Welcome to the recipe that will become your new go-to for every party, holiday gathering, or late-night sweet craving. These Salted Caramel Cracker Bites are the perfect storm of sweet, salty, and crunchy. Incredibly simple to make with just five basic ingredients, this treat, often called “Christmas Crack,” delivers a gourmet taste with minimal effort. You get a buttery cracker base, a rich homemade toffee layer, decadent melted chocolate, and a final sprinkle of sea salt. It’s a dangerously addictive combination that everyone will love.
We’re going to walk through every simple step to ensure your batch comes out perfectly every single time. Get ready to discover your new favorite easy dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Salted Caramel Cracker Bites Recipe
If you’re looking for a last-minute dessert that tastes like you spent hours on it, this is the one. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that checks all the boxes.
- Incredibly Easy: With simple steps and common ingredients, this recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Perfectly Balanced: The salty crackers, sweet brown sugar caramel, and rich chocolate create an irresistible flavor profile.
- Quick to Make: You only need about 10 minutes of active prep time before the oven and refrigerator do the rest of the work.
- Completely Customizable: Use your favorite crackers, chocolate, or toppings to make this treat your own. Check out our variations section for ideas!
For another incredibly simple and delicious dessert, try these Salted Caramel Pretzel Cheesecake Balls.
The 5 Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts about these Salted Caramel Cracker Bites is the short and simple ingredient list. You likely have most, if not all, of these in your kitchen right now.
- Crackers: Saltine crackers are the classic choice, providing the perfect salty, crispy base. You can also use Club crackers, Ritz, or even pretzels.
- Butter: Use salted butter to create a richer, more flavorful caramel toffee layer.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is key to the classic toffee flavor. Make sure it’s packed tightly when measuring.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a great choice as they balance the sweetness of the caramel.
- Flaky Sea Salt: A final sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances all the flavors and gives these bites their signature salted caramel taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Salted Caramel Cracker Bites
Follow these simple steps to create the most addictive Salted Caramel Cracker Bites. The process is straightforward and yields amazing results every time.
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Crackers
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet (approximately 10×15 inches) with parchment paper. This is a crucial step—do not skip it, as it prevents the caramel from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Arrange the saltine crackers in a single, even layer across the parchment paper, fitting them snugly side-by-side.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Toffee
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and packed brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Once it begins to boil, let it cook for exactly 3 minutes without stirring. The mixture will thicken and become a beautiful caramel color. Be careful, as the caramel will be extremely hot.
Immediately pour the hot caramel mixture over the crackers on the baking sheet. Use a spatula to quickly and evenly spread it to cover every cracker.
Step 3: Bake and Spread the Chocolate
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5-6 minutes. The caramel should be bubbling across the entire surface. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a heat-safe surface. Immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot caramel layer. Let them sit for 5 minutes to melt. Once melted, use an offset spatula to spread the chocolate into a smooth, even layer.
Step 4: Add Toppings and Chill
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle the flaky sea salt over the top. If you’re using other toppings like nuts or sprinkles, add them now. Place the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours, or in the freezer for 30-45 minutes, until the chocolate is completely firm. Once chilled and hard, break the candy into bite-sized pieces. It will break apart into beautifully rustic, irregular shapes.
If you love easy, crowd-pleasing appetizers, our Easy Pizza Sliders are a savory must-try!
Pro Tips for Foolproof Cracker Bites
These little tips will help you master the recipe and ensure your Salted Caramel Cracker Bites are perfect from the very first try.
- Don’t Skip the Parchment Paper: This is essential for easy removal and cleanup. Aluminum foil can also be used, but be sure to grease it well.
- Watch the Caramel Closely: Boiling the caramel for exactly 3 minutes is the sweet spot. Undercooking can make it runny, while overcooking can make it too hard or burnt.
- Spread Quickly: Both the caramel and the chocolate need to be spread while they are hot and fluid. An offset spatula works wonders for getting a perfectly even layer.
- Use Good Quality Chocolate: Since it’s a primary flavor, using a good quality chocolate chip brand will make a noticeable difference in the final taste.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is divine, these Salted Caramel Cracker Bites are incredibly versatile. Feel free to get creative with different combinations.
- The Nutty Professor: Add a cup of toasted pecans, almonds, or walnuts to the top along with the sea salt.
- White Chocolate Peppermint: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate for white chocolate chips and add a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies on top.
- The S’mores: Use graham crackers as the base and top the melted chocolate with mini marshmallows and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs.
- Dark Chocolate and Pretzel: For a more intense flavor, use dark chocolate chips and a base of small pretzel twists instead of saltines. The extra salt and crunch is fantastic. If you’re a fan of this combo, you’ll love our Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies.
How to Store Your Cracker Bites
Storing your treats properly ensures they stay fresh and crunchy. Let them cool completely before storing to prevent condensation.
You can store the Salted Caramel Cracker Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If your kitchen is warm, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate firm. They can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just be sure to separate the layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead recipe! You can make it 2-3 days in advance of a party or event. Just be sure to store it properly in an airtight container so the crackers stay crisp.
Absolutely! While saltines are classic, you can easily substitute them with Club crackers, Ritz crackers, graham crackers, or even pretzels for a different texture and flavor profile.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If your home is warm, keep them in the refrigerator to prevent the chocolate from softening. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Get creative with your toppings! Besides sea salt, you can add chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, sprinkles, crushed peppermint candies, M&Ms, or a drizzle of white or dark chocolate.
If your cracker toffee is chewy, it’s likely because the caramel mixture wasn’t boiled long enough. It’s crucial to let the butter and brown sugar boil for a full 3 minutes to reach the hard-crack stage, which ensures a crunchy finish after it cools.
More Sweet Treats to Try From Our Kitchen
If you enjoyed making these simple and delicious cracker bites, we know you’ll love exploring more of our easy dessert recipes. Each one is designed for the home cook who loves to create amazing treats without the fuss. Give our famous Pecan Pie Dump Cake a try for your next gathering!
Salted Caramel Cracker Bites: The Easiest Holiday Treat
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10x15 inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared sheet.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling, stop stirring and let it boil for exactly 3 minutes.
- Immediately pour the hot caramel mixture over the crackers and spread evenly with a spatula. Bake for 5-6 minutes, until the caramel is bubbly all over.
- Remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot caramel. Let them sit for 5 minutes to melt, then spread the chocolate into a smooth layer.
- Sprinkle the flaky sea salt over the melted chocolate. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until completely firm.
- Once firm, break the cracker candy into bite-sized pieces and serve. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Variations: Feel free to top with chopped nuts, sprinkles, or other types of chocolate chips like white or dark chocolate.
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this Salted Caramel Cracker Bites recipe! It’s a true favorite for a reason. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We love hearing from you! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite dessert board on Pinterest so you can always find it.
