This recipe is one of those simple but show-stopping holiday treats that ends up stealing the spotlight. It’s got all the good stuff, salty crackers, buttery caramel, melty chocolate, and a blizzard of fun toppings. And it’s easy to make.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Christmas Treat

Ingredients:

Crackers – Enough to cover a 9×13-inch baking tin. Saltines are the classic choice, but I’ve used Ritz in a pinch and they work so well. Buttery and slightly sweet? Yes, please.
1 cup butter – The real stuff, please. No skimping during the holidays!
1 cup brown sugar – For that rich, deep caramel magic.
Milk chocolate (about 2 cups) – Chips or bars, whatever you have in your stash.
Crushed Oreos (about 1/2 cup) – Adds crunch, sweetness, and just a touch of cookie drama.
M&M’s (about 1/2 cup) – Go with red and green to make it pop!
White chocolate buttons (about 1/3 cup) – These add a fancy touch and melt like a dream.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Line It Up

First things first, grab your 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper or foil. This is not the moment to get lazy, trust me, you don’t want to be scraping caramel off your pan at 11 p.m. Been there, done that.

Lay your crackers in a single layer, edge to edge, like a little puzzle. Bonus points if you get them to fit perfectly (I never do).

2. Make the Caramel

In a medium pot, melt your butter and brown sugar together over medium heat. Keep stirring!

Once it’s bubbling happily (we’re talking rolling bubbles across the top, not just around the edges), it’s ready. This takes about 3 minutes.

Making the caramel for Christmas Crack Recipe

3. Pour and Bake

Pour the hot caramel all over your cracker layer. Carefully, because this stuff is liquid gold and very hot. Spread it evenly with a spatula.

Pop the whole pan into your preheated oven (350°F / 175°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps the caramel really soak into the crackers and bubble up just a bit more.

Keep an eye on it! You want bubbling, not burning.

4. Chocolate Time

When the pan comes out of the oven, sprinkle your milk chocolate right on top of that hot caramel. Let it sit for a minute or two to soften, then spread it into a beautiful, glossy layer.

Putting chocolate on top of crackers with caramel

5. Top It Off

Now the fun really begins, toppings! Sprinkle your crushed Oreos, M&M’s, and white chocolate buttons over the warm chocolate.

Putting crushed Oreos, M&Ms, white chocolate buttons on top of chocolate

6. Cool and Chill

Let everything cool on the counter for about 30 minutes. Then pop it into the fridge for at least an hour to firm up. If you’re impatient (me, always), stick it in the freezer for faster results, but don’t forget it in there!

7. Break and Serve

Once it’s set, lift the whole sheet out of the pan using the parchment or foil. Then break it into pieces, big, small, random shapes, whatever you like. No rules here.

Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and try not to sneak a piece every time you pass by. (Spoiler: you will.)

Tips

Make it ahead – Christmas Crack keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to one week.
Wrap it up – Add it to holiday tins or cellophane bags with a little ribbon for the cutest (and most delicious) gifts.
Double it – This recipe doubles easily if you’ve got a big crowd or want extra for gifting (or, you know, hoarding).
Mix it up – Try chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even peppermint bits on top. You can totally customize it to your family’s taste or whatever’s in your pantry.

Christmas Crack is festive, simple, and it tastes like Christmas in a bite. If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser that feels special but won’t stress you out, this one is a holiday must.

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