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Say hello to Holiday Brittle - that can't-stop-eating sweet treat that blends crunchy crackers, buttery toffee, and velvety chocolate finished with tasty pecans on top. This no-fuss sweet makes wonderful seasonal presents or party nibbles. After your first bite, you'll understand the nickname - it's downright impossible to stop munching!
Reasons To Whip This Up
This goodie comes together quickly with just a handful of basic items. You won't need fancy candy techniques - if you can warm up butter, you've got this! The combo of crunchy and sweet keeps folks grabbing another piece. It works beautifully at gatherings, sweet swaps, or as DIY presents. You can even fix it days before and it'll keep for quite a while.
What To Gather
- Saltine Crackers: Roughly 40 squares for your foundation
- Butter: 1 cup unsalted, to create your toffee
- Brown Sugar: 1 cup firmly packed, either shade works fine
- Chocolate Chips: 2 cups semi-sweet for the upper layer
- Pecans: 1 cup broken pieces, but other nuts work too
- Optional Extras: Coarse salt, candy bits, or festive decorations
Cooking Steps
- Prep Work
- Warm oven to 400°F. Cover tray with foil and give it a spray of cooking oil.
- Arrange Base
- Set crackers next to each other on tray. Make sure they're touching.
- Cook The Sweet Mix
- Combine butter with sugar in a pot. Let bubble 3 minutes while mixing. Drizzle across crackers.
- Heat And Finish
- Cook 5 minutes. Scatter chocolate pieces, allow to soften, then smear flat. Sprinkle nuts. Cool until solid.
Tricks For Tasty Toffee
Crafting toffee isn't tricky at all. Mix butter and sugar over medium flame, stirring until blended. Let it simmer exactly 3 minutes - this trick never fails. Don't sweat it if things look weird initially, just keep mixing. The mixture should turn honey-colored and smell sweet when it's done right.
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Picking Your Sweet Topping
All chocolate bits do the job, but fancier chocolate tastes way better. Semi-sweet hits that perfect middle ground between sugary and robust. Need something sweeter? Go with milk chocolate. Want something bolder? Try dark chocolate chunks. You can even throw in a mix. A tiny bit of sea salt sprinkled on makes everything pop.
Custom Creations
Get creative with different add-ons! Beyond nuts, think smashed peppermint sticks, butterscotch bits, or bright sprinkles. Want extra crunch? Swap in potato chips for crackers. Love mint? Go for mint-flavored chocolate on top. Put your extras on while chocolate's still soft so everything sticks nicely. Each batch can turn out totally different!
Sharing The Goodies
Holiday Brittle works wonderfully as presents. Snap it into chunks and stuff into cute containers or clear bags with ribbons. It stays good for weeks when stored right. Planning to give some away? Make twice as much - you'll end up snacking tons! It's just right for school staff, folks next door, or anyone deserving a sweet holiday surprise.
Keeping It Fresh
Store your Holiday Brittle in sealed containers. It'll stay tasty up to 2 weeks on the counter or a month when chilled. Put wax paper between layers so pieces don't stick together. Don't leave it somewhere warm or your chocolate will go soft. For the long haul, freeze it up to 3 months - it thaws super fast when you're ready.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → I don’t like pecans—what else can I use?
Chopped almonds or walnuts are tasty substitutes. Go for peanuts if you want that candy bar twist. Just chop everything fine to help it stick.
- → How do I store it so it lasts?
Keep it in an airtight container for a week. Stack with wax paper and chill it if you want it extra crunchy. Keep away from heat to avoid melting.
- → Can I make this early for parties?
Totally fine to prep ahead! Let it set fully before storing. Refrigerate it in warm kitchens, but avoid freezing—it can turn crackers soggy.
- → What’s a good nut-free topping?
Candy canes, sprinkles, or M&Ms work well! You could also crush up toffee bits or try sea salt for that sweet-savory mix.
- → Can I switch up the chocolate?
Absolutely! Use dark, milk, or white chocolate—or mix them. Swirling them together makes a pretty look. Be sure the chocolate melts smoothly for the best result.
Conclusion
Want more goodies like this? Check these out:
- Matzo Toffee - Perfect for Passover celebrations
- Pretzel Bark - With salty, crispy pretzels
- S'mores Crack - Add marshmallows and crumbs
- White Chocolate Cranberry - Great red-and-white holiday look
- Saltine Candy Bars - Peanut butter makes it extra-rich