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This DIY holiday toffee bark is a super easy sweet that'll get you hooked with its mix of crunchy saltines, caramel-like toffee, and smooth chocolate. Great for giving as gifts or serving at holiday parties, this simple but fancy dessert layers sweet with salty and can be topped with whatever festive bits you fancy. Once you've tried it, you'll totally get why everyone calls it Christmas Crack!
What Makes This Sweet Treat Special
This festive favorite delivers the ultimate combo of crispy crackers, caramelized toffee, and velvety chocolate in each mouthful. It's super easy to whip up with just a handful of everyday items, but looks and tastes like you spent hours making it. You can customize it with all sorts of different toppings, so it's perfect for holiday gifts or adding your own flair to your dessert spread.
Things You'll Need for Holiday Toffee Bark
- For the Bottom Layer:
- 1 sleeve (around 40) saltine crackers
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
- 2 cups (340g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Topping Ideas:
- Smashed candy canes
- Broken nuts (pecans, almonds, or peanuts)
- Holiday sprinkles
- Bits of toffee
- Coconut flakes
- Kitchen Tools:
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Thick-bottomed saucepan
- Flat spreading spatula
Easy How-To Guide
- Get Your Pan Ready
- Warm your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover a 9x13-inch pan with parchment. Put saltines in one layer, salty side facing up.
- Cook Up the Caramel
- Mix butter and brown sugar in a pot. Heat till bubbling, always stirring. Let it bubble for 3 minutes without touching it.
- Cover and Bake
- Drizzle hot caramel over the crackers, spread it all around. Stick in the oven for 5 minutes until it's bubbling away.
- Top With Chocolate
- Take it out, scatter chocolate chips on top. Wait 5 minutes for them to go soft. Smooth the melty chocolate all over.
- Finish and Chill
- Scatter your favorite toppings on the wet chocolate. Pop in the fridge to harden completely, about 2 hours.
- Snap and Pack
- Crack into random chunks. Keep in a sealed container with parchment between layers.
Clever Tricks for the Best Results
Always go for new saltines for that perfect crunch. Don't cook your caramel too long or it might split. Using parchment makes cleanup so much easier. Add your toppings while the chocolate's still warm and gooey. Break it up straight from the fridge for clean snaps. Don't dawdle when spreading the chocolate—it gets firm pretty fast.
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Ways to Enjoy Your Sweet Creation
Show it off on your holiday cookie tray. Pop some in pretty tins as gifts. Throw it on dessert grazing boards. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. Try making several batches with different toppings for fun variety. It's a hit at cookie swaps too!
Keeping It Fresh and Planning Ahead
It'll stay good at room temp for about a week in a sealed container. Keep it in the fridge for 2-3 weeks with parchment between layers. You can freeze it up to 3 months if needed. Want to prep early? Make the base and add toppings just before you serve. Let it warm up a bit before eating for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How can I tell if the toffee's done?
Look for a darker golden color, slight thickening, and a temperature between 270°F and 290°F. It typically takes 3-5 minutes of constant stirring during boiling.
- → Is there a quick way to set it?
Sure! The freezer works in about 30 minutes if you don’t want to wait an hour in the fridge.
- → Why flip the crackers salted side down?
Putting the salted side down helps the toffee stick well and balances the flavors when you eat it.
- → What’s the best way to break it up?
Snap it into random-sized pieces by hand for a casual vibe. The uneven look is part of its charm.
- → How do I store these treats?
Keep them in a sealed container. They're fine at room temp but hold up crunchier if refrigerated.
Conclusion
Transform plain crackers with golden, buttery toffee and a chocolate layer for a festive delight.Grab just a few ingredients to make this sweet and salty dessert, perfect for sharing during the holidays!