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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They look yummy and probably don’t last long. Just wondering how far in advance you can make them and how to store them.
Thanks.
Not sure what I did wrong but mine didn’t turn out anything like the picture. The filling was more like a ball of thick goo. It tasted like the crystalized brown sugar. I didnt bother with the chocolate, it would have been a waste.
Same for me. I added some half & half but that didn’t work very well. Finished it with the chocolate. My family ate it anyway.
So, because this didn’t turn out the way you hoped you decided the way to handle your own error was to give this recipe/post a one-star review?? That’s sort of petulant and petty. The correct response would be to try the recipe again, or perhaps to post a question for help. Plenty of others have made these and apparently they turned out great. The problem is NOT with the recipe!
Right on! What I have always wanted to say. Thanks
This is easier and better than my old recipe. I do still prefer dark chocolate.
What kind of butter sweet or salty
I make them with salted butter, but I guess it’s a matter of taste.
I have made these several times and they are amazing and addictive. Using parchment paper makes cutting and removing bars so much easier. I have also used a combination of milk and dark chocolate when that was all I had. I actually liked the combination better than all milk chocolate because it is not quite as sweet. But these have become a favorite because of taste and also because they are easy, quick and do not require a lot of ingredients!
I’ve made these with Saltine crackers, but I prefer the graham crackers. I’ve also tried with both chocolate bars, as well as chocolate chips. I don’t see where there’s a difference with those. That’s more a personal preference. They’re addicting no matter which way you make them, but definitely the graham crackers are the way to go IMOHO!
I made these and it seems like I could still feel the bits of brown sugar. I boiled for 5 mins and baked for 7 and used a cup. Not sure what I did wrong
Question: are these hard like regular toffee (hard on old teeth 🙂 or are they soft to the bite? Thanks in advance!
No, they are not hard like toffee.
Super!!!! Everyone loved these. Thank you😊
Wow! Where have these been all my life? My 13 yr old made them for the Super Bowl–added team-colored sprinkles to the warm chocolate. EVERYBODY thought they were incredible, even my husband who isn’t a huge chocolate guy. I think I are about 6 squares and had to force myself to stop! Thank you for bringing these into my life!😍