This Easy 5-Ingredient Christmas Crack Recipe is a holiday favourite! It’s sweet, salty, caramel-y and so chocolate-y.

Christmas Crack seems to be one of the few recipes people ask for, search for and make every year at Christmas. I’m a bit of a late comer to this phenomenon, but it’s never too late. This 5-Ingredient recipe is simple to make and is a definite crowd pleaser! Perfect for cookie trays, holiday snack tables, cookie exchanges and gift giving.

What exactly is Christmas Crack?

I know, I know, the name of this treat is terrible. And I hesitated using it, but this is the name it was given and it’s the name everyone knows so I’m going with it. It’s fine. Anyway, what is Christmas Crack? Simply put it’s a layer of crackers, covered in a layer of caramel, covered in a layer of chocolate. Simple and delicious!

I dare you to eat only one piece!

Once you eat one piece, you’ll want another, then another, then you’ll sneak back later for another.

Chocolate + caramel + crackers = DELICIOUS

There’s just something so irresistible about the cracker/caramel/chocolate combination.

Made with easy to get ingredients!

So if you’re looking for a simple treat for the holidays this is a great one to make, especially because I bet you have almost all, if not all, of the ingredients in your pantry already!

Layers of tasty tasty!

I mean just look at those layers of deliciousness. Enjoy!

On a side note, I have to share this picture of my little kitchen buddy, Molly. While I was making this treat, I looked over and there she was, like she always is, when I’m in the kitchen. Always underfoot waiting for crumbs. Or with her head rested on a chair watching me as I cook and bake. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How to Make Christmas Crack

This 5-ingredient recipe is SO easy to make. The hardest part is waiting overnight for it to harden! Here’s a quick rundown on how to make it (the full recipe is below). First you line a cookie sheet with tin foil, then cover it in saltine crackers. Then make a simple caramel sauce that you spread over the crackers. Bake for 5 – 7 minutes.

Then remove the tray from the oven, let it rest for a minute, then sprinkle on the chocolate chips. Let the chips rest for about 1 minute then use a spatula to smooth the chocolate over the caramel layer.

Now the hard part…putting it in the fridge and waiting for it to harden. This can take several hours, but best is overnight. Some things just can’t be rushed.

Once the Christmas crack has hardened you just break it into pieces. You can just randomly break off chunks, or if you wish you can use a knife to cut it into squares…I will warn you though, it doesn’t cut very cleanly. The whole idea behind this dessert snack is that it’s rustic…I mean it’s made from crackers 😉

Recipe Tips:

Lining the Pan: Use tin foil to line the pan…tin foil is easy to shape and fit into the pan. Also, make sure to wrap the tin foil up and over the edge of the pan to ensure that none of the caramel escapes and gets under the tin foil. Refer to the images above.
Crackers: I like to use saltines, but you can also use ritz crackers (you just might need more of them).
Caramel: You are not making candy caramel for this recipe, so you don’t need to measure the temperature while you make it. Just melt the butter and sugar together and bring it to a low boil, then it’s done (the sugar should be dissolved). It will cook more in the oven.
Adding the Chocolate: Once the caramel has been spread over the crackers, the baking is done, and the pan is removed from the oven, let the caramel rest for about 1 minute before you sprinkle on the chocolate chips.
Spreading the Chocolate: Use a spatula to smooth the chocolate over the caramel layer. Make sure to go slow, and use long strokes with your spatula. If you spread the chocolate too fast the caramel layer will mix in with the chocolate. And make sure to spread the chocolate as close to the outer edges of the crackers as possible.
Topping Options: If you want to make this dessert extra delicious, you can add delicious toppings to the warm chocolate layer. Here are some ideas:
- crushed candy canes
- smarties or M&M’s
- coarse salt
- shaved white chocolate
- chopped nuts
- skor or toffee bits
Storage: Keep in an air tight container on the counter for several days.
Can Christmas Crack be frozen? I wouldn’t recommend it. Freezing could make the crackers soft and the toffee grainy.