This Gluten Free Christmas Crack recipe is sweet, salty, and completely addicting! Made gluten-free and dairy-free and with a refined sugar-free toffee. This classic saltine cracker toffee is a treat everyone will love!
Christmas crack, also known as cracker toffee, toffee bark, saltine toffee, or caramel cracker candy, are easy make-ahead holiday treats. This healthier version of the original promises to be sweet, salty, and just as delicious. And no one will know it is gluten-free vegan Christmas crack!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Simple ingredients
- Easy recipe
- Easy Christmas dessert
What is Christmas crack?
Christmas crack is a sweet and salty holiday treat made with crackers, a simple caramel, chocolate, and sometimes nuts. It's typically broken into irregular pieces, resembling "cracked" toffee.
It has a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy. The classic recipe uses ingredients containing gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. It's a perfect addition to cookie plates and other gluten-free Christmas desserts.
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete ingredient list and instructions in the recipe card below.
Gluten-free saltine crackers - Traditional saltine crackers are made with wheat flour, but gluten-free options are now available. Use your favorite gluten-free saltine cracker. I used Schar table crackers, but other options include Glutino, Stonewall Kitchen, and Absolutely Gluten-Free.
Other gluten-free crackers such as gluten-free graham crackers or gluten-free type Ritz crackers can be substituted.
Vegan butter - In place of unsalted butter use a dairy-free butter like Earth Balance buttery sticks or Miyoko's Organic Vegan Butter.
Coconut sugar - Classic Christmas cracker candy uses brown sugar. To keep the toffee layer refined sugar-free, I've swapped in coconut sugar in its place. It has a similar caramel flavor
Dairy-free chocolate chips - Use dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips. I used the Enjoy Life brand but use your favorite vegan chocolate chips!
Step-by-step instructions
Before you start: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a half-size baking sheet (13x18) with a nonstick silicone baking mat or aluminum foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
Step 1: Place crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Step 2: Place vegan butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Start to melt butter, then add coconut sugar stirring frequently until a low boil is achieved. Allow mixture to boil for 3 minutes and remove immediately from heat.
Step 3: Pour the coconut sugar mixture over the crackers. Use a rubber or offset spatula to spread it into an even layer so that the crackers are covered.
Step 4: Place the baking sheet in the oven for 3-4 minutes. Remove from oven and scatter chocolate chips evenly over top. Return the baking sheet to the oven for 2-3 minutes. Use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate chips evenly over the top.
Add sprinkles if desired on top of the chocolate. Once the pan has cooled, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for two hours. Once set, break the cracker toffee into pieces or cut into squares.
Recipe tips
- It took about 27 crackers (Schar brand) to fill the baking sheet. This will vary depending on the brand.
- Don't allow the toffee mixture to boil for more than 3 minutes or it will taste burned. Coconut sugar tends to burn faster
- An offset spatula makes it easy to spread even layers.
How to store
Store this gluten-free Christmas crack in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
Variations
If you'd like to add a different topping than sprinkles or would like some added crunch to your toffee bark, try the following ideas:
- Pecans, slivered almonds, pistachios
- White chocolate chips (EnjoyLife makes a vegan option)
- Crushed candy canes
More gluten-free Christmas treats
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Christmas Crack
Ingredients
- 30 gluten-free saltine crackers about 27-30 crackers
- 1 cup (165g) coconut sugar
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) vegan butter
- 1 ¾ cups (10oz, 286g) dairy-free chocolate chips semi-sweet or dark
- holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a half-size baking sheet (13x18) with a nonstick silicone baking mat or aluminum foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
- Place crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Place vegan butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Start to melt butter, then add coconut sugar stirring frequently until a low boil is achieved. Allow mixture to boil for 3 minutes and remove immediately from heat.
- Pour the coconut sugar mixture over the crackers. Use a rubber or offset spatula to spread it into an even layer so that the crackers are covered.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven for 3-4 minutes. Remove from oven and scatter chocolate chips evenly over top. Return the baking sheet to the oven for 2-3 minutes. Use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate chips evenly over the top.
- Add sprinkles if desired on top of the chocolate. Once the pan has cooled, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for two hours. Once set, break the cracker toffee into pieces or cut into squares.
Notes
- It took about 27 crackers (Schar brand) to fill the baking sheet. This will vary depending on the brand.
- Don't allow the toffee mixture to boil for more than 3 minutes or it will taste burned. Coconut sugar tends to burn faster
- An offset spatula makes it easy to spread even layers.
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