Festive Christmas Cracker Candy Recipe

Crunchy Christmas Cracker Candy Recipe with a Sweet Kick

Sweet memories and festive cheer collide in this delightful christmas cracker candy that sparkles with holiday magic.

Buttery toffee layers meld with chocolate and crackers to create an irresistible treat.

Crisp saltine crackers form the perfect base for a rich, caramelized topping that melts in your mouth.

Each bite brings a delicate crunch and a wave of warm, sugary goodness.

The recipe combines simple ingredients into a spectacular dessert that looks far more complicated than it actually is.

Guests will be shocked at how such basic components transform into a gourmet-style confection.

Whip up this delectable candy and watch holiday smiles light up the room.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1-2 hours

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 212 kcal

Servings: 11

Everything Fun In Christmas Cracker Candy

For Base Layer:
  • Saltine Crackers: Provides crispy foundation for the candy, choose fresh and crisp crackers without any staleness.
  • Cooking Spray: Ensures easy release and prevents sticking to the baking sheet.
For Caramel Layer:
  • Butter: Creates rich, smooth caramel base with deep golden flavor, use unsalted for better control of sweetness.
  • Brown Sugar: Delivers deep molasses notes and helps create sticky caramel texture, darker varieties offer more intense flavor.
For Topping Layer:
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds smooth, sweet chocolate coating, semi-sweet or milk chocolate work best for balanced sweetness.
  • Holiday Sprinkles: Brings festive color and playful texture, choose seasonal colors for extra Christmas cheer.
  • Candy Canes: Offers refreshing peppermint crunch and festive appearance, crush finely for even distribution.

Easy Tools For Christmas Cracker Candy Prep

  • Baking sheet: 9×13-inch size for perfect cracker layer coverage.
  • Parchment paper or aluminum foil: Essential for easy removal and clean-up.
  • Cooking spray: Prevents sticking and helps with greasing.
  • Medium saucepan: Needed for creating rich caramel sauce.
  • Spatula: Crucial for spreading caramel and melted chocolate evenly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Helps precisely measure ingredients.
  • Oven mitts: Protects hands when handling hot baking sheet.

Steps To Make Christmas Cracker Candy Like A Pro

Steps To Make Christmas Cracker Candy Like A Pro
  • Cracker Foundation

Create a delicious base by lining a baking sheet with crackers, ensuring they cover the entire surface without any gaps. The crackers will transform into a crispy, sweet canvas for your holiday treat.

  • Caramel Magic

Craft a rich, golden caramel by melting butter and brown sugar together. Watch as the mixture bubbles and transforms into a luxurious coating that will make your taste buds dance with excitement.

  • Chocolate Transformation

Sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot caramel and let them melt into a smooth, glossy layer. Use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly, creating a decadent surface that looks almost too good to eat.

  • Festive Finishing

Add a playful touch with holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes. These colorful decorations will turn your creation into a festive masterpiece that screams holiday cheer.

  • Cooling and Sharing

Let your candy cool completely, allowing the layers to set into a crisp, brittle-like texture. Break into irregular pieces and watch as friends and family marvel at your delightful homemade treat.

Tips To Add Sparkle To Christmas Cracker Candy

  • Perfect Cracker Candy Tricks
  • Cracker Placement Precision: Arrange saltine crackers tightly without gaps to ensure complete caramel coverage and uniform texture. Crackers should touch but not overlap for best results.
  • Temperature Control Magic: Monitor caramel closely while cooking to prevent burning. The perfect caramel transforms from pale to rich amber within 3-4 minutes, requiring constant stirring and careful attention.
  • Chocolate Melting Technique: Let chocolate chips rest 2-3 minutes after sprinkling to ensure smooth, even melting without additional heating. Use spatula's gentle pressure to create seamless chocolate layer.
  • Festive Topping Creativity: Experiment with different holiday-themed decorations like crushed peppermint, colored sugar crystals, or seasonal sprinkles to match your celebration's theme.
  • Storage Secret: Store Christmas Cracker Candy in airtight container between parchment layers for up to two weeks. Keep in cool, dry place to maintain crisp texture and prevent chocolate from melting.

Festive Ways To Serve Christmas Cracker Candy

  • Sweet Holiday Treat Platter: Arrange candy pieces on a festive red or green ceramic plate, creating a beautiful holiday display that sparkles with seasonal charm.
  • Gifting Delights: Package broken candy pieces in clear cellophane bags tied with decorative ribbon, perfect for homemade holiday gifts for neighbors, teachers, or family members.
  • Dessert Companion: Serve alongside hot cocoa or coffee as a delightful sweet treat, complementing warm beverages with its rich caramel and chocolate flavors.
  • Party Snack Centerpiece: Create a stunning dessert table display by clustering candy pieces on a tiered serving stand, surrounded by small holiday figurines or evergreen sprigs.

Save Christmas Cracker Candy For Sweet Snacking

Keep the Christmas Cracker Candy in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness and flavor.

  • Chilled Preservation Method: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Freezing Technique: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for 3 months, allowing quick thawing at room temperature when craving a sweet treat.
  • Party Prep Strategy: Make the candy 2-3 days before serving to enhance flavor development and reduce last-minute cooking stress.
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Festive Christmas Cracker Candy Recipe

Festive Christmas Cracker Candy Recipe


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4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Holiday gatherings spark magic with this christmas cracker candy, a sweet and salty treat that delights guests. Chocolate-covered saltines layered with caramel create a simple yet irresistible dessert you’ll want to share with everyone.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 sleeve saltine crackers (about 40 crackers)
  • 1 cup (227 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 cups (340 g / 12 oz) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
  • 0.5 cup (50 g / 1.75 oz) holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper, creating overhangs and lightly spraying with cooking spray.
  2. Cracker Foundation: Meticulously cover the entire baking surface with saltine crackers, creating a uniform edge-to-edge base.
  3. Caramel Creation: In a medium saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Stir continuously while bringing the mixture to a rolling boil, cooking for 3-4 minutes until it transforms into a rich, amber-toned liquid.
  4. Baking Process: Pour the molten caramel evenly over the cracker base, ensuring complete coverage. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake until the caramel becomes effervescent and golden, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  5. Chocolate Layer: Immediately after removing from the oven, scatter chocolate chips across the hot caramel. Allow chips to soften for 2-3 minutes, then gently spread into a smooth, glossy layer.
  6. Festive Finishing: While the chocolate remains warm, sprinkle with holiday-themed decorations like crushed candy canes or festive sprinkles.
  7. Cooling and Serving: Allow the confection to cool completely at room temperature or expedite setting by chilling in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. Once hardened, break into rustic, irregular pieces ready for enjoyment.

Notes

  • Perfect Cracker Placement: Ensure saltine crackers fit tightly without gaps, creating a solid base for caramel and chocolate layers.
  • Caramel Temperature Control: Watch closely during boiling to prevent burning; aim for rich amber color without scorching, which can create bitter taste.
  • Chocolate Melting Technique: Allow chocolate chips to soften naturally from caramel’s residual heat, then spread gently with offset spatula for smooth, even coverage.
  • Cooling and Breaking Strategy: Let candy cool completely at room temperature for best texture, or refrigerate for faster setting; break into random shards using gentle pressure for rustic, homemade appearance.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1-2 hours
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 212
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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