Christmas Candy Cracker

Creating Christmas candy has never been simpler than with this delectable cracker treat. It features a distinct base of saltine crackers, delivering a delightful blend of salty and sweet. The crackers are layered with homemade toffee, providing a satisfying crunch, and then topped off with semi-sweet chocolate and Nutella, resulting in a practically irresistible treat. To enhance its appeal, add toasted nuts, chopped candies, or vibrant sprinkles, making it an impressive addition to any cookie assortment or gift set. Moreover, with ingredients that stay shelf-stable, this chocolatey dessert maintains its freshness for more than a week!

Inquiring about the crackers in Christmas cracker candy?

The recipe employs flaky saltine crackers, adding a compelling salty and crispy element. Their square shape fits snugly in the pan, creating a seamless base. While club crackers, graham crackers, or matzos are viable alternatives, they might not fill the gaps as effectively as the square ones.

Wondering why your Christmas cracker candy is soft?

Achieving that desirable crunchy toffee hinges on reaching the right temperature with the butter and sugar mixture. For foolproof results, using a candy thermometer is highly recommended to hit the "hard-crack stage," surpassing 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If a thermometer isn't available, ensure the mixture boils for a full 5 minutes to guarantee it solidifies adequately once spread over the crackers.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray

• 1 

  sleeve salted Saltine crackers (about 45)

• 1 c. 

  unsalted butter

• 1 c. 

  firmly packed dark brown sugar

• 1 tsp. 

  vanilla extract

• 2 c. 

  semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1/2 c. 

  Nutella 

• 1 c. 

  Sprinkles for the holiday season, red and green M&M's, chopped festive candies

• 1/2 c. 

  toasted slivered almonds

Steps to Make It

01.  Cover the rimmed half-sheet pan entirely with foil and apply cooking spray.

02.  Arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer across the entire sheet pan, breaking them if needed to fit.

03.  In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and bring it to a boil until it turns into an amber caramel and reaches 300°F, typically 4 to 5 minutes. Take the mixture off the heat and blend in the vanilla. Immediately spread this concoction over the crackers, ensuring it forms an even layer.

04.  Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips at 50% power until they melt and become smooth, usually 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 15 seconds. Incorporate the Nutella into the mixture. Microwave for an additional 15 seconds for a smooth consistency. Spread this chocolate blend over the toffee-covered crackers, creating an even layer.

05.  Add toppings like sprinkles, candy, and toasted almonds. Place the crackers in the refrigerator until they solidify, typically about 2 hours.

06.  Carefully remove the foil and break the cracker candy into pieces.

Tip: Why limit this to Christmas? Try topping the cracker candy with different sprinkles or candies to match Valentine’s Day, Halloween, or any other time of the year!