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Best Easy Christmas Crack

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With its irresistible layers of buttery toffee, creamy chocolate, and a hint of salt, Christmas Crack is the ultimate holiday treat that lives up to its name. This recipe takes just minutes to prep, but the payoff is a crave-worthy dessert you’ll want to make again and again. Perfect for cookie swaps, festive gifting, or sneaky midnight snacking, it’s a crowd-pleaser that never disappoints.

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The magic lies in the texture—crispy, gooey, and smooth all at once. A crunchy graham cracker base holds up layers of silky caramel, fluffy marshmallow, and rich melted chocolate, finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. Each bite is a festive explosion of flavor that brings all the cozy vibes of the season.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Crack

  • Quick to prepare with pantry staples
  • No candy thermometer required
  • Sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy in every bite
  • Keeps well for gifting and snacking all week
  • Highly customizable with different toppings

What Kind of Chocolate Should I Use?

The best chocolate to use is semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars. They melt smoothly and pair beautifully with the buttery toffee and sweet marshmallow layers. Dark chocolate works too for a richer finish, and if you’re feeling playful, try a swirl of white chocolate for visual flair.


Ingredients for the Best Easy Christmas Crack

Graham Crackers – These form the crisp base that holds all the delicious layers.

Salted Butter – Adds richness and balances the sweetness perfectly.

Brown Sugar – For deep caramel flavor when melted with the butter.

Mini Marshmallows – Melt into a fluffy layer that contrasts the crunchy bottom.

Chocolate Chips – Provide the top chocolate shell that melts into silky perfection.

Sea Salt Flakes – A touch of salt on top enhances all the flavors.


How To Make the Best Easy Christmas Crack

Step 1: Prep Your Pan

Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper and arrange graham crackers in a single layer to cover the entire base.

Step 2: Make the Toffee Layer

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of salted butter with 1 cup of brown sugar. Stir continuously until it reaches a boil. Let it boil for exactly 3 minutes without stirring. Pour the hot mixture evenly over the graham crackers.

Step 3: Melt the Marshmallows

Immediately sprinkle 2 cups of mini marshmallows over the hot toffee. Let them sit for 2 minutes to soften, then gently spread them out with a spatula.

Step 4: Add the Chocolate Layer

Sprinkle 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of the marshmallow layer. Let them sit for 5 minutes, then spread the melted chocolate evenly.

Step 5: Finish and Chill

Sprinkle sea salt flakes over the chocolate. Let the pan cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until fully set. Break into 24 pieces and enjoy!


Serving This Sweet Holiday Treat

This recipe makes 24 pieces, perfect for feeding a holiday crowd or packing into treat boxes. Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best texture. It pairs beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine by the fireplace.

How To Store Christmas Crack

Store your Christmas Crack in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For gifting, wrap individual pieces in wax paper or stack in a festive tin. You can also freeze it in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months—just thaw in the fridge before serving.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use saltines instead of graham crackers?
Yes! Saltines are the classic base for Christmas Crack and offer a slightly saltier crunch. Use whichever you prefer or have on hand.

Why didn’t my toffee set properly?
Make sure to boil the butter and sugar for the full 3 minutes. Undercooking may result in a sticky texture that doesn’t harden.

Can I add nuts or toppings?
Absolutely. Add chopped pecans, almonds, or sprinkles right after spreading the chocolate for extra crunch and color.

Do I have to refrigerate it?
Refrigeration helps it set faster and keeps the layers firm. But you can also leave it at room temperature to set if you’re in no rush.

What’s the best way to cut it?
Use a sharp knife or simply break it apart with your hands once chilled for that rustic, bark-style look.


Want More Dessert Ideas?

If you love this Christmas Crack, you’ll enjoy these delicious creations too:

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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use graham crackers or saltines? Did you add festive sprinkles or keep it classic?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other bake smarter.

Check out more easy, festive treats on Life With Livia!

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Best Easy Christmas Crack


  • Author: Livia Scott
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 24 pieces
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

With its irresistible layers of buttery toffee, creamy chocolate, and a hint of salt, Christmas Crack is the ultimate quick dessert for any holiday celebration. Made with pantry staples like graham crackers, marshmallows, and brown sugar, it’s the perfect blend of sweet, salty, crunchy, and gooey. This easy recipe is ideal for busy bakers looking for no-fail holiday snacks, easy dessert ideas, or edible gifts.


Ingredients

1 cup salted butter

1 cup brown sugar

12 graham crackers

2 cups mini marshmallows

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon sea salt flakes


Instructions

1. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and arrange graham crackers in a single layer to fully cover the base.

2. In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir until it begins to boil. Let it boil without stirring for exactly 3 minutes.

3. Pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the graham crackers and spread gently.

4. Immediately sprinkle mini marshmallows on top. Let sit for 2 minutes to soften, then spread them out with a spatula.

5. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the warm marshmallows. Let sit for 5 minutes, then spread into a smooth layer.

6. Finish by sprinkling with sea salt flakes.

7. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until fully set.

8. Break into 24 pieces and serve or store.

Notes

Make sure to boil the butter-sugar mixture for the full 3 minutes to ensure proper toffee setting.

Use parchment paper for easy lifting and cleanup.

You can swap graham crackers with saltines or Ritz for a flavor twist.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 17g
  • Sodium: 115mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 22mg

Keywords: Christmas crack, easy dessert, holiday bark, chocolate toffee crack

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