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Christmas Cracker Candy Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 48 reviews
  • Author: Diane
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes plus overnight setting
  • Yield: 40 pieces
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Christmas Cracker Candy is a festive and easy-to-make holiday treat featuring a crunchy saltine cracker base topped with buttery toffee, melted milk chocolate, and colorful sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Perfect for gift-giving or enjoying as a delicious dessert during the holiday season.


Ingredients

Scale

Base and Toffee

  • 40 saltine crackers
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (222g, packed)
  • 1 cup salted butter (226g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

  • 11.5 ounces milk chocolate chips (326g, or chocolate bars)
  • Christmas sprinkles or crushed candy canes (for decoration)


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400° Fahrenheit. Cover a half-sheet sized baking sheet completely with non-stick aluminum foil or parchment paper, ensuring the sides are overlapped to catch any drips.
  2. Arrange Crackers: Line the saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. It’s fine if a few crackers overlap slightly around the edges.
  3. Make Toffee Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar and butter. Heat over low to medium heat, stirring often until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil. Let it boil for 3 minutes without stirring to develop the toffee texture. Then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
  4. Pour Toffee Over Crackers: Immediately pour the hot brown sugar mixture evenly over the cracker layer. Use a spatula if needed to spread the toffee evenly. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes.
  5. Add Chocolate Chips: Remove the pan from the oven and quickly sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee-coated crackers. Let them sit for 1-2 minutes to melt.
  6. Spread Melted Chocolate: Using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate smoothly over the entire cracker layer to cover it evenly.
  7. Decorate and Cool: Sprinkle Christmas-themed sprinkles or crushed candy canes on top of the melted chocolate. Allow the candy to cool and set completely, preferably overnight for best results.
  8. Break Into Pieces: Once set, crack the candy into pieces by hand or use a knife for cleaner cuts.
  9. Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy your festive Christmas Cracker Candy as a sweet holiday treat or gift!

Notes

  • For cleaner piece cuts, chill the candy in the refrigerator before slicing.
  • Use parchment paper if you prefer not to use foil for easier removal.
  • You can substitute semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips if desired.
  • Store the candy in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
  • Letting the toffee boil without stirring is key to developing the right texture and preventing crystallization.