Christmas Crack

The origin of the Christmas Crack recipe is not definitively attributed to one person. It has evolved as a popular holiday treat over time and is often shared and adapted by individuals across various communities. The recipe gained popularity for its simplicity, deliciousness, and the ease of customization with different toppings and variations. It is definitely one of the recipes I usually make every holiday season. I vary the ingredients slightly every year in some years incorporating dried cranberries and pecans, along with other variations in other years. Check out the variations in the Notes section playing with diverse flavors and textures, allowing you to customize the Christmas crack to suit your taste preferences or create a variety for gifting and sharing during the holidays.@sarchakra

PREP TIME: 10 mins

COOK TIME: 10 mins

YIELDS: Serves 8

Ingredients

• Graham crackers 2 sleeves to fill a half sheet pan
• Butter 2 sticks
• White or Brown sugar 1 cup, packed
• Vanilla extract 1 tsp
• Dried cranberries 1 cup (chopped)
• Pecans 1 cup, chopped
• Sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)

Method

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• On a baking sheet arrange the graham crackers in a single layer, making sure to cover the entire sheet.
• Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the graham crackers.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and vanilla. Stir until the mixture is smooth and starts to bubble. Allow it to boil for about 2 minutes without stirring.
• Pour the hot toffee mixture over the graham crackers, using a spatula to spread it evenly to coat all the crackers.
• Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 7-9 minutes, or until the toffee layer becomes bubbly and is slightly browned.
• Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries over the toffee layer.
• If using unsalted butter, sprinkle a small amount of sea salt on top for a sweet-and-salty contrast.
• Allow the Christmas Crack to cool completely. You can speed up the process by placing it in the refrigerator for about an hour.
• Once completely cooled and set, break the Christmas Crack into pieces.

Notes

If using salted butter avoid adding any extra sea salt in the last step.

if you have a chocolate lover in your family use 2 cups of chocolate chips. Once you remove the baking sheet from the oven after the toffee layer bakes, immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the toffee. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to melt and soften, then spread the melted chocolate over the toffee with a spatula. Continue with the rest of the recipe adding the cranberries or nuts.

Swap the pecans for almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts for a different nutty flavor.

Use saltine crackers instead of graham crackers.

Experiment with different dried fruits such as chopped dried cherries, apricots, or even a mix of fruits for a colorful twist.

Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a sprinkle of cayenne or chili powder to the toffee mixture for a spiced kick.

Instead of or in addition to the semi-sweet chocolate, drizzle or layer white chocolate for a two-tone effect and added sweetness.

Add a layer of toffee bits and sliced almonds on top of the melted chocolate.

White chocolate chips can also be topped with crushed peppermint candy for a festive peppermint crunch.

Substitute dark chocolate for the semi-sweet, and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top.

Decorate with colorful holiday sprinkles for a fun and cheerful appearance.