The Best Ritz Cracker Toffee Christmas Crack Recipe

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to impress, this sweet treat recipe is a must-try. It requires minimal ingredients, comes together in under an hour, and delivers a gourmet-quality taste. Whether you’re satisfying a sudden sweet tooth or need a last-minute gift, this homemade Christmas Crack is a lifesaver.

This delicious treat is ideal for making during the busy holiday season. Whip it up for parties, gift it to friends and neighbors, or add it to your holiday dessert tray. It’s also a great recipe to make with family, as everyone can join in breaking the toffee into pieces once it’s set. Give this ritz cracker candy a try for yourself and see how fun and tasty it is!

Since you are here and looking for your new fave recipes, check out this Cool Whip Candy Recipe (Three Musketeers Copycat), this Holiday Candied Walnuts Recipe, my pretzels christmas crack, or this Easy Eggnog Cookie Bars Recipe.

Ingredients for this Ritz Cracker Toffee Christmas Crack recipe

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this easy Ritz cracker toffee recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements. 

• Ritz Crackers: create the buttery base that contrasts perfectly with the sweet toffee.
• Unsalted Butter: combines with the sugar to form a sticky toffee layer that holds everything together.
• Light Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and caramel flavor while helping create the rich homemade toffee.
• Vanilla Extract: enhances the flavor of the buttery toffee with a sweet note.
• Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: melt over everything to create a rich topping that balances the buttery crackers. Feel free to use any other chocolate that you prefer. I love using dark chocolate as well to balance out the sweetness of the toffee, but milk chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips would be just as addicting!
• Crushed Pecans (optional): add a nutty crunch and extra texture. You can of course add whatever other nut you prefer, think of crushed peanuts, cashews, or even almonds!
• Flaky Sea Salt: for a balances sweet flavor.

How to make this Ritz Cracker Toffee Christmas Crack recipe

This is how you can make this easy Christmas crack recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the oven temp, bake time, and full step-by-step instructions! 

1. Preheat the oven and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, ensuring it’s well-coated with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Lay the Ritz crackers in a single layer on the bottom of the pan, covering the surface of the whole pan. Break a few crackers if necessary to fit snugly.
3. Combine the butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the toffee mixture begins to boil.
4. Allow the brown sugar mixture to boil undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, then remove it from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Carefully drizzle the hot caramel mixture over the layer of Ritz crackers. Make sure to drizzle it all over the crackers to cover as much surface as possible. It will spread more as it bakes.
6. Bake until the butterscotch is bubbling and has turned a golden brown color.
7. Take the sheet out of the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the top of the toffee layer. Let them sit for 3–4 minutes until softened, then use a rubber or offset spatula to spread the melted chocolate chips into a smooth, even layer.
8. (Optional) Add crushed pecans or extra crushed crackers on top of the chocolate layer for a crunchy topping.
9. Allow the toffee to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least an hour to fully set. Once hardened, break it or slice into pieces and enjoy!

Ritz Cracker Toffee Christmas Crack Tips and Tricks

• Monitor the Caramel Closely: Avoid overcooking the caramel when boiling the butter and brown sugar. Let it boil for 4–5 minutes, just until it reaches a golden brown color. Overcooking can produce a burnt flavor while undercooking might make the toffee too soft.
• Drizzle the Caramel Quickly: Work swiftly to drizzle the caramel over the crackers while it’s hot. It sets fast, so having an offset spatula or the back of a wooden spoon handy will help scrape any residue from the pot.
• Melt Chocolate Chips Efficiently: After sprinkling the chocolate chips over the hot caramel, let them sit for 3–4 minutes to melt naturally from the heat before spreading. If they’re not melting, place the sheet back in the warm oven for about 30 seconds to soften them.
• MAKE SURE TO GREASE YOUR ALUMINUM FOIL OR PARCHMENT PAPER!!!

Why do you need to make this Ritz Toffee Christmas Crack recipe?

• This easy recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients that you can quickly grab at any grocery store.
• There’s no better way to enjoy the combo flavors of sweet and salty with a crunchy texture than this.
• It’s the easiest recipe you’ll make throughout the entire holidays; trust me on that.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

What is toffee, and how is it different from butterscotch and caramel?

This is something I was confused about at the beginning of my baking career, and I feel like it’s helpful to know the differences. The difference between caramel and butterscotch is that caramel is made with white sugar, and butterscotch is made with brown sugar. Meaning they have different flavors and are both soft. Toffee, is just butterscotch that has been cooked for longer so that it becomes hard and breaks with a snap.

Can I use Caramel for this recipe instead of Butterscotch Toffee?

Caramel will not set the same way toffee those in this case so changing this recipe from butterscotch to regular white chocolate caramel might make this way harder to get it right. I strongly recommend sticking to this recipe to get the best results and the most delicious sweet treat ever!

Can I use a different type of cracker for this recipe?

Yes! While Ritz crackers add a buttery and slightly salty flavor, you can substitute them with saltine crackers, graham crackers, or club crackers. Each option will bring a unique texture and taste to the toffee. I even make this exact recipe with pretzels and it turned out amazingly!

How do I store leftover Christmas crack toffee?

Place your leftovers into an airtight container or ziplock bag. They can stay out on the kitchen counter at room temperature and should last for 3-4 days. Or they can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or two.

Can I freeze the toffee?

Yes, this recipe freezes very well and can be made ahead of time. Place the pieces in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to three months. Be sure to thaw at room temperature before serving.

My toffee seems too soft or sticky. What went wrong?

Soft toffee usually happens when it isn’t cooked long enough. Be sure to let the butter and sugar boil for 3–5 minutes until it thickens slightly and turns a golden brown color. Cooling the toffee completely before breaking it also helps it firm up.

What if my toffee separates while cooking?

If your butterscotch mixture separates, it may be due to overheating. Remove it from the heat and whisk vigorously to bring it back together. Using room-temperature butter can also help prevent separation.

The Best Ritz Cracker Toffee Christmas Crack Recipe

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