Come one, come all, gather around my friends, for I have a special holiday treat to share with you today that is sure to spread some Christmas cheer! When the air grows crisp and cold outside, we yearn even more for the warmth of connection and comforts of home and hearth. And what better way to conjure up that cozy, festive feeling than with a batch of melt-in-your-mouth, sweet and salty Crockpot Christmas Crack.
With the simple melding of butter, sugar and crackers, this unassuming candy creation transforms into a glistening, candy-coated crispy delight that looks like it took hours of tedious kitchen labor. But the ease and simplicity of this recipe only adds to its holiday magic. With just a few ingredients tossed in the slow cooker, the crack bubbles away unattended into caramelized, buttery bliss. Then, after a smooth chocolate drizzle and sparkling coat of crushed peppermint and pretzels, you have edible holiday glamour!
This is the kind of recipe that conjures up nostalgia of Christmas past while creating new delicious memories in the present. The scent of chocolate and peppermint mingling in the kitchen instantly gets you in the holiday spirit. And the joy of gifting these edible treats to friends and neighbors embodies the warmth and generosity this season inspires. Or keep batches all to yourself for effortless snacking as you deck those halls!
So come in from the cold, my friends, and gather close. Warm your hands, your bellies, and your hearts with the magic of Crockpot Christmas Crack. The ingredients may be simple, but the cheer, connections and coziness they inspire are anything but. Let’s get cooking!
What kind of butter is best to use?
For best results, use real butter rather than margarine or spreads. The flavor will be richer.
Can I use unsalted crackers instead of salted?
Yes, you can use unsalted if you prefer. The saltiness will just be a little less pronounced.
What if I don’t have a crockpot, can I make this another way?
You can make it in the oven too! Simply combine the butter, brown sugar and crackers in a foil lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 6-8 minutes until bubbling. Then top as directed.
How do I melt the chocolate chips?
Microwave the chocolate chips in a bowl for 30 seconds then stir and heat for additional 10 second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
Can I customize this crack with other mix-in options?
Absolutely! Some fun extra mix-ins are toffee bits, sprinkles, dried fruit, nuts, etc. Get creative!
How should I store any leftovers?
Store fully cooled crack between sheets of waxed paper or parchment paper in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 36 salted round crackers
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
Instructions:
- Plug in your slow cooker and set it to low heat. Add the butter and brown sugar. As the mixture warms, the butter will melt into the brown sugar. Use a spoon to stir them together well so the butter fully incorporates rather than sitting on top. You want a smooth, unified blend.
- Next, completely cover the butter/sugar base with a single, even layer of saltine crackers. Gently press them down into the mixture. They may seem like a lot, but they will melt down substantially. Put the lid on top.
- Cook covered for 45 minutes, then gently stir the crackers around to allow any that were on top to now soak up that sweet brown sugar butter sauce. Re-cover and cook 30-45 minutes more until the crackers have completely melted down into the buttery caramel base with no loose cracker pieces remaining.
- Once your crack base has fully formed, scatter chocolate chips across the top while still warm so they slowly start to melt and can spread easily to coat the entire surface when stirred. After about 5 minutes of letting those chips melt, use a spoon to swirl and spread the chocolate into an evenly distributed layer.
- Immediately sprinkle the top generously with crushed peppermint candies and crushed pretzels so they adhere before the chocolate hardens fully. Cool completely before breaking your Christmas Crack into festive pieces. Share or savor this holiday treat yourself!
Cooking Tips:
- Use foil liners in the crockpot for easy removal and cleanup
- Check and stir the crack every so often as it cooks
- Add any custom toppings while the chocolate is still warm enough to stick
- Let cool fully before removing from the crockpot or breaking by hand
- Store in layers between parchment or waxed paper to prevent sticking
- Play around with other seasonal mix-in ideas like sprinkles or toffee!
I will cook your Pineapples Sunshine Cake for Christmas