Description
Christmas Crack Cookies combine the irresistible salty crunch of saltine crackers with rich homemade toffee, smooth melted chocolate, and a soft buttery cookie dough studded with chopped toffee pieces. This festive treat is bursting with sweet and salty flavors, perfect for holiday celebrations or any time you crave a decadent, crunchy cookie with a unique twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cracker Toffee Layer
- 9 saltine crackers
- 6 tbsp salted butter
- 6 tbsp brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (150g) chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt, for garnish
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (222g) salted butter, browned
- 1 cup (246g) brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (115g) granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (342g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare Christmas Crack Base: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper and arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer to cover the bottom completely.
- Make Toffee Topping: In a small saucepan, combine 6 tbsp salted butter and 6 tbsp brown sugar. Bring to a boil without stirring and let boil for 2 1/2 minutes. Immediately pour this hot toffee evenly over the saltine crackers in the baking pan.
- Bake Toffee Covered Crackers: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 6 minutes to let the toffee set and bubble.
- Top with Chocolate Chips: Remove from the oven and sprinkle 3/4 cup chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Let sit for 5 minutes until softened, then spread the melted chocolate evenly. Allow to cool completely, then freeze until chilled.
- Brown the Butter for Dough: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup salted butter until it bubbles and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: Transfer the browned butter to a large bowl or stand mixer bowl. Add 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Mix thoroughly for about 1 minute until combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in 2 eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and free of graininess.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix until just combined, forming a soft and slightly sticky dough.
- Chop and Fold in Christmas Crack Pieces: Remove the chilled cracker toffee from the freezer and chop into small bits. Gently fold these pieces into the cookie dough evenly.
- Portion and Prepare for Baking: Scoop 3-tablespoon portions of dough onto parchment or silicone-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle each dough mound with flaky sea salt.
- Rest the Dough: Let the cookie dough balls rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to improve spreading and texture.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until the surface is no longer glossy but the cookies remain soft inside.
- Cool and Serve: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy the perfect sweet and salty Christmas Crack Cookies!
Notes
- Ensure the toffee is poured while hot to coat the crackers evenly and create the classic crunchy base.
- Brown butter carefully over low heat to prevent burning and to develop a rich, nutty flavor in the dough.
- Resting the dough before baking helps the cookies spread better and yields a tender texture.
- Freezing the toffee crust before chopping makes it easier to cut into small, uniform pieces.
- Sprinkling flaky sea salt on the dough intensifies the sweet and salty flavor contrast.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas Crack Cookies, salty sweet cookies, toffee cookies, holiday cookies, salted cracker toffee, chocolate chip cookies
