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This pos is all about Christmas Cracker Toffee.
The Sweet-and-Salty Holiday Treat Everyone Will Beg You to Make Again
There are desserts you like and then there are desserts that disappear in ten minutes flat.
This Salted Caramel and Pecans Christmas Cracker Toffee affectionately known as Salted Caramel Christmas Cracker belongs to the second group.
Picture buttery brown-sugar toffee poured over crisp saltine crackers, smothered in chocolate, topped with toasted pecans and kissed with a sprinkle of sea salt. It’s the perfect balance of crunchy, salty, sweet and nutty wrapped up in one sheet-pan miracle.
If you’ve been searching for easy Christmas candy recipes, salted caramel holiday bark, or pecan toffee gifts, congratulations you just found your signature treat.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & foolproof: Ready in under 30 minutes — no candy thermometer required.
- Crunchy caramel bliss: That buttery toffee base sets perfectly every time.
- Beautiful for gifting: Salted pecan topping sparkles under holiday lights.
- Addictive flavor: The roasted pecans and hint of sea salt elevate each bite.
- Perfect make-ahead dessert: Keeps crisp for up to two weeks refrigerated.
🍫 Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saltine crackers | 1 sleeve (about 35 crackers) | Club crackers or grahams also work |
| Unsalted butter | 1 cup (2 sticks / 225 g) | Salted butter okay — reduce added salt |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup (200 g) | Light = mild, dark = richer caramel |
| Chocolate chips | 2 cups (340 g) | Milk or semi-sweet recommended |
| Toasted pecans | 1 cup (100 g) | Roughly chopped |
| Flaky sea salt | 1 teaspoon | Maldon or fleur de sel = perfect |
| Optional drizzle | Melted white chocolate | For fancy presentation |
🧂 Tools & Equipment
- Rimmed baking sheet (10 × 15 inch)
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Saucepan & rubber spatula
- Offset spatula for spreading
- Small bowl for pecans
🎄 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Base
Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment and lightly grease. Arrange the saltines in one snug, even layer. No gaps = no runaway caramel!
2. Make the Toffee
In a medium saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, whisking occasionally.
Once bubbling, let it cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
Tip: If the mixture separates, remove from heat and whisk vigorously until smooth again.
3. Pour & Bake
Pour hot toffee evenly over crackers, spreading quickly to coat every corner.
Bake for 5 minutes, or until the entire surface is bubbling and golden brown.
4. Add the Chocolate Layer
Remove pan from oven. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
Let sit for 2 minutes to melt from the heat, then spread into an even layer with an offset spatula.
5. Top with Toasted Pecans & Sea Salt
While the chocolate is still glossy, scatter chopped toasted pecans evenly across.
Finish with a light pinch of flaky sea salt — that contrast takes the flavor from sweet to spectacular.
6. Cool & Crack
Let the tray cool at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, then refrigerate 1 hour (or freeze 15 minutes).
Lift from pan and crack into rustic pieces.
Store airtight for up to two weeks — if it lasts that long!
🍯 How to Toast Pecans Perfectly
Toasting deepens flavor and prevents sogginess.
- Oven: Bake chopped pecans at 350 °F (175 °C) for 6–8 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Stovetop: Toast in a dry skillet over medium heat 4–5 minutes, shaking often.
When they smell nutty and turn golden, they’re ready.
🧁 Variations & Add-Ons
| Variation | Description |
|---|---|
| Maple Pecan Cracker | Add 1 Tbsp maple syrup to toffee before boiling. |
| Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cracker | Use 70 % dark chocolate and extra flaky salt. |
| Pecan Praline Cracker | Sprinkle cinnamon and brown-sugar praline crumbs on top. |
| Turtle Cracker | Add chopped caramel candies and drizzle with melted chocolate after cooling. |
💝 Gifting & Presentation Ideas
- Holiday tins: Line with parchment, layer different flavors (Peppermint Cracker, Maple Bourbon, etc.).
- Cellophane bags: Tie with red twine and add a handwritten “Made with Love” tag.
- Charcuterie-style dessert boards: Mix small toffee shards with chocolate truffles and dried fruit.
- Teacher or neighbor gifts: Stack three varieties in clear jars — instant gourmet gift.
🧂 Tips for Success
✅ Watch your caramel: Over-browned butter turns bitter fast.
✅ Use heavy-duty foil: Makes cleanup simple.
✅ Spread evenly: Thin spots = brittle; thick = sticky.
✅ Sprinkle salt at the end: Keeps it sparkly, not dissolved.
✅ Chill before cracking: Ensures clean, snappy pieces.
🧁Recipe Card
Salted Caramel and Pecans Christmas 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 brown sugar
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup toasted pecans
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line baking sheet and arrange crackers.
2️⃣ In saucepan, melt butter & sugar; boil 3–4 min. Pour over crackers.
3️⃣ Bake 5 min until bubbling. Remove; add chocolate chips & spread.
4️⃣ Top with pecans & sea salt. Cool, chill 1 hr, crack into pieces.
5️⃣ Store airtight up to 2 weeks.
🍽 Nutrition (Approx. per piece)
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | 10 g | 20 g | 16 g | 2 g |
💬 FAQ
Q: Can I use different nuts? Yes — walnuts, almonds, or cashews work too!
Q: Can I make it dairy-free? Swap vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate.
Q: How do I prevent stickiness? Cool completely and store airtight in a dry place.
Q: Why did my toffee separate? Over-boiling or high heat; next time boil gently and stir less.
Q: Can I freeze it? Yes — up to 3 months; thaw uncovered to stay crisp.
❤️ Final Thoughts
If Christmas had a signature flavor, this might be it buttery caramel meets crunchy pecans and a sparkle of sea salt. It’s comforting, giftable, and dangerously addictive the type of treat that vanishes before dinner.
So this season, skip the store-bought candy and make something memorable. Your friends will ask for the recipe. Your kitchen will smell divine. 🎄
