Categorized:

  • Christmas
  • Desserts
  • Treats and Snacks

Tagged:

  • brown sugar
  • butter
  • chocolate chips
  • pecans
  • saltines
  • sprinkles
  • vanilla extract
Christmas Crack layered on a serving plate. - 1

Christmas Crack

Ingredients

  • 35 saltine crackers
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (12 oz) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans or a few TBSP sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed 15 by 10-inch jelly roll sheet* (this size HERE - affiliate link) with aluminum foil. Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Align crackers in a single layer on prepared baking sheet, set aside.
  • Add butter and brown sugar to a medium saucepan (2.5 - 3 quart). Heat mixture over medium heat. Cook stirring constantly until mixture reaches a full boil. Once it boils stop stirring and let boil 3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla (stand back it will sputter!).
  • Immediately (and carefully) hot mixture evenly over crackers. Spread evenly as needed.
  • Bake in preheated oven 5 minutes. Carefully remove from oven (this is boiling hot sugar)**.
  • Right away sprinkle chocolate chips over mixture. Let rest 5 minutes to allow chocolate to melt***.
  • Spread chocolate into an even layer using an offset spatula, sprinkle evenly with nuts or sprinkles if using.
  • Transfer to fridge and let chocolate harden, about 30 minutes, or freeze for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from fridge, lift cracker from foil and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container (I like to refrigerate though it’s not a must).

Notes

  • *This is not the standard size cookie sheet. It is between a half sheet and a quarter sheet. If you use the standard size sheet there won’t be enough crackers and toppings will be spread too thin.

  • **Once you remove crackers from oven if you find a couple are uneven or overlapping you can use a silicone spatula to move them back into place. Not super important but if you want it even.

  • ***If you find after 5 minutes the chocolate just won’t melt you can pop it in the oven that is off but still hot for just a few seconds. It should melt in about 10 seconds.

  • Nutrition estimate does not include nuts or sprinkles.

  • Finish with white chocolate chips instead of milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips. Then you can also dust with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.

  • Use chopped walnuts or pistachios or sliced almonds instead of pecans.

  • Decorate with festive mini M&M’s.

  • Crush up Oreos and sprinkle over chocolate.

  • Try it with white chocolate and crushed candy canes.

  • After chocolate layer has set drizzle with melted white chocolate for a pretty finishing touch.

  • Use graham crackers in place of saltine crackers.

  • Finish with crushed toffee bits for even more toffee flavor.

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