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.
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great, addictive, making more for Christmas…
Awesome! :)
Ok the recipe never called for unsalted butter :( but my question is do you count down the 3 minutes once it comes to a rolling boil?? and I used salted butter oops ot good ;)
Yes, you start timing once it is at a rolling boil. :)
Recipe please, looks great
havent tried your recipes yet
Let me know when you do! :)
I made these and they came out soggy :/
How disappointing Brenda. Did you use butter (and not margarine)? Did you let your toffee boil at a rolling boil for a full 3 minutes?
I’m a little confused. The recipe says butter but in a couple of comments I’ve seen you ask if they used unsalted butter. Which are we suppose to use? Anxious to try making this. Been looking for something to make our neighbor that has to eat gluten free. This is perfect. Thank you!
I just wanted to ensure people were using butter (and not margarine as certain types of margarine may not set up well). I used unsalted but either would work in this recipe!
Made today..can’t wait
Wonder if it can be frozen.
I wouldn’t recommend freezing this recipe because of the chocolate.
Love your recipe!
really like your recipes so quick and easy ….
Thank you Rena!
Does it need to be kept in fridge?
I store it at room temperature.
Made this with almonds (didn’t have pecans) and it was amazing. My hubby wiped it out in 2 days! Decadent!
I’m so glad your Hubby loved it (mine loves it too)!!
Any gluten free suggestions?
You can certainly use a gluten free cracker (or pretzel) in this recipe.
.just made this. might be the easiest cookie treat I ever made. tastes great. going to make another with peanut butter chips. my family is going to love it.
So glad you enjoyed it! Peanut Butter Chips would be delicious too!
Our toffee did not harden ? Was it not cooked long enough ? We live in Florida could the humidity affect it?
I think the humidity would affect it a little.
No lie! It is crack! When ever a friend brings me some I binge.
So easy to make and yet so delicious (I bet these crackers are). Thanks for the idea!
This is amazing!!! So perfect for holidays
I love treats like this. Someone told me about a similar recipe a couple of years ago but I didn’t take it any further because I knew how much I’d like it. I guess that I’m going to have to use your recipe the day of our family Christmas cookie bake. I can try but most of it will fly! ; ]
It’s so good, you won’t be disappointed!
I make a similar recipe with graham crackers – it’s so good! Perfect for the holidays!