter balls, and my 3-ingredient chocolate fudge!

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Close-up of chocolate topped saltine toffee pieces sprinkled with sliced almonds.

Saltine Cracker Toffee Recipe

5 from 127 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 50
This saltine cracker toffee has a crunchy caramel layer, rich chocolate topping, and the perfect sweet and salty finish. A classic holiday treat that comes together in minutes!
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Video

Equipment

  • Cookie Sheet

Ingredients 

  • 50 saltine crackers
  • 2 sticks butter (cubed)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)

Optional toppings

  • chocolate chips , I use about 2 cups
  • sliced almonds , about 1/2 cup
  • chopped pecans , about 1/2 cup

Instructions

  • Prep. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9×13" jelly roll pan with aluminum foil. Spray foil with cooking spray and then line pan with 50 saltine crackers.
  • Melt butter and sugar. Place 1 cup butter in a medium-sized pot over low medium/low heat. Stir until butter is slightly melted, then add 1 cup sugar. Once butter is melted, bring to a boil over medium-heat for 3 minutes, or until it thickens and sugar has dissolved. Stir constantly. You want the butter and sugar to be combined and turn an amber caramel color.
  • Pour and bake. After 3 minutes, remove pan from heat and pour evenly over the saltine crackers. Spread mixture with a knife. Place pan in oven and bake for 7-8 minutes or until lightly golden brown. The mixture will spread evenly over the crackers as it bakes.
  • Add chocolate chips. Remove pan from oven. If you're adding chocolate sprinkle the chocolate chips over top and allow to sit for 5 minutes (or place back in the oven for 1 minute). Then spread with a spatula and sprinkle with nuts if desired. Allow to cool.
  • Cool. Allow the toffee to cool and then break pieces off of foil or use a sharp knife to cut.

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

Notes

Storage: Store in a covered container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. 
Freezer instructions: Store in a covered container and freeze up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 64mg, Potassium: 11mg, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 115IU, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 0.2mg

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

Recipe FAQs

What is cracker toffee?

This supremely addicting treat is pretty magical! Saltine crackers (you can substitute Ritz crackers) are covered with a buttery brown sugar mixture then baked until it turns into caramel with a toffee texture. It’s the best combination of sweet and salty especially when topped with optional chocolate and nuts. It’s often referred to as Christmas crack as it is so indulgent!

Do I need a candy thermometer for this recipe?

No, you don’t need a thermometer for this cracker toffee. Just bring the mixture to a steady boil and cook for about 3 minutes before pouring it over the crackers. If you prefer a harder, snappier toffee, boil for 3 to 5 minutes until a thermometer reads 270° to 280°F but it’s completely optional.

Why is my cracker toffee soggy?

Soggy toffee usually means the caramel didn’t boil long enough, so the sugar didn’t fully set. Make sure the mixture reaches a steady boil for the full 3 minutes before pouring it over the crackers. Also avoid storing the toffee uncovered, which can cause moisture to soften it.

Why is my toffee grainy?

Grainy cracker toffee happens when sugar crystals form on the sides of the pan. Stir gently as the mixture melts, and avoid scraping the sides of the pot once it starts boiling. Using a clean pan and fresh ingredients also helps prevent crystallization.

How to store saltine cracker toffee?

Saltine crack stays fresh for up to 2 weeks when stored in an airtight container. Keep it at room temperature so it stays crisp. It also makes a great treat for gifting during the holidays!

Can you freeze this cracker toffee recipe?

Yes! Freeze it in a covered container for up to 3 months. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving, or enjoy it straight from the freezer. The texture may change slightly, but it will still taste delicious.