If you are looking for a dessert that combines a perfect burst of sweet, salty, crunchy, and melty goodness, then this Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe is going to become your new holiday obsession. With a buttery toffee glaze and a layer of gooey chocolate, all resting on the humble Ritz cracker base, these cookies satisfy cravings like nothing else. They come together quickly and easily, making them the ideal treat for festive parties, family gatherings, or anytime you want to bring a little magic to your snack game.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe calls for a wonderfully simple list of ingredients that you probably already have or can find at any grocery store. Each element plays a crucial role: the crackers create the crunchy foundation, butter and brown sugar form the irresistible toffee layer, chocolate chips add rich, melty sweetness, and sprinkles or crushed candies provide a festive, colorful finish.
- 24 Ritz crackers: Their light, flaky texture and salty flavor perfectly balance the sweetness of the toffee and chocolate.
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks, salted or unsalted): Butter brings richness and helps create that luscious toffee coating that hardens just right.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Brown sugar lends a deep caramel flavor essential to classic toffee’s irresistible taste.
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: You can use milk, white, or a mix for the chocolate topping, adding dreamy melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.
- 1/4 cup sprinkles or crushed candy canes, M&M’s, etc.: The final pop of festive color and texture that makes these cookies truly stand out.
How to Make Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350℉ to get everything ready for a quick bake. Line each cup of a muffin tin with a cupcake or muffin liner, then place one Ritz cracker at the bottom of every cup. This setup creates the perfect structure for holding the glorious toffee topping.
Step 2: Make the Toffee
In a medium-sized pot over medium-low heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. Stir occasionally until the mixture reaches a rolling boil. Let it bubble vigorously for about 3 minutes; this is when it turns that gorgeous amber color and develops that classic toffee flavor.
Step 3: Coat the Crackers
Carefully ladle about 2 teaspoons of the hot toffee over each cracker, ensuring it’s evenly coated. This step is crucial because the toffee bonds the cracker base with the chocolate topping, creating that satisfying crunch with every bite.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place the filled muffin tin back into the preheated oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This gentle bake allows the toffee to bubble and settle perfectly on the cracker base, locking in that deep flavor and crunchy texture.
Step 5: Add the Chocolate
Pull the muffin tin out of the oven and immediately sprinkle 2 cups of chocolate chips over the hot toffee. Let the chocolate chips sit for 1 to 2 minutes to soften. Then gently spread the melted chocolate with a spatula until smooth and even. If the chocolate doesn’t melt easily, you can pop the tray back into the oven for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 6: Finish with Festive Toppings
Sprinkle your choice of 1/4 cup colorful sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or M&M’s over the melted chocolate while it’s still warm. This adds a playful holiday flair and a little extra burst of texture.
Step 7: Cool and Set
Allow the cookies to cool completely at room temperature or refrigerate them for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Once set, carefully pop them out of the muffin tin liners and get ready to impress everyone with these decadent treats.
How to Serve Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe
Garnishes
For an added touch of elegance, you can sprinkle some flaky sea salt over the chocolate after spreading it, which balances the sweetness and elevates the flavor. Dusting with a little edible gold glitter or coconut flakes can add seasonal cheer for special occasions.
Side Dishes
These Christmas Crack Cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of eggnog, hot chocolate, or your favorite holiday-spiced coffee. Offering a variety of dips such as raspberry sauce or caramel drizzle will make your dessert table even more exciting for guests.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies stacked on a festive platter lined with evergreen sprigs and cranberries for a stunning centerpiece. You can also package them in small, clear treat bags tied with ribbon for adorable gifts or party favors that’ll have everyone asking for your recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Christmas Crack Cookies store wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This keeps the toffee crisp and the chocolate shiny, so you get that perfect crunch with every bite, even days later.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later or send some as gifts, freezing works great. Wrap the cookies individually in parchment paper, then store them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll last for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven appeal, warm individual cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This gently softens the chocolate and revives the toffee’s luscious texture, making each bite feel freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use different crackers instead of Ritz for this recipe?
While Ritz crackers are ideal because of their buttery flavor and size, you can experiment with other crackers like saltines or buttery round crackers. Just keep in mind that texture and taste will vary slightly depending on the cracker’s flavor and sturdiness.
What type of chocolate works best for the topping?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are classic and provide the perfect balance to the sweet and salty elements. However, feel free to use milk chocolate for a creamier taste, white chocolate for contrast, or even a mix to add visual interest and flavor variety.
How do I prevent the toffee from burning?
Keep the heat at medium-low when cooking the butter and brown sugar, stirring frequently. Boil just long enough to create a bubbling amber toffee, usually around 3 minutes. Staying attentive and not rushing this step is key to avoid scorched bitterness.
Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute vegan butter and use dairy-free chocolate chips to accommodate dietary preferences. Just be sure your chosen crackers also meet the dietary requirement to keep the recipe fully vegan or dairy-free.
Are Christmas Crack Cookies suitable for gifting?
Yes! They make fantastic homemade gifts. Simply package them in pretty boxes or tins, add a festive ribbon, and maybe include a little note with the Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe for the recipient to recreate the magic themselves.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly joyful about sharing a batch of these Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe with friends and family during the holidays or any time you want to sprinkle some sweet happiness into your day. They’re effortless to make, crazy delicious, and guaranteed to bring big smiles. Give this recipe a try—you’ll soon understand why it’s become a beloved classic in so many homes.
Print
Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Crack Cookies, also known as Cracker Toffee Cookies, combine buttery toffee, crispy Ritz crackers, and melty chocolate, topped with festive sprinkles for a perfect holiday treat that’s easy to make and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Base
- 24 Ritz crackers
Toffee Layer
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks, salted or unsalted)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
Toppings
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or a combination)
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (or crushed candy canes, M&M’s, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ and place a cupcake or muffin liner in each muffin tin cup to prepare for baking.
- Prepare cracker base: Place one Ritz cracker in each lined muffin tin cup, creating the crunchy base for your cookies.
- Cook the toffee: In a medium pot over medium-low heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Continue to cook for 3 minutes until the mixture bubbles and turns an amber color, indicating the toffee is ready.
- Pour toffee over crackers: Remove the pot from heat and carefully ladle about 2 teaspoons of the hot toffee mixture over each Ritz cracker, ensuring each cracker is evenly coated.
- Bake the toffee: Place the muffin tins in the oven and bake for 3-5 minutes until the toffee starts to bubble, setting the base for the cookie.
- Add and melt the chocolate: Remove the tins from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Let them sit for 1-2 minutes to soften, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly. If the chocolate doesn’t melt easily, return the tins to the oven for an additional 1-2 minutes and then spread.
- Top with sprinkles: Once chocolate is spread, evenly distribute the sprinkles or candies of your choice over the top to add a festive touch.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely at room temperature, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour until set. Once cooled, pop the cookies out of the muffin tin, serve, and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge.
Notes
- Use a lined muffin tin for easy removal of cookies after cooling.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk or white chocolate for different flavors.
- Sprinkles or crushed candy canes add a festive and colorful finish but can be customized to your preference.
- Be cautious when handling hot toffee as it can cause severe burns.
- Storing the cookies in the fridge will prolong freshness but some prefer them at room temperature for softer texture.
