Jolly Christmas Cracker Candy Recipe: Holiday Magic in Minutes

Christmas cracker candy bursts with sweet, crunchy holiday magic that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Buttery toffee layers meld perfectly with chocolate and crackers in this irresistible treat.

Salt and sugar create a delightful contrast that keeps you reaching for more.

Crisp graham crackers form the foundation of this simple yet decadent dessert.

Everyone at your holiday gathering will beg for the recipe after one bite.

The combination of ingredients transforms ordinary crackers into something extraordinary.

Prepare to dazzle your loved ones with this quick and addictive seasonal confection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 16

Christmas Cracker Candy Must-Haves

• Saltine Crackers: Crispy foundation that provides a salty, crunchy platform for the sweet topping, select fresh crackers without staleness or moisture.
• Cooking Spray: Ensures easy release and prevents sticking, choose neutral-flavored spray with minimal residue.

• Butter: Creates rich, golden caramel base, use unsalted for better flavor control and consistent sweetness.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create smooth caramel texture, opt for fresh, clump-free sugar.

• Chocolate Chips: Adds creamy, sweet finish, select high-quality chocolate with good melting properties.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Brings festive color and texture, choose bright, vibrant options that complement the candy's golden-brown base.
• Candy Canes: Provides minty crunch and holiday spirit, crush finely for even distribution and consistent decoration.

Tools That Make Holiday Candy a Snap

• Baking Sheet: 9×13-inch pan for making the candy base.
• Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil: Essential for lining the baking sheet and preventing sticking.
• Cooking Spray: Helps grease the lined baking sheet for easy removal.
• Medium Saucepan: For cooking and preparing the caramel mixture.
• Spatula: Crucial for spreading caramel and chocolate evenly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurately measuring ingredients.
• Oven: To bake and set the caramel and chocolate layers.

How to Make Cracker Candy in Just Minutes

• Prep the Baking Surface

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an overhang for easy removal. Arrange saltine crackers in a tight, single layer covering the entire surface.

• Create Caramel Magic

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and stir until combined. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes until the mixture transforms into a rich, golden caramel.

• Coat the Crackers

Pour the molten caramel evenly over the crackers, ensuring complete coverage. Use a spatula to spread the mixture smoothly.

• Bake and Bubble

Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350F. Bake for 5-7 minutes until the caramel becomes wonderfully bubbly and fragrant.

• Chocolate Blanket

Sprinkle chocolate chips across the hot caramel. Let them sit for 2-3 minutes, then gently spread into a silky smooth layer.

• Add Festive Flair

Quickly garnish with holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes while the chocolate remains soft.

• Chill and Crack

Allow the candy to cool completely at room temperature or refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Once set, break into delightful, irregular pieces ready to enjoy.

Flavor Tweaks to Customize Your Candy Batch

• Stir constantly while making caramel to prevent burning and ensure a smooth, golden texture without crystallization.
• Prepare the candy up to 5 days in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature, keeping layers separated with parchment paper for maximum freshness.
• Swap traditional saltine crackers with gluten-free crackers or rice cakes to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the delicious sweet-and-salty flavor profile.
• Sprinkle chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts over melted chocolate for added crunch and nutty depth, creating a more complex taste experience.
• Use sugar-free chocolate chips and a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener in the caramel to create a diabetic-friendly version of this festive treat.

How to Serve This Sweet Snack at the Table

• Sweet Holiday Party Platter: Arrange broken cracker candy pieces on a festive red or green serving plate, creating an eye-catching display that screams Christmas cheer.
• Delightful Gift Packaging: Wrap individual pieces in clear cellophane bags tied with holiday ribbons, perfect for homemade edible gifts that will make friends and family smile.
• Dessert Accompaniment Brilliance: Serve alongside hot cocoa or coffee as a crispy, sweet companion that adds a delightful crunch and rich chocolate flavor to your holiday beverage moment.
• Elegant Dessert Garnish: Crumble small pieces over vanilla ice cream or holiday pudding to add a surprising texture and caramel-chocolate complexity to your favorite seasonal desserts.

Best Way to Keep It Snappy and Sweet

• Let the Christmas Cracker Candy rest at room temperature for 2-3 hours, ensuring even cooling and perfect texture without rushing the process.
• Chill the candy in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to speed up setting time, creating a crisp and firm chocolate layer that breaks cleanly.
• Keep the candy in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper, storing at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerated for 2 weeks to maintain freshness.
• Wrap the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, allowing you to prepare the treat well in advance of holiday gatherings.

Festive Christmas Cracker Candy Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Festive holiday magic sparkles in this Christmas cracker candy, a sweet symphony of chocolate, toffee, and saltine crackers. Crisp layers meld into a delightful treat that will enchant guests and make celebrations merrier with each irresistible bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 sleeve saltine crackers (about 40 crackers)
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (220 g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 cups (340 g) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup (60 g) holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, overlapping edges. Lightly grease and arrange saltine crackers in a single, complete layer across the entire surface.
2. Caramel Creation: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Incorporate brown sugar and stir until fully combined. Bring to a rolling boil, continuously stirring for 3-4 minutes until the mixture transforms into a rich, thick caramel with a deep amber hue.
3. Caramel Coating: Pour the hot caramel carefully over the saltine crackers, using a spatula to distribute evenly and ensure complete coverage of the crackers.
4. Baking and Melting: Bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes until the caramel becomes wonderfully bubbly. Remove from oven and let settle briefly.
5. Chocolate Transformation: Scatter chocolate chips uniformly across the hot caramel. Allow chips to melt for 2-3 minutes, then gently spread into a smooth, luxurious layer using a spatula.
6. Festive Finishing: Immediately adorn with holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes for a celebratory touch.
7. Setting and Serving: Let the candy cool completely at room temperature or expedite the process by chilling in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. Once fully hardened, break into irregular, delectable pieces and serve.

Notes

• Select fresh, intact saltine crackers without cracks to ensure even caramel coating and prevent uneven texture.
• Watch the caramel closely while boiling – aim for a deep amber color without burning, which takes precise 3-4 minute timing and constant stirring.
• Let chocolate chips rest 2-3 minutes after sprinkling to naturally melt from residual heat, avoiding direct additional heating that could cause seizing or separation.
• Swap traditional ingredients for gluten-free crackers, dairy-free chocolate, and vegan butter alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising the candy’s signature crispy, sweet profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 144
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 204 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg