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Christmas Crackers Recipe: Salty, Crunchy Caramel and Chocolate Treat Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 85 reviews
  • Author: Julian
  • Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 35 pieces 1x

Description

Christmas Cracker Candy is a delightful holiday treat featuring saltine crackers coated with rich brown sugar caramel and topped with melted semi-sweet chocolate. This classic salty and crunchy candy is easy to make, does not require precise candy thermometers, and can be customized with nuts, coconut flakes, or sprinkles for added texture and flavor. Perfect for festive occasions, it combines buttery caramel, crisp crackers, and smooth chocolate in one irresistible bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Cracker Base

  • 28 to 35 saltine crackers (about one sleeve, enough to line your tray)

Caramel Coating

  • 1 cup (220g) firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup (225g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Topping

  • 2 cups (10 to 12 ounces) chopped good-quality semi-sweet chocolate

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with nonstick aluminum foil, ensuring the foil covers the bottom and sides completely. If using regular heavy-duty foil, spray it lightly with baking spray. Arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer to cover the bottom of the pan.
  2. Make the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the dark brown sugar, unsalted butter, and kosher salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the butter melts. Continue cooking and stirring for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture boils and the sugar fully melts and emulsifies with the butter into a smooth caramel sauce. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Avoid boiling longer than 30 seconds to prevent graininess.
  3. Pour Caramel Over Crackers: Immediately pour the hot caramel sauce evenly over the arranged saltine crackers. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread and coat the crackers completely.
  4. Bake the Candy: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes. The caramel will become hot and bubbly throughout.
  5. Melt the Chocolate: While the crackers bake, place the chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals at full power, stirring between each, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted (approximately 1.5 minutes total).
  6. Apply Chocolate Layer: Remove the pan from the oven and let the crackers cool for exactly 1 minute until the caramel stops bubbling and the crackers settle. Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel-coated crackers and spread with a spatula or butter knife until smooth.
  7. Chill Overnight: Allow the candy to cool to room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill overnight or for at least 8 hours. This cooling ensures the layers set properly without separating.
  8. Cut and Serve: Once chilled, remove the candy from the pan by gently peeling the foil away. Use a sharp chef’s knife to cut the candy into snack-sized pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze between parchment paper layers for up to two months.

Notes

  • Use chopped chocolate instead of chocolate chips to help the chocolate layer adhere better, as chips have a coating that may prevent sticking.
  • Avoid using chocolates with a very high cacao percentage as they may become brittle and separate from the cracker layer.
  • Cool the caramel-covered crackers exactly 1 minute before spreading chocolate to ensure the chocolate sticks effectively.
  • If the chocolate thickens or hardens too quickly on the caramel, re-melt it gently using a hair dryer or brief oven heating at 300°F to make it spreadable again.
  • Refrigerate overnight rather than freezing to prevent separation of the chocolate and caramel layers; if freezing is necessary, let the candy warm at room temperature for 10 minutes before breaking.
  • Feel free to add half a cup of chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or holiday sprinkles on top of the melted chocolate before chilling for extra flavor and texture.
  • You can substitute saltine crackers for Ritz crackers, graham crackers, or other crackers to vary the texture and flavor.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Candy
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas cracker candy, saltine cracker candy, holiday candy, caramel cracker candy, easy Christmas treats, chocolate caramel candy, Christmas snacks

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Find it online: https://juliandempsey.com/christmas-crackers-recipe-salty-crunchy-caramel-and-chocolate-treat-recipe/