The Christmas Crack.
Welcome to the holiday season, where the air is filled with joy, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of festive treats! Today, we’re diving into a beloved holiday favorite: Christmas Crack. This delightful treat, also known as saltine toffee, is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy, making it an instant hit at any holiday gathering.
Imagine the excitement on your loved ones’ faces as they take their first bite of this addictive treat. The combination of buttery toffee, crisp butter cookies, and a generous layer of melted chocolate creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is simply irresistible. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for a fun and easy recipe to share with family and friends, Christmas Crack is the perfect choice.
Not only is it incredibly delicious, but it’s also a breeze to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get everyone involved in the kitchen, creating sweet memories together. So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and let’s spread some holiday cheer with this delightful Christmas Crack recipe. Happy holidays and happy baking!
Highly Addictive.
Christmas Crack, also known as saltine toffee, is a delightful holiday treat that has captured the hearts of many in recent decades. Its exact origins are a bit of a mystery, but it likely emerged in the late 20th century as a quick and delicious way to satisfy both sweet and salty cravings.
The recipe is wonderfully simple: layer butter crackers on a baking sheet, pour a rich, buttery toffee mixture over them, and top with melted chocolate. Once cooled, the toffee hardens into a crackly, irresistible treat that’s easy to break into pieces, giving it the name “Christmas Crack.”
This treat has become a holiday staple due to its ease of preparation and the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The combination of the crunchy crackers, smooth toffee, and creamy chocolate creates a symphony of taste that’s hard to resist. It’s a favorite at holiday gatherings, loved for its simplicity and the joy it brings to both the maker and the lucky recipients. Christmas Crack embodies the spirit of the holidays: it’s sweet, shared, and utterly delightful. Whether you’re making it for the first time or it’s a cherished tradition, this treat is sure to bring smiles and festive cheer to your celebrations.
The Montreal Texan Tips.
Watch the Toffee Carefully.
When making the toffee, keep a close eye on it as it boils. Stir constantly to prevent burning and ensure it reaches the right consistency. The toffee should be a rich, golden-brown color, which indicates it’s ready to pour over the crackers.
Use High-Quality Chocolate.
Choose high-quality chocolate chips or bars for the topping. This ensures a smooth, rich chocolate layer that complements the toffee and crackers perfectly. Melt the chocolate evenly and spread it quickly over the hot toffee. You can have fun and try different kinds of chocolate.
Line Your Baking Sheet Properly.
Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, making sure it extends over the edges. This makes cleanup easier and prevents the toffee from sticking to the pan.
Shopping list & nutritional values.
40 Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Butter cookies
1 cup of unsalted butter
1 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp of quality vanilla extract
12 oz of quality chocolate
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 8 mins Makes: 30 pieces
What I used: Baking Pan, Baking Sheet
How to Make It.
Prepare the Baking Pan: Line a baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring it covers the entire surface and extends slightly over the edges for easy removal later. Arrange 40 butter cookies in a single layer on the parchment paper, making sure there are no gaps between the cookies. This will form the base of your Christmas Crack.
Make the Toffee: In a small sauce pot, melt the butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning. Once the butter is melted, add the brown sugar and continue to stir. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly to ensure it doesn’t burn. The mixture should thicken and turn a rich, caramel color.
Bake: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Carefully pour the hot toffee mixture over the layer of butter cookies, spreading it evenly with a spatula to cover all the cookies. Place the baking pan in a preheated oven set to 350°F (175°C) on convection bake. Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the warm toffee-covered cookies. Return the pan to the oven for about 1 minute, just until the chocolate chips begin to melt. Remove from the oven and use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly over the toffee layer.
Cool and Chill: Allow the pan to cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Then, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, or until the toffee and chocolate are completely set.
Serve and store: Once chilled, break the Christmas Crack into pieces. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for longer storage.
These are so addictive you won’t need to store them for long! 🎄🍬
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Bon Appétit y’all!
—Montréal Texan