Throughout the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I am working to keep things simple. Especially if things are simply delicious, like this homemade saltine toffee bark.
For the third day of the 12 Baking Days of Christmas series, here’s a recipe that requires only five basic ingredients and takes about 15 minutes to prepare. Seriously, from start to finish, including clean up.
It starts with a saltine-cracker base layered with homemade buttery toffee and covered with chocolate. Easy peasy.
And did I mention delicious? Some call it Christmas Crack because it’s so irresistible you can’t stop eating it! The salty-sweet flavor combines with a crunchy-chewy texture for a truly addictive treat. And you can customize it with a variety of toppings: chopped pecans, pretzel pieces, dried fruit, toasted almond slices, toffee bits… or simply enjoy it plain.
And just like the Cookies for Santa Gift in a Jar, it makes a terrific holiday gift. Pack them in festive metal tins and surprise neighbors, co-workers and friends. Or keep them all for yourself — I won’t tell. Enjoy! — v.
The 12 Baking Days of Christmas 2015
Day 1 ❄︎ Cookies For Santa
Day 2 ❄︎ Cranberry Bliss Bars
Day 3 ❄︎ Saltine Toffee Bark
Day 4 ❄︎ Holiday Baked Brie
Day 5 ❄︎ Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Day 6 ❄︎ Baked French Toast Casserole
Day 7 ❄︎ Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Day 8 ❄︎ Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms
Day 9 ❄︎ Cherry-Rum Biscotti
Day 10 ❄︎ Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Day 11 ❄︎ Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Day 12 ❄︎ Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
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Thank you so much for reading!
Saltine Toffee Bark
Ingredients
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet and/or bittersweet chocolate chips
- toppings, optional
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 9×13″ baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil coated with no-stick cooking spray.
- Step 2 Lay crackers in a single layer. Cut crackers to fill to edges.
- Step 3 In a medium saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil (foamy at the edges), reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over crackers and spread evenly. Bake for 6 minutes.
- Step 4 Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake another 1 minute to melt chocolate. Spread chocolate evenly with an offset spatula. If you want to make bars, score the top with a knife. If toppings are desired, add them at this time.
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Step 5
Place in refrigerator to chill for 1 hour. Once hardened, remove from paper/foil and break for bark or cut along score lines for bars.
This recipe is adapted from Spoon & Swallow.
So I made this and failed horribly. Everything was fine till I put the chocolate chips on. Back in the oven for the extra minute, chips DID NOT melt!!!! I’ve never seen that before. How could chocolate not melt in a 400 degree oven?
Sounds like the chocolate seized; that’s when it thickens and hardens when it gets in contact with water… perhaps from the steam coming off the toffee? It can also seize if it gets too hot and scorches. Lots of science behind it and this is a useful resource, if you’re interested. Otherwise, I suggest waiting a bit longer before pouring on the chocolate chips or melting them in the microwave {with a little canola oil} in 30-second intervals and then spreading it on the toffee. Thanks for sharing your experience, and I hope you’ll try again with lots of success!
Well, I made it again and………….. (drum roll)
THEY ARE YUMMY!!!!! Thanks so much for the tips. I turned down the heat (oven was not accurate) and paused for a little bit between applications. THANKS AGAIN, you are my inspiration!!!
I’m so happy to hear that! And that you took the risk to try it again because they really are delicious. I think they’ll make a great Secret Santa gift, too!
I am definitely making these!!!!! I think somebody brought some of these to your housewarming party, right? Yum, Yum
Yes, ma’am! Remember how we sat around the table talking and eating it all up… addictive!