This easy Graham Cracker Toffee (also called Christmas Crack) is one of the easiest treats to make, with just 5-ingredients.
Graham Cracker Toffee (AKA Christmas Crack) might be the easiest holiday treat.
Graham Cracker Toffee (AKA Christmas Crack) might be the easiest holiday treat.Whether you call it Cracker Toffee, or Christmas Crack, this recipe is hugely popular for a reason! It's very easy to make with just 5 ingredients, and it has that rich, buttery toffee flavor we all love, without being brittle and hard like traditional toffee.
It's my go-to if I need a really simple dessert for a crowd, or even to whip up holiday treats for neighbors and friends. Grab a package of graham crackers, chocolate, butter, brown sugar, and pecans, and you're ready to go.
(And if you're a toffee lover like me, don't miss my Toffee Cookie Bars, Chocolate Trifle with toffee bits, or this delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding!)
How to make Christmas Crack:
Line a pan with Graham Crackers. Us a 9x13inch pan, and line it with parchment paper. Arrange crackers in a single layer to act as the base for these bars.
Toffee Layer: In a saucepan, melt butter then add brown sugar and pecans. Stir to combine, then bring to a gentle boil and boil for 5 minutes.
Layer: Pour toffee mixture over the graham crackers and smooth into an even layer.
Bake at 350°F for 7 minutes.
Add chocolate: Remove from oven and carefully place chocolate bar pieces on top. Cover pan for 5-10 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt, then spread melted chocolate into an even layer.
Cool: Let these Christmas crack toffee bars cool completely before serving. You can refrigerate them if you want, but rest at room temperautre for 15 minutes before cutting.
Recipe Variations:
- White Chocolate: Use white chocolate instead of milk or dark, or drizzle some melted white chocolate on top of the milk chocolate.
- Crackers: Saltine crackers are also a popular choice for Christmas crack. You could also use club crackers or ritz crackers. You could even try a base of pretzels.
- Candy: Sprinkle on some crushed peppermint candy, m&m's, or sprinkles.
More Candy-like Treats:
- Chocolate Truffles
- Homemade Caramels
- Oreo Balls
- Chocolate Fudge
- Peanut Brittle
- Rocky Road
- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
- Chocolate Turtles
- Browse all of my Christmas Recipes!
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Recipe
Graham Cracker Toffee (Christmas Crack)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 package Honey Graham Crackers
- 14 ounces Hershey's chocolate bars (I use two large 7oz bars)
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9×13'' pan with cooking spray, then lay parchment paper on top, so it sticks firmly in the pan.
- Place graham cracker sheets to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Toffee layer: Add butter to a large saucepan over medium heat and allow it to melt. Add the brown sugar and pecans, and stir constantly, bringing the mixture to a full boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Bake: Remove from heat then pour mixture over graham crackers and spread into an even layer. Bake for 7 minutes.
- Add chocolate: While the bars are baking, unwrap the Hershey's chocolate bars and break into pieces. Remove bars from oven and carefully place chocolate pieces across the top of the toffee layer. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil to allow the chocolate to melt (5-10 minutes).
- Smooth melted chocolate evenly over the bars.
- Cool completely before serving. I like to store mine in the fridge to set up (not required) but I leave them out at room temperature for 15 minutes before cutting them, to allow the chocolate to soften.
Notes
Nutrition
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*I first shared this recipe November 2015. Updated November 2019 and December 2024.
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easy to make and delicious
Yummy! And so easy!
Do I have to bake it before adding the chocolate? I was just wondering, because I haven’t baked mines (by mistake) for the 7 mins. I guess it makes it more firm I dont know. Their in my fridge now hopefully it sets! I will let you know!
I couldn’t figure out why my topping was so hard to spread out and reread the instructions after having looked at about 20 recipes for these. I must have gotten my wires crossed and I used a cookie sheet instead of a 9×13 🤦♀️😂 So it is more like a graham cracker bark than a bar, lol. My stove top must run a bit hot as well as I boiled and stirred constantly for 5 minutes and the toffee is just a tad overcooked. Not scorched but close! Anyway, it is still a happy experiment and I will make these again with the correct measurements, pan, and turn my flame down to medium low. I didn’t have chocolate bars but used Ghirardelli semi sweet chips and spread them out when they melted. Sprinkled some pink sea salt on top and they are delicious!
Love this recipe. My caramel topping usually never works out right but this one turned out great. I would probably line up more graham crackers cause there was still more caramel that could’ve covered about 4 more crackers, if you can fit them on the sheet.
Would rather see a video!
There is a video for this. From the top click jump to video button!
I tried “jump to video” as well, and it didn’t work for me either.
Thanks for letting us know! I’ll pass this info onto the tech people asap!
In the meantime you can find the video here on youtube. Thanks so much! https://youtube.com/shorts/WsYO6CkTXTI?feature=share
LOVE this! Easy and decadent. I used cinnamon graham crackers, and sprinkled the bark with a little sea salt once out of the oven, then sprinkled dark chocolate chips. The salt and bitterness of the chocolate went nicely with the sweet. Thank you for the great recipe!
This is much better if saltine crackers are used for the base. Not so sweet and they stay crispier than Graham crackers. The bit of salt is a nice contrast to the sweet caramel.
I have made it both ways and love it with the graham crackers way better. But to each their own taste. I also make it with sliced almonds! My problem is when I go to cut it the chocolate separates from the bottom!
I have the crackers separate from the toffee too. My mom always made these by pouring the toffee over the crackers, topping with the chocolate and lastly spreading on the nuts. She used peanuts. Also saltines for a little more of a sweet/salty taste.
I also wonder what the temperature on a candy thermometer would be? Simmer gently for 5 minutes never quite works out for me.
Oldie but goodie!
I made these today and I thought they were easy to make and tastes great! I don’t understand the complaining comments.😕
The pan was so hot I had trouble pouring it over the crackers. Then I couldn’t get it to spread. Finally, the sugar and butter separated. I have made a different version of this before and it came out fine. I used a timer for everything, so not sure what the problems was. Disappointed.
Same thing happened to me !!
I followed this recipe and it came out soft.