Salted Caramel Cracker Bites: The Easiest Holiday Treat

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Get ready to meet your new favorite obsession: Salted Caramel Cracker Bites. If you’re looking for an incredibly easy, ridiculously delicious, and crowd-pleasing treat, you’ve found it. This recipe combines buttery crackers, rich caramel, melted chocolate, and a sprinkle of sea salt to create a sweet and salty masterpiece. It’s the perfect last-minute dessert for parties, holidays, or any time a craving strikes. Best of all, it requires just a handful of simple ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes!

Often called “Christmas Crack” for its addictive quality, this treat is a guaranteed hit. The crunchy cracker base perfectly balances the sweet, buttery toffee and the smooth chocolate topping. Let’s dive into how you can make this simple yet elegant dessert.

Why You’ll Love These Salted Caramel Cracker Bites

There are so many reasons this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward treat.

Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, you can have these bites ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for unexpected guests or sudden sweet cravings.
Simple Ingredients: You only need 5 basic pantry staples to create this magical snack. No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients here.
Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The combination of salty crackers, sweet caramel, and rich chocolate is simply irresistible. The final sprinkle of sea salt elevates all the flavors.
Completely Customizable: While delicious as is, this recipe is a fantastic base for creativity. Add nuts, sprinkles, or different types of chocolate to make it your own. For another customizable treat, try these Pecan Caramel Baklava Cups.

The 5 Core Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

A close-up shot of a piece of a salted caramel cracker bite being broken in half to show the layers of cracker, toffee, and chocolate. — Look at those perfect layers of cracker, caramel, and chocolate!

Crackers: The salty, crunchy base. Saltine crackers are traditional, but others work wonderfully too.
Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the caramel layer.
Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar will work. Dark brown sugar will give a deeper, more molasses-like flavor to the toffee.
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic choice, but milk chocolate or dark chocolate are also excellent options.
Flaky Sea Salt: This is the finishing touch that makes the flavors pop.

What are the Best Crackers to Use?

While saltine crackers are the classic choice for “cracker toffee,” you have plenty of options! Club crackers or Ritz crackers also provide a great buttery, crunchy base. For a slightly different twist, you could even try pretzels or graham crackers.

How to Make Salted Caramel Cracker Bites (Step-by-Step)

Making these salted caramel cracker bites is as simple as 1-2-3. Follow these steps for perfect results.

Prep Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This is crucial for easy cleanup! Arrange the crackers in a single, even layer across the pan.
Make the Caramel: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and cook for exactly 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not over-boil, as this can make the toffee too hard.
Pour and Bake: Immediately pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over the layer of crackers. Use a spatula to spread it out if needed. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the caramel is bubbly all over.
Add the Chocolate: Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot caramel. Let them sit for 5 minutes to melt. Once melted, use an offset spatula to spread the chocolate into a smooth, even layer.
Chill and Set: Sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt. Let the pan cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then transfer it to the refrigerator or freezer to set completely, which usually takes about 1-2 hours. Once firm, break or cut the slab into bite-sized pieces.

If you love easy, sweet treats, you might also enjoy these delicious Pumpkin Pie Cookies.

An overhead shot of homemade salted caramel cracker bites arranged neatly on a serving platter. — It’s impossible to have just one of these cracker toffee bites.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cracker Toffee Every Time

While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few tips will ensure your Salted Caramel Cracker Bites are absolutely perfect.

Don’t Skip the Parchment Paper: Caramel is sticky! Lining your pan is essential to prevent the bites from welding themselves to the metal and ensures you can lift the entire slab out easily.
Watch the Caramel Closely: The 3-minute boil is the most important step. Boiling too long can make the toffee hard and brittle, while not boiling long enough can result in a soft, chewy caramel that doesn’t set properly.
Spread Chocolate Gently: Use a light touch when spreading the melted chocolate to avoid disturbing the caramel layer and crackers underneath. An offset spatula works best for this.

Fun Variations to Try

This recipe is a wonderful canvas for your culinary creativity. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Topping Ideas

Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds over the melted chocolate before it sets.
Sprinkles: Add festive holiday or birthday sprinkles for a pop of color.
Other Toppings: Try adding a drizzle of white chocolate, a sprinkle of toffee bits, or crushed peppermint candies. For a truly decadent treat, check out these Salted Caramel Truffles.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

These cracker bites are a great make-ahead option for parties and gifts.

How to Store

Store your Salted Caramel Cracker Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you stack them, place a layer of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking.

Can You Freeze Them?

Yes! These freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, separated by parchment paper. They will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of crackers are best for this recipe?

Saltine crackers are the classic choice because their salty flavor balances the sweet caramel perfectly. However, Club crackers, Ritz crackers, or even pretzels also work wonderfully as a base.

How do I store Salted Caramel Cracker Bites?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you stack them, use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Can I make these cracker bites ahead of time?

Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. They can be stored for several days at room temperature or frozen for up to 3 months, making them a great option for holiday prep.

Why is my cracker toffee chewy instead of crunchy?

If your 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 mixture come to a rolling boil and hold it there for a full 3 minutes to ensure it reaches the right temperature to set into a crunchy toffee.

Can I make this recipe without nuts?

Yes, this recipe is completely nut-free as written. If you want to add some crunch, you can add nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts, but they are entirely optional.

Get Baking!

These Salted Caramel Cracker Bites are a true delight, combining simplicity with show-stopping flavor. They’re the perfect treat to bake, share, and enjoy. If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it! Share your creations and tag me on Pinterest.

Salted Caramel Cracker Bites Recipe

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