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Easy Christmas Crack Recipe (Just 5 Ingredients!)

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If you’ve been here for more than a minute, you know my Sugar Cookie Recipe is the star of every holiday season. It’s the recipe so many of you make year after year and I love seeing all of your decorated cookies. But sugar cookies take a little more time… mixing the dough, chilling, rolling, baking, making icing, decorating. It’s a whole experience (a fun one!) but definitely a project.

So if you’re looking for something crazy easy, fast, foolproof, and still festive… this is it.

Christmas Crack is the treat I’ve been making for over a decade, long before the bake shop ever opened. And when we did offer it in-store? It sold out immediately. Customers would literally grab as many bags as they could hold. It’s that good.

What I love most is how simple it is for every level of baker. If you can line up crackers on a tray and melt butter, you can make Christmas Crack. No special tools, no fancy ingredients, and no decorating skills required.

It also freezes perfectly, making it one of my go-to holiday prep recipes. I’ll make a batch early in the month, freeze it, and pull it out when I’m hosting, filling gift tins, or putting together cookie boxes. It’s a holiday lifesaver.

And of course, you can totally customize it. In our house:

  • I love mine with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
  • Dan prefers festive sprinkles.
  • And if you’re a dark chocolate lover, swap the semi-sweet for dark.

Simple, quick, festive, freezer-friendly, and always a hit… it’s no suprise this recipe has stayed with me for so many years.

Let’s make a batch!

christmas crack stacked on top of itself

Christmas Crack Recipe

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Keyword: christmas crack, peanut butter crackers
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Ingredients

  • 2 sleeves Ritz Crackers
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/3 cup peanut butter
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Optional toppings: flaky sea salt holiday sprinkles, chopped nuts, or dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Prepare your pan: Line a 9×13 baking pan with foil and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
  • Add the crackers: Arrange Ritz crackers in an even layer. They won’t fit perfectly—just cover most of the surface.
  • Make the toffee mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar together until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Pour + spread: Carefully pour the hot mixture over the crackers and spread it evenly with a spatula.
  • Bake: Place the pan in the oven for about 5 minutes, just until the mixture begins to bubble.
  • Add chocolate: Remove from the oven and sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top. Let them sit for 3 minutes to melt, then spread the chocolate into a smooth layer.
  • Freeze: Transfer the pan to the freezer for 15 minutes or until completely set.
  • Break + enjoy: Lift the foil out of the pan and break the crack into pieces. Enjoy immediately or store for later—it freezes beautifully!

Notes

Storage Tips
Christmas Crack keeps beautifully—another reason it’s a holiday favorite at our house.
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Refrigerator: Keeps for 2–3 weeks in a sealed container.
Freezer: Christmas Crack freezes perfectly. Store in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly.
Measure out your ingredients and Add crackers to the pan
Make the toffee mixture
spread the toffee mixture onto the crackers
bake until the whole pan is bubbling and spread the chocolate chips as its cooling
Spread the chocolate and add sprinkles or toppings
christmas crack recipe
cut and serve or package for gifting!
christmas crack

Make-Ahead Instructions

This is one of the best treats to prep ahead during the busy holiday season.

  • Make the recipe completely and freeze it for the initial 15 minutes.
  • Once set, break it apart and store in an airtight container or portion into gift bags.
  • Freeze until needed, it tastes just as fresh after thawing.
  • If serving at a party, pull it out 20–30 minutes before guests arrive so it softens slightly.

packaging for gifting

Whether you’re making Christmas Crack, a batch of sugar cookies, peppermint bark, or any other holiday treat, packaging it up beautifully turns something simple into something special. A little cellophane bag, a small bakery box, or even a mason jar tied with ribbon instantly makes your homemade dessert feel thoughtful and gift-ready.

Add a handwritten tag, tuck in a sprig of greenery, or wrap everything with twine for that cozy, homemade touch. However you style it, gifting something you made with your own hands never gets old! It’s sweet, personal, and always appreciated. Happy gifting, and happy holiday baking!

my favorite dessert gifting supplies


If you make this Christmas crack, let me know how it turned out!

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