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Saltine Toffee is a fun and easy candy to make during the holidays! This salty-sweet treat is perfect for gifting. 

Saltine toffee stacked on a white platter

I’m not sure where saltine toffee originated, but I’m sure glad it did. Sweet, salty, crunchy — what’s not to love?

If you’re into making homemade candies for the holidays like homemade marshmallows or turtle pretzel candy clusters, saltine cracker toffee is a must-add to your list.

This toffee recipe is great because it is so easy, and you might even already have everything on hand!

Saltine crackers lined up in a foil-lined sheet pan

WHAT IS TOFFEE MADE OF?

Toffee is one of the easiest candies to make at home. All you need is butter, brown sugar or molasses, and a watchful eye.

Cooking butter and brown sugar together creates butterscotch. If you continue to cook it to what is called “hard crack” stage like in pecan brittle, you’ve made toffee.

For this recipe some of the cooking is done in the oven, making it even easier. You don’t need a candy thermometer here, but make sure to set the timer!

toffee candy base for saltine toffee in a small sauce pan

HOW TO MAKE SALTINE TOFFEE

To make this toffee recipe, you’ll first need to preheat the oven to 400°F, and then prepare the pan.

Take a rimmed baking sheet and line it with foil. Make sure it comes up on the sides a little; you might need to overlap two pieces of foil to cover the whole pan. Lightly coat the pan with nonstick spray. 

Open the saltine crackers (make sure to use salted!) and arrange a single layer in the pan, making sure the edges of the crackers are touching. You should be able to fit about 40 crackers into a standard baking sheet.

Saltine crackers and toffee candy base in a foil lined sheet pan

Grab a saucepan and set it over medium heat. Add the butter and brown sugar, and stir often to help the mixture melt.

Once bubbles start to form, set your timer for 3 minutes and continue to cook, stirring as needed.

Chocolate chips sprinkled on top of saltine toffee in a foil-lined sheet pan

Now, here you need to work quickly! When the timer is up, immediately pour the liquid evenly onto the saltine crackers. You can use a silicone or offset spatula to smooth out the toffee.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. You’ll notice the toffee will be very bubbly, and the crackers might be floating on top of it.

Melted chocolate spread on top of saltine toffee in a foil-lined sheet pan

Sprinkle on the chocolate chips and then return the pan to the oven for just a minute or two. You only need the chocolate soft enough to spread.

Use your spatula to spread the chocolate evenly across the toffee, then sprinkle on chopped pecans. 

Assembled saltine toffee in a foil-lined sheet pan

Make sure to let the toffee cool completely before breaking apart into pieces. It’s hard to resist, but worth it!

Store the finished saltine toffee in an airtight container.

Four pieces of saltine toffee stacked on a white plate in front of a cup of coffee

VARIATIONS FOR SALTINE CRACKER TOFFEE

This recipe is great for customizing, especially if you’re giving as gifts!

  • Swap the chocolate. Try it with white chocolate, extra dark chocolate, or go for a marbled look by using multiple varieties. You can even use broken up chocolate bar pieces instead of chocolate chips.
  • Go nuts! I love pecans, but this is also good with almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, or even peanuts.
  • Add dried fruits. Dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries make an excellent addition. Sprinkle them on with or without the nuts after spreading the chocolate.
  • Make it festive! Who doesn’t love sprinkles? Add your favorite colors or holiday blend to match with the season.
Two pieces of saltine toffee arranged on a white plate next to a cup of coffee

Need some other quick and delicious homemade holiday candies? Try my peppermint sugar cookie bark and peppermint oreo cookie balls! Or try making a more traditional version of homemade toffee!

Overhead view of plates full of saltine toffee next to coffee and an espresso maker
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Saltine Toffee

By: Jamie Lothridge
4.49 from 50 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 40 pieces
Saltine Toffee is a fun and easy candy to make during the holidays! This salty-sweet treat is perfect for gifting. 

Ingredients

  • 40 salted saltine crackers
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 12 ounces milk dark, or white chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup chopped pecans optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray. 
  • Line up the saltines on the prepared baking sheet so they are touching. Set aside.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the butter and brown sugar to a boil, stirring frequently. As soon as the mixture begins to boil, set a timer and boil for 3 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and very carefully pour the mixture evenly over the prepared crackers.
  • Bake for 5 minutes. The sugar mixture will be very bubbly and the crackers will have started to float. 
  • Remove from the oven and use the tip of a knife to line the crackers back up if needed. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top; return the pan to the oven for 1-2 minutes, until the chocolate is soft enough to spread.
  • Use an offset spatula to evenly spread the chocolate over the crackers. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans, if using.
  • Let cool completely. (Place the pan in the refrigerator if you need it to cool faster.) Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

Video

Notes

  • If you do not like pecans, you can use almonds, walnuts, or even cashews in their place.

Nutrition

Serving: 2pieces, Calories: 157kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Sodium: 15mg, Sugar: 9g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4 Comments

  1. Mary says:

    I make this every Christmas for the topping I use crushed candy cane. So festive and delicious.

    1. Jamie says:

      I bet that is super cute and yummy! Thanks for stopping by and sharing! Happy baking –
      Jamie

  2. Robin says:

    I have unsubscribe there is WAY too many things on the screen. Can’t see most of the page because of the ads. Right now I’m not sure if I’m even typing correct since I can’t see some portions of the comment box. When I do hit X to remove ad it either briefly goes away or opens. Very unhappy about this because from what I can see your recipes are AWESOME.

    1. Jamie says:

      Sometimes the ads glitch, Robin and there’s not much we can do about that. Sorry to see you go! Happy Holidays!
      -Jamie