Old Fashioned Caramel Crackers
Buttery Crackers and Peanuts Coated in a Sweet, Crunchy Caramel: If you love classic homemade candy, this Old-Fashioned Caramel Candy recipe is a must-try! Imagine buttery crackers and crunchy peanuts drenched in a sweet, golden caramel coating that’s perfectly crisp and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. This candy tastes just like something Grandma would have made: simple ingredients, big flavor, and that irresistible old-fashioned crunch.
This easy candy comes together in minutes and makes a fantastic holiday gift, party treat, or sweet snack. Every bite combines the perfect mix of salty, nutty, and buttery caramel goodness.
Old Fashioned Caramel Crackers: Have you ever bitten into a crispy, buttery cracker and been pleasantly surprised by a burst of smooth, sweet caramel? If so, you’re not alone. Old-fashioned caramel crackers have been delighting taste buds for decades, but many people today have never even heard of them. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or completely new to the concept, get ready to learn all about the delectable combination of crispy crackers and gooey caramel.
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Caramel Crackers
A super easy-to-make treat that is seriously addictive. These toffee crackers are everything you love in a sweet treat. Crunchy, salty, and sweet, with a rich buttery flavor, perfect as a Christmas party snack mix. You don’t need a candy thermometer to create this delicious candy recipe. This Christmas Crack Recipe also makes the perfect holiday season gift.
Also referred to as Saltine Toffee, my grandma always called them caramel crackers. Grandma would use full-size Saltine crackers to make her caramel crackers. Since then, cracker companies have introduced mini versions. I also use a mixture of two types of crackers, saltines and buttery club crackers. I like the combination of the two different flavors. Grandma didn’t add anything to her caramel crackers except for peanuts. Look below for an add-in list to create your own party snack mix.
HOW TO MAKE SALTINE CRACKER TOFFEE RECIPE INGREDIENTS LIST-full printable recipe below in recipe card
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar
- light corn syrup
- mini club crackers
- mini saltine crackers or oyster crackers
- salted cocktail peanuts
- baking soda
- vanilla extract
CRACK CANDY RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
- Two Large Baking Pans: Divide crackers into two pans, mix in peanuts, and set aside.
- Caramel Mixture: Add butter, sugar, and corn syrup to a medium pot. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Take the hot sugar off the burner and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. Pour the toffee mixture over the cracker mixture. Use an offset spatula to mix the toffee layer with the cracker layer.
- Bake Toffee: Bake at 250° 1 hour stirring every 15 minutes. Cool finished candy completely, break into pieces ENJOY!
Caramel Cracker Alternatives
After the Old Fashioned Caramel Crackers, also known as Christmas Crack Candy, have completely cooled, you’re on your way to creating the best Party Mix! Here are my suggestions for a great party mix. Of course, this homemade toffee bark candy is perfect on its own!
- CHOCOLATE: Every party mix needs chocolate; it can come in many different forms. M&M’s, mini chocolate bars, chocolate chunks, or chocolate chips. Additionally, you can add a drizzle of melted chocolate on top, creating a more candy bar-like flavor.
- SALTY: Pretzels, salted mixed nuts, potato chips
- CRUNCH: Chow main noodles
- FRUIT: dried fruit (cranberries, raisins), shredded coconut
- CHEWY: gummy bears, fruit snack
- COCONUT FLAKES: Make your own Almond Joy Candy Bar! Swap out the peanuts for almonds, add a drizzle of dark chocolate, and coconut.
- CANDY CANES: Crush candy canes and sprinkle over the hot mixture.
How Long Will the Candy Stay Fresh?
One of the best things about this saltine crack is that it will keep for up to 2 weeks! Be sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh and preserve its quality. It makes the perfect DIY gift for the holidays.
MORE EASY-TO-MAKE HOLIDAY CANDY RECIPES
- FRUITCAKE FUDGE
- STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE TRUFFLES
- PUMPKIN PIE TRUFFLES
- TART CHERRY PISTACHIO CHOCOLATE BARK
- PUMPKIN SPICE ALMOND ROCA
- PEPPERMINT MARSHMALLOWS
MORE OLD-FASHIONED CANDY RECIPES
Below are a few of my favorite old-fashioned recipes. CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE COLLECTION→OLD FASHIONED
- OLD FASHIONED CORNFLAKE CANDY
- OLD FASHIONED DIVINITY CANDY
- OLD FASHIONED CARAMEL APPLES
- OLD FASHIONED MARSHMALLOW-FILLED ICE CREAM CONES
- GRANDMA’S HOMEMADE PEANUT ROUNDERS
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OLD FASHIONED CARAMEL CRACKERS – FAQ’S
Buttery crackers such as Ritz or Club crackers work perfectly alongside the saltine crackers. They add a rich, salty flavor that balances the sweet caramel coating, giving the candy a light, crispy texture.
Yes! While peanuts lend this candy a classic flavor, you can easily substitute them with almonds, pecans, cashews, or walnuts. For a fun twist, try mixing a few varieties together for added crunch and flavor.
No, you don’t need one for this easy old-fashioned caramel candy recipe. Simply bring the butter, sugar, and corn syrup mixture to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes. Then, bake for an additional 15 minutes to achieve a rich, crunchy caramel coating.
Adding baking soda causes the caramel to foam slightly, creating tiny air pockets that make the finished candy light and crunchy, rather than hard and sticky.
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, your old-fashioned caramel candy will stay fresh and crunchy for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months — just let it thaw before eating.
Definitely! This is a great make-ahead candy for holidays or parties. Prepare it a few days in advance of your event and store it in a sealed container until ready to serve or gift.
Grainy caramel typically indicates that the sugar crystallized during cooking. To avoid this, ensure the sugar mixture is fully dissolved before boiling and refrain from stirring too vigorously once it starts bubbling.
Yes! Once the caramel has cooled, drizzle melted chocolate (milk, dark, or white) on top for an extra indulgent touch. It looks beautiful on a holiday candy tray.
This old-fashioned caramel candy is more crunchy, similar to peanut brittle, but with a buttery cracker base that adds a light, flaky texture.
Corn syrup helps prevent the caramel from crystallizing, but you can substitute honey or golden syrup for a slightly different flavor and softer texture.
In conclusion, Old-Fashioned Caramel Crackers are a delicious and timeless treat that has withstood the test of time. Through the use of high-quality ingredients and a simple yet perfected recipe, these crackers bring nostalgia and satisfaction with every bite. From their humble beginnings as a homemade treat to their widespread popularity in candy stores across the country, these crackers embody the essence of tradition and comfort. So why not take a trip down memory lane and indulge in the sweetness of Old Fashioned Caramel Crackers? Let Old Fashioned Caramel Crackers be your comfort food and share it with those you love. Who knows, it may just become a tradition in your family for generations to come.????Sheryl
Old Fashioned Caramel Crackers
This easy to make brittle candy is sweet, salty and crunchy. The perfect treat for holiday gift giving.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 (11 ounce) box mini club crackers
- 1 (11-12 ounce box or bag) mini saltines or oyster crackers
- 1 cup salted cocktail peanuts
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°.
- Evenly divide crackers and peanuts on two large baking pans.
- NOTE: When choosing your pot size, ensure you have about 5 extra inches of space at the top after adding the butter, sugar, and corn syrup. Adding the baking soda and vanilla will cause the sugar mixture to expand about 4 inches. In a medium pot, stir together the butter, sugar, and corn syrup.
- Bring to a boil (over the pan) and boil for 5 minutes. DO NOT SITR ONCE THE SUGAR STARTS TO BOIL.
- Remove the hot sugar from the burner, then stir in the baking soda and vanilla.
- Pour hot sugar over prepared crackers.
- Immediately stir to combine. TIP: Don't worry if, at this point, the toffee mixture doesn't completely coat the cracker mixture. During the baking process, you will have the opportunity to coat the crackers.
- Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Cool completely, break into pieces.
- Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
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I have a box of saltine crackers to use up. Can I use saltines, and saltines only? Thanks.
Hi Janine, Yes, saltines alone will work.