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This post is all about Christmas Cracker Toffee Bark.
The Rich, Crunchy, Sweet-and-Salty Treat That Feels Like Pure Holiday Luxury
When you combine buttery caramel, dark chocolate, roasted almonds, and flaky sea salt you get something almost too good to share.
This Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel & Almonds Cracker Toffee is a decadent twist on classic Christmas Cracker, but with a rich gourmet vibe. It’s got the perfect mix of textures; crisp cracker base, smooth caramel layer, glossy dark chocolate top and crunchy roasted almonds sprinkled with sea salt.
Think of it as your favorite candy bar but homemade, fancier and ten times easier.
This is the kind of holiday treat that wins cookie exchanges, impresses guests, and disappears before the party even starts.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bittersweet meets buttery. Dark chocolate and caramel balance perfectly with sea salt.
- 5 ingredients, 30 minutes. Simple enough for beginners, elegant enough for gifting.
- No candy thermometer. Foolproof, fast, and festive.
- Stays fresh for weeks. Ideal for make-ahead gifts or dessert trays.
- Addictive texture. Crispy, crunchy, creamy — every bite is pure bliss.
🍫 Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saltine crackers | 1 sleeve (about 35 crackers) | Substitute graham crackers or matzo if desired |
| Unsalted butter | 1 cup (2 sticks / 225 g) | Use high-quality butter for best flavor |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup (200 g) | Dark brown = deeper caramel flavor |
| Dark chocolate chips | 2 cups (340 g) | Use 60–70% cacao for perfect richness |
| Roasted almonds | 1 cup | Coarsely chopped; can use whole or slivered |
| Flaky sea salt | 1 teaspoon | Maldon or fleur de sel recommended |
| Optional: Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | Adds depth to caramel |
| Optional: White chocolate | ¼ cup (for drizzle) | Adds visual contrast |
🎄 Equipment
- Rimmed baking sheet (10 × 15 inch)
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Medium saucepan
- Offset spatula
- Heatproof spoon or whisk
🍬 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and Line Your Pan
Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment and lightly grease it.
Arrange saltine crackers side by side, covering the surface completely in a single layer.
2. Make the Salted Caramel
In a medium saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat.
Once melted, bring to a gentle boil and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly.
Stir in vanilla extract if using. The caramel should be smooth, glossy, and bubbling.
Tip: Don’t overboil — once it pulls away from the sides, it’s ready.
3. Pour and Bake
Pour the hot caramel evenly over your crackers, spreading quickly with a spatula to coat every edge.
Bake for 5 minutes, until the caramel is bubbling all over and slightly darkened.
Remove from the oven and set on a heat-safe counter.
4. Add Dark Chocolate
Immediately sprinkle dark chocolate chips over the hot caramel layer.
Let them sit for 2–3 minutes to melt, then spread into a smooth, glossy coating using an offset spatula.
5. Add Almonds & Sea Salt
While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle roasted almonds evenly across the surface.
Finish with a light dusting of flaky sea salt — it’s the secret to that addictive sweet-salty bite.
For extra flair, drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for a marble effect.
6. Cool, Crack & Serve
Let the toffee cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for 1 hour (or freeze for 20 minutes) until fully set.
Lift out of the pan using the foil and break into rustic pieces.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerated for longer shelf life.
🍫 Flavor Variations
| Variation | Description |
|---|---|
| Almond Joy Toffee | Add shredded coconut before the chocolate sets. |
| Dark Chocolate Pistachio Crunch | Swap almonds for pistachios and add orange zest. |
| Sea Salt Mocha Toffee | Stir 1 tsp espresso powder into caramel for a coffee kick. |
| Nut-Free Caramel Crack | Skip nuts and add pretzel bits or puffed rice for crunch. |
💝 Gifting & Serving Ideas
This recipe makes gorgeous edible gifts — elegant, simple, and perfectly packaged.
🎁 Gift tins: Line with parchment and layer shards neatly. Tie with gold or black ribbon for a chic touch.
🎄 Clear treat bags: Perfect for teacher gifts or neighbor surprises.
🍷 Dessert boards: Pair with chocolate bark, truffles, and fruit for a holiday dessert grazing board.
🥂 Party favors: Add a tag that says “Homemade with Love (and Chocolate).”
🍥Recipe Card
Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel & Almonds Cracker Toffee
Yields 35–40 pieces | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 10 min | Chill: 1 hr
Ingredients
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup roasted almonds, chopped
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line baking sheet, arrange crackers.
2️⃣ Melt butter + sugar in saucepan, boil 3–4 min until thick.
3️⃣ Pour over crackers, bake 5 min until bubbly.
4️⃣ Sprinkle dark chocolate chips, let melt, spread smooth.
5️⃣ Add almonds + sea salt, drizzle white chocolate if desired.
6️⃣ Cool 1 hr, crack apart. Store airtight for up to 2 weeks.
🍽 Nutrition (Approx. per piece)
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180 | 11 g | 19 g | 16 g | 2 g |
💬 FAQ
Q: Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark?
Yes! It’ll be sweeter and pair nicely with almonds, though dark gives a more elegant balance.
Q: Can I make this nut-free?
Definitely — use crushed pretzels or toffee bits instead for crunch.
Q: Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, just use gluten-free saltines or matzo crackers.
Q: How long does it last?
It keeps up to 2 weeks at room temp or 3 months frozen.
Q: Can I use sliced almonds instead of chopped?
Yes — they toast beautifully and look delicate for gifting.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel & Almonds Toffee is everything you want in a holiday dessert — elegant, crave-worthy, and unbelievably easy.
The crack of crisp caramel, the richness of dark chocolate, and the crunch of almonds dusted with sea salt make every bite feel indulgent and festive.
Serve it at parties, gift it in jars, or snack on it while wrapping presents — just don’t expect leftovers.
Because once you taste that perfect mix of sweet, salty, and dark chocolate magic, you’ll understand why this version of Christmas Crack deserves a permanent spot in your holiday lineup.
