Christmas Tree Cake Crack
Christmas Tree Cake Crack is a festive, crunchy, and sweet holiday treat that combines salty saltine crackers topped with a buttery caramel layer and smooth melted chocolate, decorated to resemble Christmas trees. Simple to prepare with basic ingredients, this delicious snack balances sweet and salty flavors with a festive presentation perfect for holiday gatherings, parties, or gifting.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 pieces 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free crackers)
Base Ingredients
- 40 saltine crackers (approximately 2 sleeves)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
Toppings
- 2 cups chocolate chips (semisweet or white chocolate for variation)
- Festive sprinkles or chopped nuts (optional, for decoration)
- Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Arrange the saltine crackers in a tight, single layer covering the entire sheet, forming the base for your Christmas Tree Cake Crack.
- Make the Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Let it simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a thick, caramel-like sauce.
- Spread the Caramel Over Crackers: Pour the hot caramel sauce evenly over the arranged crackers, using a spatula to ensure all crackers are coated. This layer will soak into the crackers slightly while baking, making your Christmas Tree Cake Crack irresistibly crunchy with a touch of chewiness.
- Bake Until Bubbling: Place the baking sheet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the caramel mixture is bubbly and fragrant. Keep a close eye so the caramel doesn’t burn.
- Add Chocolate Topping: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot caramel. Let the chips sit for a few minutes until they soften, then use a spatula to spread the chocolate into a smooth, even layer.
- Decorate and Cool: While the chocolate is still warm, decorate your Christmas Tree Cake Crack with festive sprinkles, chopped nuts, or edible glitter to add holiday cheer. Allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature until the chocolate hardens.
- Cut Into Tree Shapes: Once fully cooled and set, carefully use a sharp knife or cookie cutter shaped like a Christmas tree to cut your cake crack into fun, festive pieces perfect for serving or gifting.
Notes
- Use fresh saltine crackers to maintain crispiness and prevent sogginess.
- Spread the caramel as evenly as possible to ensure consistent flavor throughout.
- Keep a close eye while baking to avoid burnt caramel, which drastically changes flavor.
- Choose good quality chocolate chips for smoother melting and richer taste.
- Allow the cake crack to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean cuts and prevent chocolate cracking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (about 1/24 of recipe)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Christmas treat, holiday snack, cake crack, caramel cracker, festive dessert, easy holiday recipe, crunchy sweet snack