I remember one holiday season when my kids asked if I could make Christmas Cracker Candy after seeing a beautiful post on Facebook. They were curious about the candy inside Christmas crackers and wanted to try something homemade for our holiday party favors. The excitement was contagious, and I dove into making this festive Christmas sweets with a bit of curiosity myself.
At first, I wasn’t sure how to get the perfect balance of sweet and crunchy for this traditional Christmas candy. But after a few tries, I found a recipe that brought everyone together around the dinner table. When the candy came out just right, with that perfect snap and buttery flavor, my family’s smiles said it all. This Christmas Cracker Candy quickly became a must-have in our holiday rotation.
Now, this recipe is my go-to when I want to add a special homemade touch to our holiday candy treats. It’s simple enough for a busy weeknight but special enough for Christmas celebrations. I’m really excited to share how easy it is for you to make this Christmas Cracker Candy in your kitchen, and how it can bring your family those same joyful moments of togetherness. Let’s dive into what you’ll need to get started.
What You’ll Need
For the best Christmas Cracker Candy, here’s a straightforward list of ingredients that keep things delicious and easy:
- 40 saltine crackers (one standard sleeve)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- sea salt flakes for sprinkling

You’ll find everything for this Christmas Cracker Candy at your regular grocery store, especially during the holiday season. For the crackers, any saltine brand works fine, but I prefer ones with a slightly thicker texture — they hold up well under the caramel layer.
If you don’t have brown sugar on hand for your Christmas Cracker Candy, light molasses mixed with white sugar is a fine substitute. Butter quality makes a difference here; I use unsalted European-style butter because it gives a richer flavor.
For those who want a nut-free version of Christmas Cracker Candy, skip the nuts and sprinkle some festive colored sugars or crushed peppermint candies instead. That’s what my youngest prefers, and she loves how it looks on top.
Prepping your baking sheet with parchment paper helps with cleanup after making Christmas Cracker Candy. Trust me, this simple step saves time so you can enjoy more moments with your family instead of scrubbing pans.
How to Make It
Making Christmas Cracker Candy is straightforward, and I love how satisfying it feels to watch it come together.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the saltine crackers in a single, even layer on the pan. Don’t overlap them—this Christmas Cracker Candy works best when each cracker gets a good caramel coating.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Stir continuously until the mixture boils. Let it boil for three minutes without stirring to get that perfect caramel texture.
- Immediately pour the caramel mixture evenly over the crackers on your baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it if needed, making sure every cracker is coated.
- Bake in the preheated oven for five minutes. You’ll notice the caramel bubbling and spreading—this is your sign the Christmas Cracker Candy is caramelizing beautifully.
- Remove from oven and quickly sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot caramel. Wait a minute or so for the chocolate to soften.
- Spread the melted chocolate over the caramel layer to cover the crackers. Then sprinkle with chopped nuts or sea salt flakes if you like.
- Let the Christmas Cracker Candy cool at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes. When cool, transfer to the fridge for at least one hour to allow the chocolate to set firm.
- Once set, break the candy into pieces and serve as festive Christmas sweets or package as holiday party favors.
This Christmas Cracker Candy usually takes me about 30 minutes start to finish—perfect for an easy last-minute holiday treat. Your kitchen will smell amazing while the caramel cooks, filling the room with buttery sweetness.
Don’t worry if your Christmas Cracker Candy looks a little messy when you first spread the caramel; it will set up nicely once cooled. A tip I learned: pour the caramel immediately after boiling to keep the best texture, or it will harden too fast. While your Christmas Cracker Candy is baking, you can start prepping gifts or set the table for your holiday feast.
Serving Ideas
Our family loves enjoying Christmas Cracker Candy as a sweet snack after a big holiday meal. It pairs beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or cocoa, which helps balance the rich caramel and chocolate flavors.
For holiday parties, I break the candy into smaller pieces and arrange it on a festive platter alongside other traditional Christmas candy and snacks. It’s always a crowd-pleaser, and guests keep reaching for seconds.
This Christmas Cracker Candy is perfect for holiday party favors. Wrap pieces in cellophane with a ribbon, and you have homemade gifts everyone will appreciate.
Leftover Christmas Cracker Candy stores well in an airtight container for up to a week, but it rarely lasts that long at our house. I’ve also tried swapping the nuts for freeze-dried raspberries for a tart twist that adds a bright pop to these festive Christmas sweets. My daughter’s friends truly enjoyed that variation.
If your family loves this, they’ll also enjoy the creamy magic of Christmas Cool Whip Candy for easy holiday treats. You can find that recipe and more creative ideas like a decorated Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board at MomsGate.
Your Questions Answered
I get a lot of questions about how to make Christmas Cracker Candy just right. Here are some answers from my kitchen to yours.
Can I make this Christmas Cracker Candy ahead of time?
Yes! I often make it a day or two in advance. Keep it stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge if your house is warm. It stays fresh and keeps its crunch.
What if I don’t have saltine crackers?
Saltines are traditional and give the perfect texture, but if you want to try a different crispy cracker, such as Ritz crackers, they work too. I’ve seen fun ideas like RITZ Fudge Covered Holiday Crackers on Snackworks for alternative holiday snacks.
How do I store leftover Christmas Cracker Candy?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature to preserve crunch. If your home is humid, refrigeration helps the candy last longer but might soften the crunch slightly. I’ve found my kids don’t mind either way!
Can I make Christmas Cracker Candy nut-free?
Absolutely. Just skip the nuts and add crushed peppermint or colorful sprinkles instead for a festive look.
What’s a good chocolate for Christmas Cracker Candy?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are classic, but I’ve used milk chocolate or even white chocolate with great results. Choose good-quality chips to get a smoother melt.
Do I have to bake the candy?
Baking helps the caramel bubble and stick better to the crackers. I’ve tried a no-bake version, but it’s not quite the same. For that authentic traditional Christmas candy flavor and texture, baking is the way to go.
How long should I boil the caramel?
Boiling for three minutes usually works best. Less time may yield a softer texture, and more than three minutes can make the candy overly hard.
If you want to see more ideas for tasty holiday treats, check out this list of 40 Best Christmas Treats to Make for the Holidays from The Pioneer Woman for inspiration.
The Final Word

This Christmas Cracker Candy has earned a permanent spot on my holiday recipe list. It’s simple, comforting, and creates instant smiles around my family’s holiday table. I love how it brings everyone together with little fuss and lots of flavor.
My Christmas Cracker Candy Tips:
- Use fresh butter for a richer taste and better caramel texture.
- Pour the caramel right after boiling to keep it smooth and easy to spread.
- Chill the candy well before breaking it to get clean pieces with a satisfying snap.
I’ve tried a few variations that worked really well: swapping in peppermint pieces for a minty twist, adding toasted shredded coconut on top, and even using dark chocolate for a deeper flavor. My husband prefers the classic nutty version, while my kids love the peppermint and coconut twists.
I encourage you to make this Christmas Cracker Candy your own by experimenting with toppings your family loves. It’s easy, fun, and makes tasty memories around the table. I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine does.
If you’re looking for more fun sweetness for your holidays, check out MomsGate’s Magic Candy Recipe for another crowd-pleaser. Christmas Cracker Candy is a holiday treat that never fails to bring joy, and I’m so glad to share it with you.
For more ideas on holiday party favors and festive treats, look into these fun inspirations: Saltine Cracker Candy ideas on Facebook, RITZ Fudge Covered Holiday Crackers on Snackworks, and of course, the variety of festive Christmas sweets shared by The Pioneer Woman.
Happy cooking and happy holidays from my kitchen to yours!
Christmas Cracker Candy
Christmas Cracker Candy is a delightful holiday treat combining crispy pretzels, rich chocolate, and festive sprinkles for a sweet and salty snack perfect for gifting or parties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 40 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 40 pretzel rods
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies
- 1 cup holiday-themed sprinkles
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional, for melting)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the pretzel rods in a single layer.
- Melt the semisweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Add coconut oil if needed for a smoother consistency.
- Dip each pretzel rod halfway into the melted semisweet chocolate, then place back on the parchment paper.
- While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or chopped nuts on the chocolate-coated portion.
- Repeat the melting process with the white chocolate chips.
- Dip the opposite end of each pretzel rod into the melted white chocolate and immediately decorate with holiday sprinkles.
- Allow all coated pretzels to set at room temperature or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until chocolate hardens.
- Once set, arrange pretzel rods and optionally wrap them in festive cellophane for gifting.
Notes
For extra flair, drizzle contrasting chocolate over the set rods or add edible glitter to enhance the holiday sparkle.

