If you’re looking for a treat that perfectly combines sweet, salty, crunchy, and chocolaty elements, this Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe is absolutely calling your name. It’s a ridiculously easy dessert that dazzles at every holiday gathering with its buttery toffee layer over crispy Ritz crackers, topped with melty chocolate and festive sprinkles. Once you try these, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them sooner — they’re addictive, utterly delicious, and full of holiday magic in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe comes from a handful of simple, everyday ingredients that you might already have on hand. Each one plays a crucial role, from the buttery richness to the perfect crunch and melty chocolatey topping.
- 24 Ritz crackers: The crispy, buttery base that holds all the sweet goodness together.
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks, salted or unsalted): Adds richness and creates that gooey toffee texture you’ll love.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Gives the toffee a deep caramel flavor and sticky sweetness.
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts into a smooth, shiny layer that perfectly balances the toffee’s sweetness; you can mix or swap with milk or white chocolate too.
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (or crushed candy canes, M&M’s, etc.): Adds a delightful pop of color and festive flavor on top.
How to Make Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Muffin Tin
Start by preheating your oven to 350℉ and lining each cup of a muffin tin with a cupcake or muffin liner. This little prep makes cleanup a breeze and helps keep each cookie perfectly shaped.
Step 2: Arrange the Crackers
Place one Ritz cracker into each lined muffin cup. These crackers will be the crunchy base that soaks up the luscious toffee, so make sure each cup is neatly lined with one cracker.
Step 3: Make the Toffee Sauce
In a medium pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter and add the brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil while stirring occasionally. Keep it boiling for 3 minutes until it thickens and turns a beautiful amber color — this is where the toffee magic happens.
Step 4: Pour the Toffee Over Crackers
Carefully ladle about 2 teaspoons of the hot toffee mixture onto each Ritz cracker. Pour slowly so the toffee covers the cracker evenly and doesn’t spill over the edges.
Step 5: Bake to Bubble the Toffee
Place your muffin tin in the oven and bake for 3 to 5 minutes. You want the toffee to bubble up nicely, which ensures it’s perfectly cooked and will set with that irresistible crunch.
Step 6: Add and Spread the Chocolate
Remove the muffin tin 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 into a smooth layer. If the chocolate is stubborn, pop the tin back in the oven for a minute or two until it’s silky and easy to spread.
Step 7: Top with Sprinkles
Sprinkle your choice of festive decorations over the melted chocolate while it’s still warm. Whether sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or colorful M&M’s, this step adds personality and a cheerful holiday touch.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let the cookies cool until completely set. You can leave them at room temperature or speed things up by refrigerating for 30 minutes to an hour. Once cooled, pop them out of the muffin tin and get ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive flair, consider topping your Christmas Crack Cookies with a sprinkle of sea salt or edible glitter. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also evoke a snowy holiday vibe that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet and crunchy cookies with a steaming mug of hot cocoa or a cup of spiced eggnog to complement their rich flavors perfectly. A scoop of vanilla ice cream also turns them into an indulgent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies on a holiday-themed platter adorned with fresh holly or pine sprigs for a beautiful seasonal look. Wrapping them individually in festive cellophane bags tied with ribbon is a charming way to give them as gifts to friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Christmas Crack Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. They will stay crisp and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect for nibbling throughout the holidays.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature for a couple of hours before serving.
Reheating
If you want to revive that just-made warmth, gently warm the cookies in a low oven (around 250℉) for 5 minutes. This will soften the chocolate slightly and bring back that fresh-baked charm.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cracker?
Absolutely! While Ritz crackers are classic for their buttery flavor and texture, water crackers or even saltines can work. Just keep in mind that the sweetness balance may shift slightly.
What if I don’t have a muffin tin?
You can create a similar effect using a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the crackers out evenly and pour toffee on top carefully, but a muffin tin helps keep everything neat and contained.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use a gluten-free cracker with a similar texture to Ritz crackers. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels to be sure.
Why does the chocolate sometimes not melt properly?
If the chocolate chips don’t melt quickly after the toffee comes out of the oven, your oven might be cooling down too fast. Pop them back in for a minute or two, or spread the chips while they’re still hot for best results.
Are these cookies very sweet?
These Christmas Crack Cookies walk the perfect line of sweet and salty, thanks to the buttery crackers and rich toffee. If you prefer less sweetness, try using semi-sweet or even a touch of dark chocolate to balance it out.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe has become a cherished holiday treat in so many homes, and I’m confident it will be in yours too. The combination of simple ingredients turning into something utterly irresistible makes it a perfect recipe to share with loved ones. What are you waiting for? Get baking and fill your home with the sweet, buttery smell of the holidays!
Print
Christmas Crack Cookies (Cracker Toffee Cookies) Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Crack Cookies, also known as Cracker Toffee Cookies, are a festive and addictive treat made with Ritz crackers, a buttery toffee layer, melted chocolate, and topped with colorful sprinkles or crushed candies. This quick and easy recipe combines the crunch of crackers with rich caramelized sugar and luscious melted chocolate, perfect for holiday celebrations or whenever you crave a sweet, crunchy dessert.
Ingredients
Base
- 24 Ritz crackers
Toffee Layer
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks, salted or unsalted)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
Topping
- 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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Place a cupcake or muffin liner in each cup of a muffin tin to prepare for the cookies.
- Arrange Crackers: Place one Ritz cracker into each lined muffin cup, creating the base layer of the cookie.
- Make Toffee Sauce: In a medium-sized pot over medium-low heat, melt 1 cup butter and add 1 cup packed brown sugar. Stir occasionally as the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Let it boil for 3 minutes while stirring, until it becomes bubbling and amber-colored, forming a rich toffee sauce.
- Pour Toffee Over Crackers: Remove the pot from heat and carefully ladle about 2 teaspoons of the hot toffee mixture over each cracker, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Bake Toffee: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the toffee starts to bubble, signaling it has set.
- Add Chocolate: Remove the muffin tins from the oven and immediately sprinkle 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the toffee layer. Let the chocolate chips sit for 1-2 minutes to soften, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate smoothly. If the chocolate doesn’t melt easily, return the tin to the oven for 1-2 minutes and spread again.
- Decorate: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of sprinkles or crushed candies (such as candy canes or M&M’s) over the melted chocolate for a festive touch.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely at room temperature or refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour until the chocolate firms up. 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
- You can customize the chip flavors by using milk chocolate, white chocolate, or a combination.
- If chocolate doesn’t melt properly, briefly returning the pan to the oven helps.
- Use cupcake liners to make removal easy and prevent sticking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Crushed candy canes or M&M’s add festive flavor and color variants as alternatives to sprinkles.
