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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Caramel Coating: Pour the hot caramel carefully over the saltine crackers, using a spatula to distribute evenly and ensure complete coverage of the crackers.
- 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.
- 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.
- Festive Finishing: Immediately adorn with holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes for a celebratory touch.
- 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