Irresistible Crunchy Cracker Candy Recipe: Sweet Magic in Minutes
Sweet meets salty in this delightful cracker candy that will turn heads at any gathering.
Layers of buttery crackers meld perfectly with rich chocolate in a cracker candy that promises pure indulgence.
The simple ingredients create magic in your kitchen.
Caramel and chocolate combine to form an irresistible treat that looks far more complicated than its easy preparation.
Crisp crackers provide the perfect base for this decadent dessert.
Anyone can master this recipe with just a few basic steps.
Cracker Candy: What You’ll Need
For Base Layer:For Caramel Layer:For Topping Layer:Tools That Make Cracker Candy
How to Make Cracker Candy at Home
Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Carefully arrange saltine crackers in a perfect single layer covering the entire surface.
In a saucepan, transform butter and brown sugar into a rich, golden caramel by stirring constantly over medium heat. Watch it bubble and thicken into a luscious mixture.
Pour the molten caramel generously over the crackers, ensuring every inch gets coated with the sweet, sticky goodness.
Slide the tray into a preheated oven and let the caramel become wonderfully bubbly. Remove and let it rest momentarily.
Scatter chocolate chips across the hot surface. Allow them to melt naturally, then smooth them into a glossy layer using a spatula.
Sprinkle holiday-themed toppings or crushed candy for a playful finish.
Let the candy cool completely at room temperature or speed up the process in the refrigerator. Once hardened, break into delightful bite-sized pieces and enjoy your homemade treat.
Cracker Candy Flavor Tweaks to Try
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1-2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Calories: 166 kcal
Servings: 24
Serving Cracker Candy for Holidays
Cracker Candy: How to Keep It Crisp
Print
Crunchy Cracker Candy Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 25 1x
Description
Homemade cracker candy delivers a sweet and salty symphony of flavors that delights taste buds. Simple ingredients combine to create an irresistible treat that satisfies both snack cravings and dessert desires.
Ingredients
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers (about 40 crackers)
- 1 cup (226 grams / 8 oz) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (220 grams / 7.9 oz) packed light brown sugar
- 2 cups (340 grams / 12 oz) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly greasing with cooking spray for easy release.
- Cracker Base: Arrange saltine crackers in a single, compact layer across the entire sheet, ensuring full coverage without gaps or overlapping.
- Caramel Creation: In a saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar, heating and stirring constantly until the mixture transforms into a luxurious, amber-colored syrup with a glossy, thickened texture.
- Chocolate Layer: Pour the molten caramel evenly over the cracker foundation, spreading with a spatula to ensure complete coverage. Bake for 5-7 minutes until the caramel bubbles and deepens in color.
- Chocolate Finishing: Immediately scatter chocolate chips across the hot caramel surface, allowing them to melt naturally for 2-3 minutes. Gently spread the chocolate into a smooth, uniform layer using consistent strokes.
- Decoration and Cooling: Sprinkle with optional toppings like crushed candy canes or festive sprinkles while the chocolate remains slightly warm. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or allow to cool at room temperature until completely set.
- Serving: Break the hardened confection into rustic, irregular pieces, ready to be devoured and enjoyed.
Notes
- Prevent Cracker Slipping: Lightly spray parchment paper with cooking spray to help crackers stay perfectly positioned during caramel pouring.
- Master Caramel Technique: Stir butter and brown sugar constantly to avoid burning, watching for rich amber color as key doneness indicator.
- Chocolate Melting Precision: Let chocolate chips sit untouched on hot caramel for 2-3 minutes to ensure smooth, even melting without additional heat.
- Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate, and try alternative toppings such as chopped nuts, sea salt, or crushed cookies for unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1-2 hours
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jenna Hartley
Founder & Recipe Creator
Expertise
Education
Box Hill Institute, Melbourne
William Angliss Institute, Melbourne
Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes.
Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.