White Chocolate Christmas Crack
With the delicious combination of salty and sweet, this crunchy Christmas crack (Ritz cracker candy) is a quick, simple treat that’s great for holiday snacking.
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Table of Contents
- About White Chocolate Christmas Crack
- What is Christmas crack?
- What’s in Chrsitmas Crack?
- What type of candy melts should you use?
- How long is Christmas crack good for?
- Can you freeze Christmas crack?
- Notes & tips for Christmas crack
- More great candy recipes
- Other recipes to make at Christmas
- How to make Christmas crack (Ritz cracker candy)
- Recipe Details
About White Chocolate Christmas Crack
This retro recipe has lasted the test of time, and for good reason. It combines the addictive combination of sweet and salty flavors, it’s extremely easy to make, and it’s all wrapped up in festive colors.
What is Christmas crack?
Also called “saltine toffee candy” or “cracker candy,” this easy treat comes in many variations – but no matter the recipe, there are always three main characteristics:
- Includes salty crackers, whether they be saltines or Ritz crackers.
- A combination of melted sugar and butter, typically poured over the crackers to give flavor and help solidify the bottom layer.
- Topped with chocolate, whether that be white chocolate (like this recipe) or more classic types like semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, etc.
The name “Christmas crack” comes from this being a common recipe around the holidays and because you need to “crack” the candy apart into bite-sized pieces for serving. This candy is also addictively good, too, so there tends to be some wordplay with the “crack” part of the name.
What’s in Chrsitmas Crack?
- White Almond Bark – Also called “vanilla flavored candy coating,” this is a chocolate-like confection made with vegetable fats instead of cocoa butter. It’s great for giving foods a hard candy coating and is frequently used as a substitute for white chocolate.
- Ritz crackers – This is the ingredient that makes this candy unique, as the Ritz crackers create a buttery, salty layer beneath the chocolate.
- Butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla – These ingredients help add flavor and structure to the Ritz crackers. The heated and baked sugar also helps add the “crack” to Christmas crack.
- Colorful candy melts and sprinkles – To give this dessert a touch of holiday spirit.
What type of candy melts should you use?
Candy melts (also called melting wafters) are pretty common – you can find them in the baking supply area, and they’re small, flat disks, typically sold by the bag – but I do think there are significant differences in quality depending on the brand of candy melts you buy.
Wilton is by far the most common brand of candy melt, and they are sold in a variety of colors. This makes them a popular pick, since you can buy the exact color you need and can get right to crafting your festive treats. Wilton makes things simple and easy.
This recipe recommends using Wilton candy melts (or other brands that come in different colors) because it makes things simpler.
However, I’ve not been impressed with the quality of Wilton candy melts and typically look for alternatives. If given the choice, I would highly recommend picking up Ghirardelli brand candy melts and using oil-based food coloring to get the look that you want. You could also use their bar chocolate or chocolate chips. These are my favorite candy melts to work with due to the superior quality and taste.
How long is Christmas crack good for?
Once it’s prepared, Christmas crack can be stored in a sealed container on the counter or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Can you freeze Christmas crack?
Yes, you totally can!
Once prepared, Christmas crack can be stored in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months.
Notes & tips for Christmas crack
- You can use saltine crackers in place of Ritz crackers.
- You can use other types of chocolate (semi-sweet, dark, milk, etc) in place of the white chocolate.
- Feel free to add other toppings, like nuts, candy, or even dried fruit.
More great candy recipes
Other recipes to make at Christmas
How to make Christmas crack (Ritz cracker candy)
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 – Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then arrange the Ritz crackers in a tightly packed single layer.
Step 2 – Heat the butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil and cook until the mixture turns a light brown color. Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3 – Pour the buttery sugar mixture over the crackers, coating them evenly.
Step 4 – Bake the cracker base.
Step 5 – Add the white almond bark, red candy melts, and green candy melts to microwave-safe bowls, then heat and melt them until smooth. Pour the white almond bark over the baked Ritz layer and use a spatula to smooth it out. Drizzle the red and green candy melts over the chocolate, then drag a toothpick through the chocolate to create some swirl designs. Finish by adding some festive sprinkles on top.
Step 6 – Allow the candy to cool completely, then break it into serving-sized pieces.
step 7 – Serve and enjoy!
White Chocolate Christmas Candy
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter
- holiday sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Working from the middle, lay Ritz crackers on the baking sheet in a tightly packed single layer. Set baking sheet aside for now.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add butter, sugar, and salt. Cook, whisking constantly, until butter is melted, about 3-5 minutes. While continuing to whisk, bring mixture to a boil and let cook for an additional 7-9 minutes or until mixture turns a light brown color.
- Remove saucepan from heat. Add vanilla and stir until incorporated.
- Quickly pour buttery sugar mixture evenly over Ritz crackers, coating as many as possible.
- Bake coated Ritz crackers for 13-15 minutes or until bubbly and brown.
- Remove baked Ritz crackers and allow to cool slightly while preparing the chocolate.
- Place white almond bark, red candy melts, and green candy melts in individual microwave-safe bowls. Heat each in the microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power, then stir. Continue to heat for 15 second intervals, mixing in between, until all chocolate and candy has completely melted.
- Pour melted white almond bark evenly over the baked Ritz crackers, coating as many as possible. If needed, use a spatula to smooth out chocolate.
- To decorate, drizzle red and green melted candy over the almond bark. If desired, drag a toothpick or butter knife through the colors once or twice (not too much) to create a swirl pattern. While chocolate is still wet, top with festive sprinkles (optional).
- Refrigerate Christmas crack for at least 2 hours or until set.
- Once firm, "crack" the Ritz cracker toffee into serving-sized pieces.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.
