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Christmas Crack Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 136 reviews

Christmas Crack Cookies are a delightful holiday treat combining the irresistible crunch of saltine crackers topped with homemade toffee and rich chocolate bursts, folded into a soft, brown butter cookie dough. These cookies offer a perfect balance of salty and sweet flavors with a satisfying texture, ideal for festive gatherings or cozy winter indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Christmas Crack Base

  • 9 saltine crackers
  • 6 tbsp salted butter
  • 6 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup (150g) chocolate chips
  • Flaky sea salt, for garnish

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup (222g) salted butter, browned
  • 1 cup (246g) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (115g) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups (342g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Christmas Crack Base: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, then neatly arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer to cover the bottom.
  2. Make Toffee Topping: In a small saucepan, combine 6 tbsp salted butter and 6 tbsp brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring, then allow it to boil for 2 1/2 minutes. Immediately pour the hot toffee evenly over the arranged saltine crackers.
  3. Bake Toffee Covered Crackers: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 6 minutes to let the toffee set and bubble on top of the crackers.
  4. Top with Chocolate Chips: Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle 3/4 cup chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Let the chocolate sit for 5 minutes until softened, then spread it evenly over the toffee layer. Allow the entire crust to cool completely before placing it in the freezer to chill.
  5. Brown the Butter for Dough: While the toffee chills, melt 1 cup salted butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Continue cooking and stirring until the butter bubbles, darkens to a golden brown, and emits a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately.
  6. Mix Dough Ingredients: Transfer the browned butter to a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl. Add 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar, mixing thoroughly for about 1 minute until well combined.
  7. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate 2 eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract into the sugar mixture, mixing until the batter is smooth and free of graininess.
  8. Combine Dry Ingredients: Add 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt into the batter, mixing until just combined. The resulting dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
  9. Chop and Fold in Christmas Crack Pieces: Remove the chilled cracker toffee from the freezer and chop it into small bits. Gently fold these pieces into the cookie dough so they are evenly distributed.
  10. Portion and Prepare for Baking: Using a tablespoon, scoop out 3-tablespoon portions of dough onto parchment or silicone-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle each cookie dough mound with flaky sea salt on top for a savory crunch.
  11. Rest the Dough: Allow the cookie dough balls to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to enhance spreading and texture during baking.
  12. Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes or until they have spread out and the surface is no longer glossy, indicating they are done but still soft inside.
  13. Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack or serving. Enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and buttery Christmas Crack Cookies!

Notes

  • Make sure to watch the toffee carefully as it boils; boiling too long can burn it and too short may prevent proper setting.
  • Browned butter adds a rich, nutty flavor; don’t skip this step for the cookie dough’s unique taste.
  • Resting the dough before baking helps the cookies spread evenly and achieve the perfect chewy texture.
  • Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • Use high-quality chocolate chips and flaky sea salt for the best flavor contrast.

Keywords: Christmas Crack Cookies, holiday cookies, chocolate chip cookies, brown butter cookies, salty sweet cookies, festive desserts

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/christmas-crack-cookies-recipe/