Christmas Crack Cookies are the perfect holiday treat: easy to make, incredibly delicious, and endlessly customizable. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your home as it has to mine.
Table of Contents
The Ultimate Christmas Crack Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. This ensures your oven is at the right temperature for even baking.
- Line two muffin tins with festive cupcake liners. These are optional; to prevent sticking use good quality liners or spray them with baking spray.
- Place a Ritz cracker in the bottom of each liner. This creates a neat and tidy way to bake each individual cookie.
- In a medium sauce pan melt butter over medium heat, add brown sugar and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring consistently. Tip: the temperature should come between 270-290 F, this can be measured using a candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat and drop a tablespoon size amount of the mixture onto each ritz; use a cookie scoop for easy measuring.
- Place in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and immediately top each Ritz with 1 – 2 Tbsp chocolate chips. The heat from the toffee will melt the chocolate.
- Once they melt a little, spread the chocolate with the back of a spoon. Tip: if the chocolate chips are not melting, put the tray back in the warm oven for a minute to help them melt.
- Top with festive sprinkles. This adds a touch of color and holiday cheer!
- Place in the fridge to cool and set. This step is crucial for the toffee and chocolate to harden properly.
- Store in an airtight container on the counter for a few weeks, these also freeze well. That is, if they last that long!
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Why You’ll Love This Christmas Crack Cookies Recipe
I know you’ll adore this Christmas Crack Cookies recipe because:
- It’s incredibly simple to make, even for beginner bakers.
- The toppings are totally customizable, so you can tailor them to your taste.
- It strikes the perfect balance of salty and sweet, which is always a winning combination.
- It’s a fantastic recipe to make with kids; they’ll love sprinkling on the toppings.
Choosing the Right Crackers for Your Christmas Crack Cookies
The base of Christmas Crack Cookies is, of course, crackers! You’ve got a few options here, and each will give a slightly different result. Saltines provide a very salty base, which can be delicious, but some may find overpowering. Ritz crackers offer a buttery, slightly sweet flavor that complements the toffee perfectly. Graham crackers will give a sweeter, more mellow base, while gluten-free crackers are a great alternative for those with dietary restrictions.
I find that Ritz crackers are the best overall choice, as they provide the ideal balance of flavor and texture. No need to adjust baking time or temp no matter which cracker you choose!
Ingredients for Christmas Crack Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these irresistible cookies:
- 24 Christmas Ritz crackers (regular Ritz work too)
- 1 cup butter (unsalted)
- 1 cup brown sugar (dark)
- 1 250 g pkg semi sweet chocolate chips
- 2 Tbsp Christmas sprinkles
Step-by-Step Instructions for Christmas Crack Cookies
Ready to get baking? Here are the simple steps to follow:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. This ensures your oven is at the right temperature for even baking.
- Line two muffin tins with festive cupcake liners. These are optional; to prevent sticking use good quality liners or spray them with baking spray.
- Place a Ritz cracker in the bottom of each liner. This creates a neat and tidy way to bake each individual cookie.
- In a medium sauce pan melt butter over medium heat, add brown sugar and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring consistently. Tip: the temperature should come between 270-290 F, this can be measured using a candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat and drop a tablespoon size amount of the mixture onto each ritz; use a cookie scoop for easy measuring.
- Place in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and immediately top each Ritz with 1 – 2 Tbsp chocolate chips. The heat from the toffee will melt the chocolate.
- Once they melt a little, spread the chocolate with the back of a spoon. Tip: if the chocolate chips are not melting, put the tray back in the warm oven for a minute to help them melt.
- Top with festive sprinkles. This adds a touch of color and holiday cheer!
- Place in the fridge to cool and set. This step is crucial for the toffee and chocolate to harden properly.
- Store in an airtight container on the counter for a few weeks, these also freeze well. That is, if they last that long!
The Sweet Science: Mastering the Toffee Layer
The toffee layer is where the magic happens. Butter provides richness and flavor, while brown sugar adds sweetness and a caramel-like depth. When heated, the butter and sugar combine to create a luscious, golden toffee.
A candy thermometer is very important for mastering the toffee layer. This ensures that you cook the toffee to the correct temperature. You can find more information on using a candy thermometer from Consumer Reports.
Troubleshooting Toffee: Common Problems and Solutions
Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. Here’s how to troubleshoot common toffee issues:
- Problem: Toffee is grainy. Solution: This often happens when sugar crystals form during cooking. To prevent it, ensure all the sugar is fully dissolved before boiling, and avoid stirring once it’s boiling unless absolutely necessary.
- Problem: Toffee is too hard. Solution: This means the toffee was cooked at too high a temperature or for too long. Use a candy thermometer to ensure you reach the correct temperature (270-290 F), and remove it from the heat as soon as it does.
- Problem: Toffee is separating (butter is pooling on top). Solution: This can happen if the mixture isn’t emulsified properly, or if the temperature fluctuates too much. Make sure the butter is fully melted before adding the sugar, and stir constantly over medium heat.
- Problem: Toffee is burning. Solution: This is usually due to cooking the toffee over too high a heat. Lower the heat to medium and stir constantly to prevent scorching.
Chocolate Selection: Choosing the Best Chocolate for Your Christmas Crack Cookies
The type of chocolate you use can significantly impact the overall flavor of your Christmas Crack Cookies. Milk chocolate will give a sweeter, milder flavor, while dark chocolate will offer a richer, more intense taste. Semi-sweet chocolate, my personal favorite, strikes a good balance between the two. White chocolate can also be a fun option for a different twist.
I generally go for chocolate chips, but you can certainly use chocolate bars. Just be sure to chop the chocolate into smaller pieces.
Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Christmas Crack Cookies
While sprinkles are classic, there are endless possibilities for toppings! Consider crushed candy canes for an extra festive touch, chopped nuts for added crunch, sea salt flakes to enhance the sweet and salty flavors, or mini marshmallows for a gooey surprise. Get creative and experiment with your favorite flavors!
Baking Pan Options: Muffin Tins vs. Baking Sheets
You can use either muffin tins or baking sheets for this recipe. Muffin tins create individual, perfectly portioned cookies, which are great for presentation. Baking sheets allow you to make a larger sheet of toffee cracker, which you can then break into pieces. I prefer muffin tins.
Gifting and Presentation: Sharing the Christmas Crack Cookie Love
Christmas Crack Cookies make wonderful gifts! Package them in cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon or place them in decorative tins. You can even create printable gift tags to add a personal touch. Pair these cookies with a homemade hot chocolate mix for a cozy gift set, or include a festive mug for a complete package.
You can find more tips on storing and shipping cookies to ensure they arrive perfectly.
Storage Instructions for Christmas Crack Cookies
To maintain their freshness, store Christmas Crack Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay good for a few weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to two months. Just make sure they are completely cool before freezing.
Altitude Adjustments for Christmas Crack Cookies
Altitude can affect the toffee-making process. At higher altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature, which can impact the consistency of the toffee. You may need to cook the toffee for a shorter amount of time to prevent it from becoming too hard. Keep a close eye on the candy thermometer and adjust accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions I get asked about making Christmas Crack Cookies:
Can I use sugar substitute?
I haven’t personally tested this, but some sugar substitutes may work. Be sure to use one that is suitable for high-heat cooking.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cookies are great for making ahead of time, as they store well.
How long will these last?
Stored properly, they will last for a few weeks at room temperature or up to two months in the freezer.
Can I add nuts?
Yes, you can add chopped nuts to the toffee mixture or sprinkle them on top along with the sprinkles.
Conclusion
Christmas Crack Cookies are the perfect holiday treat: easy to make, incredibly delicious, and endlessly customizable. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your home as it has to mine.
Now, I want to hear from you! Leave a comment below sharing your results, asking a question, or suggesting your favorite variations. Happy baking!
