Description
Want the perfect holiday snack? Master the christmas crack recipe with pretzels using these 5 secrets to elevate your festive treats. Discover now!
Ingredients
For this perfect christmas crack recipe with pretzels, you’ll need:
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- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
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- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
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- 2 cups mini pretzel twists (about 4 ounces)
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- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
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- 1/2 cup festive sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or chopped nuts
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet (approximately 10×15 inches) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This is non-negotiable, friends! The toffee will stick to an unlined pan, and you’ll be chipping away at it for days (ask me how I know).
Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. They can touch or slightly overlap, but aim for an even layer that covers most of the surface.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. This is where Secret #1 comes in: Start with room temperature butter cut into small pieces for even melting.
Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant silicone spatula. Once it reaches a full boil (bubbling across the entire surface), set your timer for exactly 3 minutes. Keep stirring during this time – don’t walk away!
Secret #2: The perfect toffee requires hitting the right temperature (about 280°F if you have a candy thermometer), but I’ve found the 3-minute boil method works perfectly for busy moms without specialized equipment.
Immediately pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the pretzels. Don’t worry about covering every single piece – it will spread in the oven.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes. The toffee will bubble and spread further during this time.
Secret #3: Remove from the oven and let sit for exactly 1 minute before sprinkling the chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. This brief cooling period prevents the chocolate from scorching while still melting beautifully.
Allow the chips to sit untouched for 2-3 minutes until they become glossy and soft. Then, using a spatula or the back of a spoon, gently spread the melted chocolate in an even layer over the toffee-covered pretzels.
Immediately sprinkle your chosen toppings over the melted chocolate. Press them gently into the chocolate to ensure they stick.
Secret #4: For the perfect set, first let the christmas crack cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. This controlled cooling prevents the chocolate from developing that white “bloom” that can happen with direct refrigeration.
Once completely set, remove from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Then break the christmas crack recipe with pretzels into irregular pieces – I find that hands work better than knives for this!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 ounces
- Calories: 220
Keywords: christmas crack recipe with pretzels, toffee pretzel christmas bark, holiday pretzel toffee dessert, easy christmas dessert recipe, salty sweet christmas treat