Bourbon Maple Pecan Christmas Crack
Crisp saltine crackers drenched in a buttery bourbon-spiked maple & brown sugar toffee, topped with toasted pecans, dotted with dark chocolate, and sprinkled with salt. This “Christmas crack” is dangerously addictive!
It’s the last weekend before Christmas! Are you ready for it???
I’m so happy to be sharing this incredible recipe today. It’s perfect for this weekend, which is sure to be a crazy scramble to fit in as much preparation and activity as humanly possible!
Whether you haven’t had time for holiday baking at all, or you just want to add one more kind of delicious to your already overflowing desserts table, this is the recipe for you! It’s so easy, you don’t even have to turn on the oven! You’ll be munching on bourbon maple pecan Christmas crack in 10 minutes, plus the time it takes to cool 😉
I made this with my husband in mind. He loves this flavor combo! Chocolate pecan pie is his hands-down favorite dessert. If I had been planning our Thanksgiving menu this year, this would have been on it for shiz. I felt bad that he missed out on it this year, so I figured I’d make it up to him for Christmas.
You may recognize the general idea of this recipe. It’s basically a toffee bark. Over the years, it’s acquired the nickname”Christmas crack.” Because it’s made with crackers, you crack it into pieces after it cools, and yes, it’s highly addictive!
It all starts with a sleeve of saltine crackers. Just lay them in an even layer on a sheet pan.
I typically prefer to line my pans with parchment, but for this recipe a silicone mat works really well. It’s non-stick and super durable, so you won’t have to worry about picking bits of torn paper off the back of your bark.
Butter gets bubbly with brown sugar, pure maple syrup, and bourbon, and the whole fragrant, caramelly mess drenches the crackers. While it’s still hot, scatter a boatload of toasted pecans on top, pressing them into place with the back of a spatula. Tumble a few handfuls of mini-chocolate chips over the surface, and hit it with a few pinches of salt. Done!
Once it’s cooled you can bust it up into big shards and nibble to your hearts content! You’re going to love the sweet/salty crunch, and that hint of toasty bourbon along with the rich nuts, buttery toffee, and dark chocolate…!
I want to wish you all the most merry of Christmases! I’ll be taking next week to spend lots of time with my loved ones, so there won’t be any new recipes on the blog until the 30th. ‘Til then!
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Bourbon Maple Pecan Christmas Crack
Ingredients
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) Saltine crackers
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, (2 sticks)
- 1/2 cup (110 g) light brown sugar,, packed
- 1/4 cup (59.15 ml) pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup (59.15 ml) bourbon whiskey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt,, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups (163.5 g) pecan pieces,, toasted
- 1/4 cup (45 g) mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Arrange crackers in a single layer on a lined baking sheet.
- Place the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt in a medium pot and bring to a bubble, stirring often.
- Attach a candy thermometer, and cook the mixture, stirring frequently, to 280 degrees F.
- Remove from the heat, stir in the baking soda, and pour over the crackers.
- Immediately scatter the pecans evenly over the surface, pressing lightly with the back of a spatula.
- Sprinkle with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, and the mini chocolate chips.
- Cool completely (10 minutes in the freezer speeds up the process), and break into shards.
Wow, Xmas Crack gets me every time and this just looks amazing!!! What a great variation!
Thanks so much, Luv What You Do! This was a big hit at our Christmas Eve get together. I’m so happy you liked it too! Thanks for the awesome feedback 😀
Ooooh, what a fun variety of Christmas Crack! I posted the traditional version yesterday. This stuff is sooo good! I need to try your version next Christmas! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
SO good, right??? Isn’t it amazing how something so simple could be so delicious? I’m so happy you liked my version, Cate, and I hope your Christmas was wonderful! And happy New Year, too! xoxo
This looks wonderful Allie! I love salty and sweet snacks 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and holiday with your family! xo
Thanks Kelly! Me too… Happy Holidays, dear! Hugs and kisses 🙂
I love how you made this creation with the saltines, Allie. I’m all about the butter bubbling with the brown sugar… you already have me hooked! Have a nice and most wonderful time celebrating the holidays with your cute family! (=
Thanks, Gloria! I hope your Christmas was magical, and you and your boys enjoyed! xoxo
It looks delicious! Merry Christmas, Allie!
You too, Erika!
This looks INCREDIBLE Allie! Just pinned and shared on Facebook 🙂
Thank you so much for reading, Trish, and for sharing! I’m so happy you enjoyed… Hope your Christmas was magical. Hugs to you and your adorable little boys…
I just found this recipe from the Will Cook for Smiles link party and it looks so good. And it’s perfect for the recipe link party that just went live on my website Future Expat. Today’s theme is SUGAR…so feel free to link this up and any other of your sweet sugary recipes.
Every link gets posted to Pinterest and the featured recipes each week also get highlighted on social media sites too. Would love to have you join us!
Thank you so much for the invitation, Karen! I’m heading right over, hopefully I’m not too late to join the fun!
OMG Allie! My mouth is watering just looking at these pics and reading the recipe! I am SOOO making this. Mr. Liz (lol) will loose his mind! 😉
It’s definitely “hubby food,” lol! Not that we can’t enjoy too, that is… I hope you both like 😉 Merry Christmas Liz! xoxo
Are you kidding me? Is this really this easy to make? Oh My – Girl, this looks delicious and 100% addictive!
I haven’t had much time to bake with my finals and whatsoever, so I’m definitely all in for easy, festive recipes like this one ;–) Thanks for sharing!
And have a nice weekend and Christmas and everything! xo
Thank you Consuelo! It really is quick and easy and soooo good! I hope you find a few minutes to whip up a batch after finals. Good luck and Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! Hugs to you, dear xoxo
I love the salty and sweet combination in these Ally. And the addition of bourbon is just great. I can see these being very addicting. Merry Christmas my dear 🙂 Have a great week with the family!!
Thank you, Zainab, and you as well! xoxo
I love the fact that you use saltine crackers and bourbon whiskey in this recipe. 🙂 This looks really good and I can’t wait to give it a try!
The saltines are so crisp and they just melt in your mouth, and that bourbon whiskey gives them a little edge 😉 It all tastes so good with the buttery toffee. I hope you do get a chance to make and try! I love this recipe, especially at this time of year! Thanks so much, Katy 😀
Hi Allie,
My first thought when I saw this post was “oh no, you didn’t!” I have to make this for sure; but I’ll wait until New Years to make it, as I’m up to the gills in holiday sweets already. But I sure can’t wait to make this. Thanks for sharing!
P.S.: did you see my message to you about a recipe for rum balls? I’m looking for a good recipe for rum, amaretto or bourbon.
Hi Kelli! I’m so sorry I somehow missed your rum ball message…? Did you send it via email, twitter, fb, or blog comment? Somehow it must have gotten lost in the shuffle- my apologies! I’m so happy you liked the recipe- it’s so good! I hope you get a chance to try it in the new year. Thanks so much!
Allie, I am also preparing for a holiday scramble weekend (how did it sneak up on us this year??) and plan on making all sorts of goodies like Samoa cookie bark! This looks too good and I love the salty sweet combo. Can’t wait to try it!
Oh my gosh, Samoa Cookie Bark!?! You are a genius! I love it and can’t wait to read all about it! Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Amy! Enjoy your crazy weekend! xoxo
love this spin on “christmas crack!” I just posted mine! 🙂 definitely a holiday favorite over here too!!! merry christmas, Allie!!
Merry Christmas, Alice!!! xoxo gotta luv Christmas crack, lol!