Holiday Caramel Crack Recipe

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🍬 Holiday Caramel Crack Recipe

Introduction

Holiday Caramel Crack, often called Christmas Crack or Saltine Toffee Bark, is a beloved treat that has earned its place at festive tables around the world. Its magic lies in the beautiful combination of buttery caramel, crunchy crackers, and a smooth chocolate layer. The recipe is so easy, yet the result tastes like something you’d find in a gourmet candy shop. Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or just a cozy weekend, this sweet snack disappears fast—earning the name “crack.”

Ingredients

  • 40 saltine crackers (about 1 sleeve)
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate if you prefer)
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (optional – pecans, almonds, walnuts)
  • ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt (optional, for balance)
  • Sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or toasted coconut (optional for topping)

Instructions / Method

  1. Prepare the base
    • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
    • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
    • Lay the saltine crackers in a single layer to cover the entire sheet.
  2. Make the caramel
    • In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat.
    • Stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil, then let it bubble for 3 minutes without stirring.
    • Remove from heat.
  3. Layer the caramel
    • Carefully pour the hot caramel over the saltines.
    • Spread evenly with a spatula to cover every cracker.
  4. Bake the crack
    • Place baking sheet in the oven for 5 minutes. The caramel will bubble up.
    • Remove from oven.
  5. Add the chocolate
    • Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over hot caramel layer.
    • Wait 2 minutes, then spread melted chocolate evenly with a spatula.
  6. Top it off
    • Sprinkle nuts, candy, or sea salt if desired.
  7. Cool and crack
    • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until set.
    • Break into pieces (“crack” style) and serve.

History

Caramel Crack (or Christmas Crack) became popular in the U.S. around the 1960s as a quick, budget-friendly holiday treat. Saltine crackers were widely available and inexpensive, and the addition of caramel and chocolate created a candy-like indulgence with minimal effort. Over the years, it became a tradition in many households, especially around Christmas when cookie swaps and candy platters were common.

Benefits

  • Quick & Easy: Takes under 20 minutes to prepare.
  • Budget-Friendly: Uses pantry staples like crackers, sugar, and butter.
  • Versatile: Can be topped with nuts, sprinkles, candies, or even white chocolate drizzle.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: Sweet, salty, crunchy—everyone loves it!

Formation

This dessert forms through a three-layer process:

  1. Base: Saltine crackers provide a crispy foundation.
  2. Middle: Butter-sugar caramel binds everything together.
  3. Top: Melted chocolate seals the flavors and allows for toppings.

The end result is a brittle-like candy that can be broken apart into random, rustic pieces.

Nutrition (per serving, about 1 piece)

  • Calories: ~200
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 150mg

(Values vary based on chocolate type and toppings used.)

Lovers of Caramel Crack ❤️

This recipe is adored by:

  • Families: Kids love the sweetness; parents love the simplicity.
  • Holiday Hosts: Easy to make large batches for parties.
  • Gift-Givers: Packaged in tins, it makes a perfect homemade gift.
  • Sweet Tooth Lovers: Anyone craving salty-sweet crunch will fall in love.

Conclusion

Holiday Caramel Crack isn’t just a treat—it’s a tradition. It carries the warmth of family gatherings, the joy of festive celebrations, and the comfort of a homemade snack that feels fancy but comes together in minutes. Whether you’re making it for a party, gifting it in jars, or sneaking bites from the fridge, it’s a recipe that brings smiles everywhere.

💖 Sweet, salty, crunchy, chocolatey—this is more than just candy. It’s happiness in a bite.

👉 Would you like me to also create variations of this recipe (like peanut butter crack, white chocolate peppermint crack, or gluten-free version), so you can switch it up for different occasions?

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