6-Ingredient Christmas Crack

Made with a layer of saltine crackers, crunchy toffee, and chocolate, this Christmas crack lives up to its name—it’s dangerously addictive, with a salty-sweet balance that makes it the perfect addition to any Christmas cookie box!

What is Christmas Crack?

Christmas crack is a simple candy made from a layer of saltines, toffee, and chocolate—it’s always a hit at my house around the holidays, and it’s super simple to make! If you’re wondering, it’s named for the trademark “crack” sound it makes when you break it apart, not for how addicting it is (though I can attest to that as well)!

What You’ll Need

• Butter and light brown sugar. The only thing you’ll need to make is a toffee element, which is just made from butter and sugar. If you cook the mixture for long enough, you’ll get the snap of a trademark toffee consistency.
• Vanilla extract. To enhance the flavor of the toffee.
• Kosher salt. To cut the sweetness.
• Saltines. These will help to balance out the sweetness of the toffee. I like saltines the best, but you can substitute them with Ritz crackers or matzos in a pinch.
• Flaky salt or toppings of choice.

Topping Ideas

You can add whatever topping you prefer! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Flaky salt. My personal favorite!
• M&Ms.
• Pretzels.
• Chopped, toasted nuts.
• Sprinkles.
• Crushed peppermints.
• 1 cup peanut butter. Spread the peanut butter over the crackers after you bake them, then proceed with adding the melted chocolate and toppings of choice.

Christmas Crack FAQ

1. Why didn’t my toffee harden? Most likely, you didn’t let it bake for long enough—the toffee will only harden once it reaches a high enough temperature known as the hard crack stage (around 300 degrees). Since we’re baking it, you’ll know when it’s done when the toffee is bubbling all over and looks like it has settled into the saltine cracker layer.
2. Why didn’t my chocolate melt? Most lower-quality chocolate chips have a coating on the outside that prevents them from melting evenly, so unless you use a good-quality brand of chocolate, that’s probably why it ends up looking lumpy!
3. Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead? Yes! Dark chocolate will add some bitterness to balance the toffee, but your choice of chocolate is entirely up to you.
4. How to store leftovers? Place any leftover Christmas crack in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. It will last at room temperature for a week, in the fridge for 2 weeks, and up to a month in the freezer.

If you try out this recipe, be sure to tag me—happy candy-making!