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Indulge in the ultimate holiday treat with this delicious Christmas Crack Cookies recipe. Perfect for sharing at parties or as a gift for loved ones, these addictive cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite. Plus they will be something new to try everyone as opposed to the good old regular Christmas crack.
This is the best Christmas Crack Cookie Recipe
This year, you have to try this new spin on a traditional holiday treat, the beloved Christmas Crack! I’ve seen this easy recipe floating around the internet for a while but obviously had to add my own twist to it by making it with brown butter to create an irresistbly crunchy, sweet, and packed with flavor treat.
This cookie recipe will quickly become your go to, made it a handful of simple ingredient, you won’t be able to making it or stop eating it either!
Whether you are making this as a Christmas holiday cookie, for your festive gatherings, as egible gifts, or just because you want to use up leftover Christmas Crack, this is the recipe for you!
Since you are here, check out my Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark Recipe, this Ritz Cracker Toffee Recipe, and my Easy Saltine Christmas Crack Recipe!
Table of Contents
- This is the best Christmas Crack Cookie Recipe
- Ingredients for this Christmas Crack cookies recipe
- How to make the best Christmas crack cookies recipe
- Pro Tips For Successful Cookies
- Why do you need to make this Christmas Crack Cookies recipe?
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
- The Best Christmas Crack Cookies Recipe
- Christmas Crack Cookies Recipe
- If you enjoyed this Christmas crack cookies recipe make sure to pin it for later!
Ingredients for this Christmas Crack cookies recipe
Here are the ingredients you will need to make these holiday cookies. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
Christmas Crack
- Saltines, Ritz Crackers , or even Pretzels: this is where you can play around with whatever you prefer. Saltine toffee goes so well in this recipe but I used the Ritz cracker version and it was amazing!
- Butter: we are using unsalted butter for this recipe to control how much salt goes into our recipe.
- Brown Sugar: one of the main ingredients to make Christmas cracker candy
- Vanilla Extract
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: this is the more traditional chocolate to use for this saltine cracker toffee, but feel free to use white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or even dark chocolate chips!
- Pecans: this will depend on your own preference but I love adding nuts to my christmas crack so you can do this or omit it completely!
Cookie Dough
- Butter: no need to worry about your butter being at room temperature because we will melt and brown it before using it in out cookies.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: this is a regular combination to make chocolate chip cookies which is kinda close to what this recipe is going to be. Except we’re mixing in with Christmas crack!
- Vanilla Extract: this will add a little extra depth to our cookies.
- Eggs
- Salt
- Baking Powder
- Flour
How to make the best Christmas crack cookies recipe
This is how you can make these delicious cookies. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
Make the Christmas Crack
- Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil then lay your saltines or crackers in one single layer.
- In a medium pan over medium heat, melt the butter with the brown sugar.
- Once it comes to a rolling boil, leave it alone for 4-5 minutes.
- Pour that mixture over the crackers evenly , bake in the oven.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the warm bubbly toffee layer and allow it to melt.
- Spread the melted chocolate with an offset spatula then sprinkle with the nuts if using.
- Chill in the fridge or freezer until the chocolate and toffee sets.
- Once everything is set, chop the Christmas crack with a sharp knife
Make the Cookies
- Brown the butter in a medium sauce pan. You’ll know it’s ready when you smell a nutty aroma coming from your butter.
- Pour the melted butter in a bowl then place that in a larger bowl full of ice water. Whisk continuously until the butter sets and becomes harder.
- Add the brown butter to a mixing bowl with the brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix to combine.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until combined.
- Fold in the flour, baking soda, and salt then mix in the chopped up Christmas crack.
- Scoop the cookie dough balls, place them on a parchment paper baking sheet, top with more Christmas crack pieces, and chill in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight. You can also store it in the freezer for another time.
- Once you are ready to bake your cookies, preheat the oven, then place your chilled cookie dough balls on the baking sheet you are going to bake them on. Making sure to keep the cookies at least 2 inches apart since they will spread a little.
- Allow the cookies to cool down completely before enjoying!
Pro Tips For Successful Cookies
- Work quickly once the caramel is ready, drizzle it over your creackers before placing it in the oven. The caramel tends to set quickly so we don’t want it to harden on you. Just make sure to work carefully because it’s very hot!
- Chill your Christmas crack before chipping it with a shark knife to get good pieces to mix into the dough.
- Don’t worry about the smaller pieces of toffee that fall behind after you cut the cookies, those can also be mixed into the cookie dough or even on top of your cookies.
Why do you need to make this Christmas Crack Cookies recipe?
- These are a different way to enjoy your favorite holiday treat this holiday season!
- It’s super customizable and can be really adjusted to your own likings and preferences.
- This is a fantastic way to bring a new twist to old school treats to surprise everyone at your next holiday party!
- It is the perfect sweet and salty treat with the perfect amount of crunch to toffee bits to chocolate in every bite!
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
How do I store these cookies?
Store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also do the same but in the refrigerator, which will make them last you a little longer.
You can also place your cookies in an airtight container or a freezer bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Whenever you are ready to enjoy them, allow them to thaw completely before enjoying!
Do I need a candy thermometer?
You don’t really need it but it pretty helpful if you are not used to working with sugar. This will allow you to really make the perfect Christmas crack cookies recipe since it is made with a homemade toffee.
Can I use different types of Cracker?
Of course! Traditionally this is made with saltine crackers but you can substitute those with Ritz crackers, graham crackers, or even pretzels for a slightly different texture and flavor profile.
Can I make these Christmas Crack Cookies recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely, we freeze these cookies to allow the flour to absorb the liquids in this recipe so you can make them ahead ot time and pull them out whenever you are craving a sweet treat. BAke them as per the directions in the recipe card.
What are some other variations I can try for this recipe?
- Add more mix-ins! I only added Christmas Crack pieces into my cookie dough and that was more than enough because they had both toffee, chocolate, and nuts in them but you would also add in some more nuts, or even more chocolate chips if you enjoy that.
- Crushed Candy Canes can be a great addition to your cookies for a very festive vibe. The peppermint flavor goes so well for
- Drizzle some melted chocoalte on top and sprinkle some of your favorite festive sprinkles on there to make even more holiday inpired!
The Best Christmas Crack Cookies Recipe
Christmas Crack Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
For the Christmas Crack Layer:
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 25-30 Saltine crackers like Saltines or Ritz, enough to cover your baking sheet
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- toasted chopped nuts and sea salt optional
For the Cookies (doubled base recipe):
- 1 cup butter browned and cooled down
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 & 1/3 cups flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Prepare the Christmas Crack Layer
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Arrange the crackers in a single layer to completely cover the bottom of the sheet.25-30 Saltine crackers
- In a saucepan, melt ½ cup butter and ½ cup packed brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once it start to boil, leave the mixture alone without stirring for 4-5 minutes.½ cup butter, ½ cup packed brown sugar
- Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the crackers and quickly spread it with a spatula. Bake for 5 minutes, or until bubbly. Turn off the oven.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. Let sit for 2 minutes, then spread the melted chocolate evenly across the caramel. Top with chopped toasted nuts, and some flakey sea salt.1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, toasted chopped nuts and sea salt
- Let the Christmas crack layer cool completely before using it in the cookies (refrigerate or freeze whenever it cools down enough).
- Chop it into smaller pieces and set aside.
Brown the Butter for Cookies
- Melt 1 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously as it foams and turns golden brown, releasing a nutty aroma with brown bits forming at the bottom.1 cup butter
- Pour the melted butter in a bowl then place that in a larger bowl full of ice water. Whisk continuously until the butter sets and becomes harder.
Make the Cookie Dough
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer, Mix the brown butter with 1 cup brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar for about 2 minutes. Add 2 eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.1 cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.2 & 1/3 cups flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Fold in the chopped Christmas crack until evenly distributed into the cookie dough.
- Using a cookie scoop (about 4 tablespoons), scoop the cookie dough. Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet, top with more chopped up christmas crack and freeze for 2 hours or overnight.
Assemble and Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350F then line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the chilled cookie dough balls on the your prepared baking sheet when you are ready to bake them leaving 2 inches between each. Bake them for 13 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 20 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you enjoyed this Christmas crack cookies recipe make sure to pin it for later!
I have my cookie dough balls chilling in the fridge now for 3 hrs. is it necessary to freeze the dough balls? you bake them from frozen??
They are baked from frozen but chilled is fine too, I would just check them one minute earlier than it says.
im curious as to what the difference is between recipes for Christmas crack that say to “stir constantly” the butter/brown sugar and others like yours say “don’t stir”?? what’s the difference??
Both work, they’re just different techniques. Stirring is useful when cooking at a higher temp or if you’re nervous about burning. Stirring too much can sometimes cause the sugar to crystallize, leading to a grainy texture. My version skips stirring to keep things simple and to avoid grainy or greasy toffee.
This recipe is outrageous. It has quickly become my family’s favorite recipe. I can’t eat enough… well done.
Thank you so much Hannah!