Christmas Crack. Imagine all of the deliciousness of toffee, topped with chocolate and pecans; once you make this toffee bark and crack it into pieces, you simply can’t stop munching!
This is one of my absolute favorite treats to make for the holidays!
It takes just minutes to prep and the results are so incredibly delicious that no one can resist eating several chunks.
© SpendWithPennies.com
A quick stovetop toffee is poured over buttery Ritz crackers and coated in chocolate and topped with pecans. Once cooled, it is cracked into chunks and ready to be enjoyed!
I have made this recipe two ways, with Ritz Crackers and Saltines, both ways are fabulous. You could substitute the pecans for the nuts of your choice; I have a feeling cashews or pistachios would make a yummy addition to the toffee, chocolate, and cracker combination!
This Ritz Cracker Toffee is made on a foil lined pan, making clean up as simple as can be! Be sure to butter your foil well to keep everything from sticking (or you can buy non-stick foil).
Considering how easy this treat is to make and eat, you will want to make several batches of this Christmas Crack to share with your friends and neighbors. It keeps perfectly at room temperature so is the perfect gift to pack up and spread delicious holiday cheer!
Recipe Notes:
I have been making this recipe for more years than I can count exactly as written below. A few readers have had trouble with their toffee being sticky or not setting quite right. While I’ve never had my toffee not set, there are many variables that can cause this.
If you have trouble with your toffee setting, my friend Meggan over at Culinary Hill suggests the use a candy thermometer to ensure your toffee reaches 270-290 degrees before pouring over the crackers.
Chocolate Chips should melt when heated however if you have trouble with them melting, you can melt them at 50% power in the microwave. If your oven is too hot, the chocolate can seize instead of melting. You’ll want your toffee to sit for about 1 minute before adding the chocolate.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 54 Ritz Crackers (or saltines)
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line an 11x17 pan with foil and grease the foil well. Line with crackers.
- In a medium saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar and stir to mix. Bring to a boil over medium heat and let come to a rolling boil for 3 minutes. Once the mixture comes to a boil, DO NOT STIR. (Your toffee should reach 270-290°F with a candy thermometer)
- Pour brown sugar mixture over the crackers. Bake 4 minutes. Turn the oven off.
- Remove from the oven and wait 1 minute. Pour chocolate chips over the top and let sit 4 minutes or until chocolate is soft (or place 1 minute in the warm oven). Spread chocolate evenly and sprinkle pecans on top.
- Cool on the counter slightly and then place into the freezer to cool completely. Break into pieces.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Candy, Dessert
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Hi Holly! Your Christmas Crack recipe is similar to a “Christmas Crackers” recipe that I’ve been making for 35 years! I’ve just passed it down to my granddaughter! Of course, my grandsons still want me to make some! lol One of the differences is that I melt the butter and brown sugar in the microwave. I may try your recipe later when not “under pressure!”
Thanks for sharing!! KL
I hope your grandsons enjoy this version just as much! :) Enjoy Katherine!
I think I’ll try this with nilla wafers too
This is very good with graham crackers also!
All I have is light brown sugar… will that work?
Yes, it will work just fine!
My sugar/butter looks watery. What did I do wrong?
Did you use regular butter? Did you let it boil the full 3 minutes at a rolling boil?
Same with mine….it was completely watery. Failed big time. :(
Unsalted butter and light brown sugar.
My butter was frozen…maybe issue.
I used 2 cups milk choc chips but they didnt melt?? Is that strange? Im still gonna sprinkle the crushed pecans and hope for the best
Did you try putting your pan in the still warm oven for a minute or two?
Even if they didn’t melt, hopefully they still stuck to the toffee. I’m sure it will be delicious.
Yes to me that is a better selection of hand foods. I’m getting tired of making the same stuff! Year after year. Thank you for better ideas and great recipes.
How do you store them after you break them? Just on the counter? In the refrigerator? I have them cooling right now but am wondering about storage…
Thank you!
I store them in a sealed container at room temperature.
can light brown sugar be used in place of dark?
Yes.
Love all the recipes and especially those that do not take lots of ingredients. Grandkids love helping in the kitchen. Easy and fun recipes.
How long does it take to cool in the freezer?
About 15-20 minutes.
Awesome recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I am getting ready to try this to take to a Christmas party. I am not real crazy about semi sweet chocolate so will make a batch with milk chocolate also.
Hello Wilma
How well did your milk choc melt? Mine would not melt well at all…it just crumbled mostly. I guess I will melt them beforehand. Otherwise still sweet light and crispy good.
Would resses pieces work instead of nuts.
Definitely!
These sound fantastic. Will be sure to try for the holidays.
Can this pecan Christmas crack be made with gluten free crackers????
Yes, that should work just fine!
can this made ahead of time how should they be stored
I just made this with the Glutino crackers and it was amazing!
I used rice crackers for my gluten free friend’s and everyone loved them.
Love your recipes!!!!! thank you for sharing
Thank you Linda!
Can you store these? For how long?
They will store for 3 to 5 days in an airtight container… if they last that long :D
The Ritz toffee looks yummy. Going pin it to my pinterest acct. Thank you.
Thank you for Pinning!
Can u make these and possibly leave out the chocolate ????? I love just plain toffee & pecans together…..
Absolutely! The toffee hardens fairly quickly so I would suggest sprinkling the pecans fairly quickly (or even sprinkling them over the crackers before pouring). Enjoy!
Certainly can make them without chocolate.
Has anyone tried white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips?
I tried white chocolate and milk chocolate, pretzels and crackers on the same pan I do prefer the white chocolate.
Yes! Butterscotch chips were delicious!!
Hi I make it with semi sweet chocolate and butterscotch neither one melt real good but it doesn’t matter it sticks enough and so so so good!! I also put coconut on mine!
Yes, using most any type of chocolate or nuts will work. I’ve even used chopped cranberries. They were a hit at work. It’s only limited to your imagination. Good luck.
This looks awesome! I’ve made this with both saltines and graham crackers, but never Ritz. Must try! And it’s soooo addictive I’m sure!
It is SO addictive for sure, the Ritz are so nice and flaky!
Try it sometime with shortbread cookies and also try dark chocolate just to change it up and be healthy. (=
Definitely healthy :) Sounds great!