The holidays have a way of making us crave the simple joys, don’t they? A pot of cocoa, the glow of twinkling lights, and a tray of Christmas Crack waiting on the counter. This quick little candy—sweet, salty, and crunchy—always disappears faster than I can make it. Luckily, it comes together in minutes with just four pantry staples.
Table of Contents
What is Christmas Crack?
Christmas Crack, also called Saltine Toffee, Pine Bark, or Candy Crack, is a layered candy that starts with a base of saltine crackers. You pour a bubbling mix of butter and brown sugar over them, bake for a few minutes, then cover everything with melted chocolate. Once chilled, it breaks apart into golden shards that taste like buttery toffee with a salty crunch.
The texture is addictively crisp, while the flavor balances sweet and salty in the most satisfying way. No wonder it shows up on so many holiday trays year after year.

Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Christmas Crack is its short ingredient list:
- Saltine crackers (or Ritz if you like a buttery swap)
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup dark or light brown sugar
- 12 oz. chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, dark, or even white chocolate)
Optional toppings keep it fun. Chopped pecans are classic, but crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or toasted coconut add festive flair.
Baking Supplies
Here’s all you need to pull it off:
- 9×13” baking pan
- Non-stick aluminum foil
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups
- Silicone hot pads
- Cooling rack

How to Make Christmas Crack (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Line a 9×13″ pan with foil. Arrange saltines in a single layer.
- In a saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar. Bring to a rolling boil, then stir for 3 minutes.
- Pour the bubbling toffee over the crackers, coating them evenly.
- Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 7 minutes.
- Pull it out and scatter chocolate chips over the hot layer.
- Wait a moment, then spread melted chocolate smooth with a spatula.
- Sprinkle on pecans or other toppings if you like.
- Transfer pan to the fridge to cool until firm.
- Once hardened, break into rustic pieces and enjoy.

Tips & Variations
- For smoother chocolate, melt it separately in the microwave or a double boiler. Then spread it quickly over the hot toffee base.
- Store pieces in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last up to two weeks or freeze beautifully for a month.
- Try a swirl of white chocolate on top or scatter festive sprinkles for a kid-friendly batch.
FAQ
Why do they call it Christmas Crack?
The name comes from two things: the way it cracks apart once chilled and the fact that it’s hard to stop eating once you start.
How long to let Christmas Crack set?
At least one hour in the fridge. You want the chocolate and toffee fully hardened before breaking.
What can I put on Christmas Crack?
Chopped pecans, sprinkles, sea salt, mini M&Ms, or crushed candy canes all work well.
What’s the point of a Christmas cracker?
The candy and the party popper share a name but are very different. The traditional cracker is a festive tube that pops open with a toy or paper crown inside.
More Such Recipes
Pair this with Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies for a festive dessert table.
Or try a Classic Chocolate Yule Log Recipe to pair with your Christmas Crack for a showstopper.
Add balance with Whipped Shortbread Cookies that melt in your mouth.
And don’t miss Christmas Popcorn Candy for a crunchy, sweet holiday treat.

Conclusion
Christmas Crack is the kind of recipe that proves holiday magic doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you get a treat that delights everyone who tastes it. Make a batch to share, package some as gifts, or sneak a piece late at night with a glass of milk.
You’ll find more holiday recipe ideas and inspiration on Pinterest or over on Facebook.
Print
Christmas Crack Recipe – Irresistibly Easy Holiday Candy
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
Description
A buttery, sweet, salty toffee treat made with saltine crackers, brown sugar, butter, and chocolate.
Ingredients
Saltine crackers, enough to cover a 9×13 inch pan
1 cup dark brown sugar, or light brown sugar
1 cup butter
12 oz chocolate chips, semi sweet or milk or dark or white
Optional 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Optional festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes
Optional Ritz crackers as a substitute for saltines
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Line a 9×13 inch pan with non stick foil. Place a single layer of saltines.
3. In a saucepan combine butter and brown sugar. Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 3 minutes while stirring.
4. Pour the hot toffee evenly over the crackers.
5. Bake for 7 minutes.
6. Remove the pan. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot base.
7. Let the chips soften. Then spread the chocolate evenly with a spatula.
8. Add toppings like chopped pecans or sprinkles if you like.
9. Refrigerate until cool and firm.
10. Break into pieces and serve.
Notes
For easier spreading, melt chocolate separately in a microwave or double boiler.
This treat is also known as Christmas Crack, Candy Crack, or Pine Bark.
You only need 4 base ingredients, so it comes together quickly.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freeze up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 154
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 105
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 31