Introduction
This Christmas season, indulge in a festive treat that promises to delight your taste buds without any chocolate involved! Christmas Crack is an irresistibly crunchy confection that beautifully balances salty and sweet flavors. With its delightful toffee layer and crunchy nut topping, this treat is bound to become a staple in your holiday celebrations. Perfect for sharing with family and friends or simply enjoying yourself, this simple yet satisfying recipe will have you coming back for seconds.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
- For the Base:
- 40 saltine crackers
- For the Toffee Layer:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- For the Topping:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (your choice of pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: about 20 pieces
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Carefully arrange saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared sheet, ensuring they fit snugly like puzzle pieces.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and sugar. Stir until melted, smooth, and starting to bubble—this is your toffee magic!
4. Pour the bubbling toffee evenly over the saltines, spreading it gently with a spatula.
5. Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure bubbling continues without burning.
6. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot toffee layer. Let them sit for a minute to melt, then spread evenly with a spatula.
7. Sprinkle your chosen chopped nuts over the warm chocolate layer for that extra crunch.
8. Let the tray cool completely, then refrigerate for about 2 hours to set. Once firm, break into bite-sized pieces and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Per serving, each delightful piece contains approximately: 150 kcal, 20g Carbohydrates, 2g Protein, 7g Fat, and 10g Sugar.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Arrange Saltine Crackers
Carefully arrange 40 saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared sheet, ensuring they fit snugly like puzzle pieces.
Step 3: Prepare the Toffee Layer
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup of unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Stir until melted, smooth, and starting to bubble—this is your toffee magic!
Step 4: Pour the Toffee
Pour the bubbling toffee evenly over the saltines, spreading it gently with a spatula.
Step 5: Bake in the Oven
Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure bubbling continues without burning.
Step 6: Add Chocolate Chips
Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips over the hot toffee layer. Let them sit for a minute to melt, then spread evenly with a spatula.
Step 7: Sprinkle Chopped Nuts
Sprinkle your chosen 1 cup of chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds) over the warm chocolate layer for that extra crunch.
Step 8: Cool and Refrigerate
Let the tray cool completely, then refrigerate for about 2 hours to set. Once firm, break into bite-sized pieces and enjoy!
Notes
Storage Tips
Store the Christmas Crack in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
Variations
Feel free to experiment with different types of nuts or add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before refrigerating for an enhanced sweet and salty flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This treat makes a great addition to holiday gift baskets or as a festive dessert at gatherings.
Cook techniques
Preparing the Baking Sheet
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the toffee from sticking and make for easier cleanup.
Arranging Saltine Crackers
Carefully place saltine crackers in a single layer, ensuring they fit snugly without overlapping.
Making Toffee
Combine butter and granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the mixture is melted, smooth, and begins to bubble.
Baking the Toffee
After pouring the toffee over the arranged crackers, bake it at 400°F for about 5 minutes. Monitor closely to prevent burning.
Melting Chocolate
Once removed from the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot toffee layer. Let them sit for a minute to melt before spreading.
Adding Nuts
Sprinkle chopped nuts over the melted chocolate for extra texture and flavor.
Cooling and Setting
Allow the tray to cool completely before refrigerating it for about 2 hours to set the chocolate and toffee layers.
FAQ
Can I use different types of crackers?
Yes, you can experiment with other types of crackers or even pretzels for a unique flavor.
What if I don’t have parchment paper?
If you don’t have parchment paper, you can lightly grease the baking sheet with butter or cooking spray.
Can I make this treat in advance?
Yes, Christmas Crack can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.
Is it possible to skip the nuts?
Absolutely! You can leave out the nuts if you prefer or substitute them with seeds for a nut-free version.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover Christmas Crack in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Conclusion
Christmas Crack is a delightful combination of salty and sweet that is perfect for holiday gatherings. Enjoy making this treat and sharing it with friends and family!
More recipes suggestions and combination
Santa’s Pretzel Treats
Combine pretzels with melted chocolate and festive sprinkles for a fun twist.
Caramel Corn
Make a sweet, crunchy caramel corn for a delightful snack during the festive season.
Peanut Butter Bars
Create a no-bake peanut butter dessert to satisfy the sweet tooth during the holidays.
Holiday Chex Mix
Mix Chex cereals with nuts, pretzels, and a sweet coating for a savory-sweet snack.
Eggnog Fudge
Make rich, creamy fudge flavored with eggnog for a festive treat.
