Thursday, December 8, 2011

Ridiculously Good Cracker Toffee (12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies - Week 11)

The richness of buttery English toffee, the smooth silkiness of melted chocolate...the crunchiness of Saltines? This is one ridiculously good treat that has to be tasted to be believed! 



Can you believe there are only one week left of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies link party? When we started, back in October, Christmas seemed so far away - and now I'm rushing to buy presents, planning for parties, and making last-minute holiday plans. Things always get so busy this time of year, so I like to have a few quick, simple recipes on hand to fill up my Christmas cookie tray, make a great-tasting gift, or even just satisfy a sudden sweet craving. This recipe is a perfect choice for all of those needs!


Although I've seen this treat before, it was Jenna, of Blessed Roots, who finally convinced me to try it - her pictures looked so appetizing and her step-by-step photos made it look so easy. I made a half batch, since there are only two of us in this house (and that's a lot of butter for two people!) but my husband and I both regretted that decision after the first taste. I can tell this will be one of my go-to recipes for the holiday season; I'm already planning on bringing some to a potluck next week!


If you're like me (and Jenna, apparently!) and don't usually keep crackers in the house, this recipe is more than enough incentive to go out and buy them. I made our version with dark brown sugar and dark chocolate for extra richness (and because that's what we had on hand!) but you could certainly use light sugar (the original recipe uses Sucanat, for a healthier alternative) and semi-sweet or even milk chocolate.


Because I like to experiment, I tried a few different versions, using Club crackers, Saltines, and graham crackers. I also tested a variety of toppings on each: coconut, chopped pecans, and coarse salt. Matt preferred the graham cracker version (which, with coconut, was surprisingly reminiscent of last week's Seven Layer Bars!), while I was a fan of the Saltines. Our favorite topping was coconut, with coarse salt a close second. Of course, with this much butter and brown sugar, they'd be incredibly delicious no matter what you put on them!


Chocolate Cracker Toffee 
from this recipe at Blessed Roots

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, unsalted
1 cup brown sugar or Sucanat
1 sleeve Saltine or Club crackers (you may need more, or less, to cover the bottom of your dish)
1 (12-ounce) bag semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (about 1 1/2 - 2 cups)
1 cup chopped nuts or shredded coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a 10x15-inch sheet pan with foil and butter the foil generously (I find it's easier to butter the foil before you put it in the pan, to prevent tearing). Set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly until butter is melted and mixture becomes uniform and is ready to boil (this may take a few minutes). Bring mixture to a steady boil. Once mixture is boiling, set a timer for 3 minutes and then walk away. Do not stir the mixture for the next three minutes - this step is important! You can use this time to lay your crackers in a single layer in the prepared baking pan and prepare your toppings.

When the 3 minutes have passed and your crackers are ready, remove the caramel from the heat and pour over the top. Use a knife or the back of a spoon to spread the mixture evenly over the crackers. Bake for 5 minutes until the edges begin to bubble and mixture has thickened.

Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the still-hot mixture and wait a couple of minutes for them to melt. Use your knife or spoon from earlier to spread the chocolate evenly over the toffee. Next, scatter your chosen toppings over the chocolate while still melted, and gently press them into the chocolate.

Place in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. When chocolate is not longer shiny and the mixture has hardened, remove from the foil and break into pieces. Congratulate yourself for making something so tasty!


This post has been shared at:
The Southern Institute: It's Creative Me Monday - A Southern Fairytale: Mouthwatering Monday - The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up PartyMaking the World Cuter: Making the World Cuter Monday  - Skip to My Lou: Made By You Monday - C.R.A.F.T: Making Monday MarvelousIt's So Very Cheri: It's Party TimeMrs. Happy Homemaker: Makin' You Crave Monday - JAQS Studio: Made by Me - Clean & Scentsible: The Creative Spark - Creations by Kara: Look What I Made Wednesday - Sew Much Ado: We Did It Wednesday - Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wednesday - Dining With Debbie: Merry Merry Munchies - This Chick Cooks: These Chicks Cooked - My Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wednesday - Blue Cricket Design: Show and Tell Wednesday - Polkadots on Parade: Wow Me Wednesday  - Southern Lovely: Show & Share - House of Hepworths: Hookin Up with HoH -Momnivore's Dilemma: Creative Juice Thursday - Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday - Around My Family Table: Turning the Table Thursday - It's a Keeper: It's A Keeper Thursday - Feeding Four: What's Cooking Thursday - What Allie's Making Now: Making it With Allie - Frugal Follies: Frigal Food Thursday - Delightful Order: Delightfully Inspiring Thursday - The 36th Avenue: Share Your Awesomeness Thursday - Bizzy Bakes: Bake With Bizzy - Thrifty Decorating: Thrifty Thursday - The Crafty Blog Stalker: Blog Stalking Thursday - Something Swanky: Sweet Treats Thursday - Between U & Me: Crazy Cute Link Party

15 comments:

  1. I have yet to make this, but man it always looks so good.

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  2. I have always wanted to eat one of these but none came my way. Sounds like it is time, to make them, for myself. Thanks for sharing with Bake With Bizzy.

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  3. I make this...oh my goodness, it is sooo good!

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  4. That is my kind of candy.......your newest follower CountryMomCooks.blogspot.com

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  5. Stopping by from Turning the Table Hop to say “Hi.” Growing Old With Grace http://growing-old-with-grace.blogspot.com/. Hugs, GraceinAZ

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  6. I've definitely seen these before on Saltines, but I've never heard of someone trying them on graham crackers. Interesting.

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  7. Found you on Miz Helen's! Oh dear...salty, sweet AND COCONUT??? I. am. happy! Can't wait to make these...thanks for sharing:)

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  8. That sounds neat, I would never have thought about using crackers

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  9. I've aways wanted to try cracker toffee. This look fantastic!

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  10. Cracker Toffee is one of my holiday favorites and your recipe looks awesome! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great week end and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  11. Wow, I can't believe I've never made cracker toffee...this looks wonderful. I'm going to have to try this out this year!

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  12. I have always wanted to try making this. I may have to go for it! I'd love to have you link up with Creative Me Monday this week! Would you? Here's the link:

    http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/2011/12/its-creative-me-monday.html

    Hope to see you there!
    Jenny

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  13. One of my favorite holiday treats! I can't believe no one has made it at work yet!

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