It is a universal truth that Christmastime is a time for treats. (Maybe not universal, but it should be!) There are a million different recipes out there for tasty wintertime snacks, and nearly all of them are called “Christmas Crack.” Don’t believe me? Head over to Pinterest and search for “Christmas Crack.” I’ll wait! :-)
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We can’t get enough of these addictive Christmas treats, so we thought we’d put together a post honoring them! Here are the recipes for 3 of our favorite treats , but they’re just the tip of the iceberg. If you have a favorite Christmas treat we haven’t listed here, we’d love to hear about it! Share it in a comment at the bottom of this post, and your response could be featured in a future blog post!
Ritz Cracker Toffee
This is the recipe most often associated with the name “Christmas Crack” and there’s a reason for it….the first time you eat it you will be hooked!
Ingredients:
- 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Pinch of sea salt (optional)
Directions:
Start by lining an 8″ x 8″ pan with parchment paper.
Place the Ritz crackers in an even layer covering the bottom of the pan.
Next, combine the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan and heat until melted. Boil the mixture for 2-3 minutes WITHOUT stirring.
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After boiling, immediately pour the caramel mixture over the Ritz crackers in your pan. Use a spatula to spread the caramel out in an even layer.
Place the pan in a 425 degree oven for 5 minutes to help thicken and set the caramel.
Next, remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips in an even layer on top of the caramel. Then pop the tray back in the oven for a minute or two to melt the chocolate chips.
Spread the melted chocolate immediately after removing the pan from the oven, then let the whole thing cool completely.
Break into pieces and serve!
Hopkins Family “Pigeon Mix”
We were introduced to this addicting treat through my daughter Britta’s in-laws, and I don’t know whether to praise them or curse them for it! If you taste it you’ll know what I mean! I. CANNOT. STOP. EATING. IT.
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Ingredients:
- 1/2 box Corn Chex
- 1/2 box Golden Grahams
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup white corn syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup butter
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together the Chex, Golden Grahams, almonds, and coconut. Set the bowl aside.
Combine the corn syrup, sugar, and butter into a saucepan and place it on your stove over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Pour the liquid over the cereal mixture and stir to combine.
Spread out on a lined cookie sheet and let it cool before storing.
Snowstorm Popcorn
I made this one year while stuck at home during a snowstorm and will forever associate it with that memory. I will forever be obsessed with how GOOD it is! Finger-lickin’ good!
Ingredients:
- 3 bags of microwave popcorn, popped
- 2 sticks of butter
- 16oz marshmallows
- 1 cup brown sugar
Directions:
Start by removing any unpopped kernels from the popcorn to discard. Place the popcorn in a large bowl and set it aside.
Place the butter, marshmallows, and brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave it for 2 1/2 minutes.
Take the bowl out, stir the mixture, then place it back in the microwave for another minute. Stir again. Repeat until the mixture is thin enough to pour easily.
Pour the liquid mixture over the popcorn and use a spatula to stir them together, making sure that the popcorn is evenly coated.
Let cool and serve.
To give as gifts:
The popcorn can be made into balls and wrapped in wax paper. The same works well for the pigeon mix. (Or a plastic zipper bag works well too.) The cracker toffee can be broken up into bite-size pieces and packaged in a cellophane bag with a bow.
However you present them…they’re sure to be appreciated and EATEN!
Hello. How long can i preserve the popcorn in sealed plastic bag?
It’s best when it’s fresh, but it won’t go bad for a week or two :-)
Sounds delicious! I need to try some of these recipes!
You have more great ideas than Doan’s has back pills! (If you remember those. Lol). Thank you very, very much as always.
Merry Christmas!
yumyumyummmmmm…thanks jillee.
and merry christmas!
Your pictures of the cracker snack show crushed peppermint sticks sprinkled on top, but you forgot to mention that in the recipe. The crushed candy adds a wonderful flavor to the combination!
I’m still hung up on that old standby Chex Mix, that buttery, garlicky, Worcestershire saucy cereal mix that means Christmas to me. Hard to watch my weight with all these wonderful snacks around!
THANK YOU JILLEE FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL RECIPES AND TIPS ON LIFE……….You’re an inspiration to us all………………………..Have a very merry Christmas and a most wonderful New Year …………………………….
Thanks so much Stacey! Merry Christmas! :-)
do u have anything i can make thats dairy free my brother is allergic to dairy
They all look delicious. I remember making a variation of the toffee using graham crackers as the base. The Ritz or saltine crackers would give the toffee that great sweet-salty combination.
One question – what size box of cereal do you use?
Thanks!
Regular size box, usually 17-20 ounces. :-)
I too love all three of these treats. They look yummy! Cannot wait to give them a try.
I am trying to avoid a lot of baking this holiday season (because I would want to eat it ALL!) but I think one of these recipes will be perfect for us this Thursday. A group of us are going to be making dinner for people at our local equivalent to the Ronald McDonald House and I am in charge of dessert. These look easy to make and are sure to be crowd pleasers. Also, I wanted to share with you a recipe that my sister calls “Christmas Crack.” So easy. She just buys a big bag of popcorn, drizzles… Read more »