How to Make Toffee | Cracker Toffee

Learn how to make toffee with easy step by step instructions and video. Cracker Toffee aka Saltine Toffee is a classic Christmas Candy that you can’t keep your hands off of! Perfect to give as a holiday food gift and so easy and quick to make.

Originally published September 21, 2011, updated with new photos December 2018, more details and video November 2019.

I love making sweets that can be made on a whim, like those that require just a few minutes and only staple ingredients.  I learned how to make toffee in an elementary school cooking class and have been making it from memory ever since. It’s so easy a second grader can do it (I’m proof!).

It doesn’t get any easier than this Cracker Toffee! It’s the ultimate shortcut recipe and like classic toffee it’s has a buttery, chocolatey sweet and salty taste you can’t resist! You don’t even need a candy thermometer like you do in so many Christmas candy recipes!

Cracker Toffee Ingredients

You just need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty sweet treat!

• Crackers – You can also use Saltine Crackers, Ritz Crackers, even Graham Crackers!
• Butter – Salted or unsalted, your choice!
• Brown Sugar
• Chocolate Chips – Semi-Sweet are my favorite, but you can use milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate.

Optional Additions

• Pecans
• M&M’s
• Sprinkles
• Sea Salt Flakes

How to Make Toffee

To see how easy it is to make cracker toffee, watch the video in this post!

It won’t take you any longer than twenty minutes to make these toffee treats, and the recipe makes a huge batch! I promise you everyone will be asking for this recipe and they won’t believe how simple it is!

1. Prep – Preheat oven. Line a jelly roll pan (or cookie sheet) with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2. Line with a single layer of saltine crackers. You can use Ritz crackers as well, but they don’t line up as well because of their circle shape. For a fun twist without the salt, you can even use graham crackers.
3. Make Toffee Mixture – In a saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil – about 3 minutes.
4. Pour mixture over the crackers and spread.
5. Bake in the oven.
6. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top and smooth on top.
7. Cut into squares or triangles when cool.

Optional: Sprinkle with sea salt just before chocolate sets…

or nuts…

or M&M’s – your choice!

This Recipe is Perfect For Holiday Food Gifts

Remember, it’s not just for Christmas either – sprinkle it with red, white and blue sprinkles for 4th of July or red hearts for Valentine’s. Don’t limit yourself to just having this saltine cracker toffee just once a year!

I’m always receiving special requests my cracker toffee! You’d never guess the secret that lies beneath the chocolate and buttery brown sugar layers in this saltine cracker toffee. That’s why it’s one of my favorite edible gifts to give, too!

You can place an assortment in a small box or tin or in cellophane bags, tied with a ribbon and one of my “Wishing you a sweet Christmas” gift tags available to subscribers.

Are you on the list? If not, you can join our community for the best recipes, entertaining ideas, home decor hacks and subscriber only benefits like free printables. Join here!

How Long Does Saltine Cracker Toffee Last?

This sweet and salty homemade candy will last for up to a week, when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the layers with parchment. Saying that, I’d be surprised if it stays around that long – everyone will want a piece! You can easily double or triple this recipe for a bigger batch!

Tips to Make Toffee

• Keep your eye on the toffee while boiling. Make sure you boil it for 3 minutes (set a timer if needed) so it doesn’t burn.
• Use a heat-proof spatula to spread the toffee and chocolate layers.
• For the chocolate, we use a good quality semisweet chocolate. You can use milk or dark chocolate if you prefer.
• Not a fan of a good swirl? How about topping the chocolate with chopped nuts, crushed candy canes, pretzels, M&M’s, sprinkles… the options are endless!
• Be prepared to give out the recipe. People will be asking you for it!

If you try this saltine cracker toffee recipe, please come back to share using my 5 star rating in the comments below! Not only do I appreciate it, but I know readers do, too! For more easy recipes and simple living ideas, subscribe to my newsletter!