This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Saltine Cracker Toffee, also known as Christmas Crack, is the ultimate holiday treat made with only five simple ingredients. A layer of buttery crackers gets topped with caramelized brown sugar, melted chocolate, and a swirl of peanut butter, creating that perfect balance of salty, sweet, and crunchy in every bite. This easy Christmas crack recipe is a holiday staple that’s quick to make and absolutely addictive.
Whether you call it saltine Christmas crack or saltine toffee, it’s a treat that always disappears fast from cookie trays. Perfect for holiday gifting or serving alongside classics like our Best Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Rum Balls, or even a Churro Christmas Tree, this is the easiest Christmas candy you’ll ever make.
What Makes Saltine Cracker Toffee Work
The beauty of Saltine Cracker Toffee lies in its simplicity: just five pantry staples come together to create a candy that tastes far more indulgent than the effort it takes. The saltine crackers form a crisp, buttery base that balances the rich sweetness of the caramel and chocolate.
What makes this easy Christmas crack recipe truly shine is the contrast of flavors and textures. The caramel seeps into the crackers for a melt-in-your-mouth crunch, the chocolate adds smooth richness, and the peanut butter swirl gives it a nutty, irresistible finish. It’s the perfect mix of salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy, all in one festive bite.
What Goes Into Saltine Cracker Toffee
This Saltine Cracker Toffee comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients, each one playing an important role in creating that irresistible salty-sweet crunch. Here are the stars of the recipe:
- Saltine Crackers: The crisp and lightly salted base that holds everything together while adding just the right amount of crunch.
- Butter and Brown Sugar: These melt down into a rich caramel layer that soaks into the crackers, giving the toffe e its signature sweet chew.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Smooth, melty chocolate balances the sweetness of the caramel and creates a luscious topping.
- Peanut Butter Chips (Reese’s): Swirled into the chocolate, they add nutty flavor and a creamy finish that makes this version extra special.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Saltine Cracker Toffee
- Prep Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
- Arrange Crackers: Lay saltine crackers in a single layer to cover the tray. Break a few in half if needed to fill any gaps.
- Make Toffee: Melt butter over low, then stir in sugar and increase to medium. Bring to a boil and cook until deep caramel in color.
- Coat Crackers: Immediately pour the hot toffee over the crackers. Working quickly, spread it into an even layer with a spatula.
- Bake and Melt: Bake for 4–5 minutes until the toffee is bubbling. Remove, sprinkle chocolate chips over the top, return to the oven for 2 minutes to soften, then spread into a smooth layer.
- Swirl and Set: Scatter peanut butter chips over the chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes, then swirl with a fork. Cover and refrigerate until firm, peel off the foil, break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.
A batch of Saltine Cracker Toffee is even more irresistible when paired with cozy holiday treats. Try it alongside Cappuccino French Toast with Coffee Cream for a sweet breakfast-style indulgence that doubles as dessert.
For drinks, keep things festive with a mug of Nutella Hot Chocolate or the extra-indulgent Peanut Butter Nutella Hot Chocolate. The creamy richness of these drinks balances the salty-sweet crunch of the toffee, making the whole spread feel warm, cozy, and holiday-perfect.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes! While classic saltines give the perfect salty crunch, graham crackers, Ritz, or even matzo can be used for a fun twist.
Not at all. The peanut butter swirl is optional; you can swap it with white chocolate, butterscotch, or leave it as classic chocolate saltine toffee.
Make sure the caramel is hot and spread evenly before topping with chocolate chips. Let the heat from the toffee melt them before spreading.
You might also like
Get a free eBook!
Subscribe to Cafe Delites FOR FREE and receive recipes straight into your inbox!
Christmas Crack
Ingredients
- 35-40 saltine crackers broken into individual squares
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 8 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
- 4.5 oz peanut butter chips Reese's
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminium foil or parchment paper (baking paper). Spray with non-stick spray.
- Arrange crackers in a single layer in rows on the tray. (You may need to break some crackers in half to fit the last column.) Set aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter on low heat. Add the brown sugar and increase heat to medium. Bring the toffee to a boil while continuously stirring, then allow to boil for 3 minutes until it turns caramel in colour (set a timer if you need too).
- Pour the toffee over the crackers. Working quickly, spread the toffee evenly over the crackers with a spatula.
- Bake in hot oven for 4-5 minutes or until beginning to bubble. Remove from the oven and top with chocolate chips. Return to the oven for a further 2 minutes (for the chocolate chips to melt), remove, then spread the melted chocolate over the top with a clean spatula or knife.
- Add the peanut butter chips on the chocolate, let sit for 2 minutes to melt, and using the end of a fork, swirl the melted peanut butter chips through the chocolate.
- Cover with foil and refrigerate until set or freeze for 15 minutes until chilled.
- Peel the foil off of the back of the crackers; break up into pieces and serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I used Hershey’s milk chocolate chips. I was a little nervous at first to use them, but actually I think they are going to be the best batch ive ever made!! Can’t wait to try them…
Does it matter if you use light or dark brown sugar?
Can you melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips on the stove and pour over the top. My chocolate is grainy when melting in the oven. Just curious if anyone tried that.
Is it ok to use chocolate melting wafers instead of chocolate chips. I use wafers for almond bark and they melt really well.
can you use butterscotch chips instead of the peanut butter chips…i picked up the wrong bag…lol…
HI Judy! That’s a great question! You can try them. I’m sure that they will melt though? If they don’t melt, you can always crush them and sprinkle them over the top. YUM!
I just made this recipe and used skor bits instead of pb chips. Can’t wait for it cool enough to try!! I think it’ll be sweet but oh so good!
Why won’t my chocolate chips melt?! I assure you they’re good quality and the base is bubbling before I sprinkle them on top and bubbling when I hear again for the two minutes. I even tried heating them more than 2 mins 🙁
Cat! I hope I’m not too late! Can you return the tray back into the warmed oven for 5 minutes (the oven turned off) for 5 minutes. They need warmth.