Christmas Crack Cookies

If there is one cookie that truly earns the title holiday obsession, it’s Christmas Crack Cookies. These cookies take everything people love about classic Christmas crack—toffee-coated saltine crackers with melted chocolate—and fold it directly into a rich, chewy brown butter cookie dough. The result is a bakery-style cookie that is sweet, salty, crunchy, and buttery all at once, with layers of texture and flavor in every bite.

These cookies are bold, indulgent, and absolutely unforgettable. They’re the kind of cookie that people ask about after the first bite, the kind that disappears first from the cookie platter, and the kind you end up baking again “just because.” While they look impressive and taste complex, every step is straightforward and achievable in a home kitchen.

Perfect for holiday baking, cookie exchanges, gifting, or cozy winter afternoons, Christmas Crack Cookies feel festive without being fussy. They combine familiar pantry ingredients with a clever twist that turns a classic holiday candy into a standout cookie mix-in.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Combines two holiday favorites: brown butter cookies and Christmas crack
• Perfect balance of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy
• Bakery-style cookies with rich depth of flavor
• Ideal for holiday cookie trays and gift boxes
• Makes a generous batch for sharing
• Uses simple, accessible ingredients

Ingredients Breakdown

This recipe has two components: the Christmas Crack (toffee crackers) and the cookie dough. Each component must be prepared exactly as written to ensure the correct texture and flavor.

Christmas Crack

• 9 saltine crackers
• 6 tablespoons salted butter
• 6 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (150 g) chocolate chips

Cookie Dough

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

Yield

• 24 cookies

Tools & Equipment Needed

• 9×9-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Small saucepan
• Medium saucepan
• Stand mixer or large mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Sharp knife
• Baking sheets
• Silicone baking mat or parchment paper
• Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Christmas Crack

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal. Arrange the 9 saltine crackers in a single layer across the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine 6 tablespoons salted butter and 6 tablespoons brown sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling, stop stirring and allow it to boil for 2 1/2 minutes.

Carefully pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the saltine crackers, covering them completely.

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 6 minutes.

Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle 3/4 cup chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Let them sit for 5 minutes, then spread the melted chocolate into an even layer.

Allow the cracker toffee to cool completely, then transfer it to the freezer until firm.

Step 2: Brown the Butter for the Cookie Dough

While the toffee chills, prepare the browned butter.

Place 1 cup (222 g) salted butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Melt completely, stirring frequently. Continue cooking as the butter bubbles and begins to brown, stirring constantly. Once it turns golden brown and smells nutty, remove from heat immediately.

Pour the browned butter into the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Prepare the Cookie Dough

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

Add brown sugar and granulated sugar to the browned butter. Mix thoroughly for 1 minute until well combined.

Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until the mixture is smooth and fully combined, with no graininess.

Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined. The dough should be very soft.

Remove the chilled cracker toffee from the freezer and chop it into small pieces. Gently fold the toffee pieces into the cookie dough.

Step 4: Shape and Bake

Scoop the dough into 3-tablespoon portions and place them on parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheets, spacing them apart.

Sprinkle the tops lightly with flaky sea salt.

Let the cookie dough rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before baking.

Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the cookies have spread and no longer appear glossy. The centers will look soft but set.

Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet.

Tips & Variations

Baking Tips

• Do not overcook the toffee mixture; timing is crucial
• Brown butter carefully to avoid burning
• Chop the Christmas crack into small, even pieces
• Do not overbake; cookies will firm up as they cool

Dietary Notes

• This recipe is vegetarian
• Contains dairy and gluten
• Not suitable for vegan or gluten-free diets without substitutions

Flavor Profile & Texture

Christmas Crack Cookies are deeply rich and complex. The browned butter gives a nutty, caramelized base. The toffee cracker pieces add crunch and saltiness, while the chocolate melts slightly into the dough, creating pockets of sweetness. Finished with flaky sea salt, each bite is layered, balanced, and indulgent.

Nutritional Overview

Per cookie (approximate):

• Calories: 169
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Fat: 5 g

These cookies are a true treat, best enjoyed as part of a balanced holiday spread.

Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Tips

• Christmas crack can be made 1–2 days in advance
• Cookie dough can be mixed and baked the same day
• Best baked fresh for optimal texture

FAQs

Can I make the Christmas crack ahead of time?
Yes, it can be prepared and frozen until ready to use.

Why do my cookies spread too much?
Very warm dough or insufficient resting time can cause spreading.

Can I freeze baked cookies?
Yes, once fully cooled, they freeze well for up to 2 months.

Why use browned butter?
Browned butter adds depth, richness, and a nutty flavor that regular butter cannot.

Cooking Timeline (At a Glance)

Stage	Time
Prep Time	40 minutes
Cook Time	15 minutes
Total Time	55 minutes

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookies slightly warm or fully cooled. They are ideal for:

• Holiday cookie platters
• Gifting in tins or boxes
• Dessert tables
• Cozy winter baking days

Arrange them on a platter with parchment or stack them neatly for gifting.

Recipe Variations (Using the Same Ingredients)

1. Extra Toffee Cookies
   Fold in slightly larger pieces of Christmas crack for extra crunch.
2. Salt-Forward Finish
   Add a touch more flaky sea salt on top before baking.
3. Chunky Bakery Style
   Scoop slightly larger dough portions for thicker cookies.
4. Crispier Edges
   Bake an extra minute for firmer edges and chewy centers.

Ingredient Spotlight

Brown Butter

Brown butter is the backbone of this recipe. Cooking the butter until golden releases toasted milk solids that add complexity and warmth. Always watch closely, as it can burn quickly.

Christmas Crack

This homemade toffee cracker mixture adds crunch, salt, and chocolate in one component. Freezing before chopping ensures clean pieces that distribute evenly in the dough.

Pro Cooking Tips

• Always use parchment paper for easy cleanup
• Let cookies cool fully before moving
• Use a light-colored baking sheet for even baking
• Chop toffee while very cold for clean edges

Storage & Freezing Guide

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freezer: Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months
• Do Not Refrigerate: Can dry out cookies

Nutrition Estimate Table (Per Cookie)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	169
Carbohydrates	30 g
Protein	2 g
Fat	5 g
Fiber	0.3 g

Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, contains dairy and gluten.

Expanded Conclusion

Christmas Crack Cookies are everything holiday baking should be: bold, indulgent, comforting, and memorable. By combining homemade toffee crackers with rich brown butter cookie dough, this recipe creates a cookie that feels both nostalgic and elevated. They’re fun to bake, impressive to serve, and completely irresistible once you take that first bite.

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or simply for yourself, these cookies deserve a spot in your holiday rotation. Once you make them, they’re almost guaranteed to become a yearly tradition—one that people will ask for again and again.

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