Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Christmas Crack is so easy to make and a total crowd favorite! It’s as addictive as it sounds and perfect for all your holiday parties!
Salty pretzels, sweet chocolate, and a hint of peppermint make this the ultimate Christmas dessert. Its toffee flavor is appealing to almost everyone!
I love Christmas Crack with pretzels because it’s so unique. When everyone else brings cookies, you have the perfect pairing!
I also love this crack pretzel recipe because it’s so much easier than most cookie recipes! And during this time of year, anything that makes your life easier is a big hit!
This Christmas pretzel crack is also super customizable! Top with any of your favorite sweets! Or let your kids go crazy with their favorites!
But the best part of this pretzel crack recipe is the flavor! It’s both sweet and salty. It lives up to its enticing name!
Also this Christmas crack makes a great gift for a cookie plate or just your own personal sweet tooth!
So get cracking on this tasty treat and happy holidays!
What is Christmas Crack?
Christmas crack is a holiday dessert that cracks when you bite into it! Although it’s pretty hard to resist too, though I don’t think that’s where the name of this treat comes from.
Typically Christmas crack is made from a crunchy chip or pretzel, saltine crackers are used most often though it can also be made with pretzels – like in this recipe.
It is covered in a buttery, sugary, chocolate layer, and then can be left as is but is often topped with other favorite pairings like peppermint candies or M&Ms.
I like making Christmas crack with pretzels because they’re much more flavorful than saltines are.
I also like them because I don’t feel like they turn soft as quickly as saltines do which means they last longer.
Who Invented Christmas Crack?
The original saltine was created in Missouri about 150 years ago. From there, people got creative with their crackers!
I imagine it didn’t take long for people to start playing with their salty cracker with chocolate, though if there is one specific inventor, I couldn’t find one!
What I did find in my search though was that there are so many names for this tasty dessert!
Cracker Candy, Christmas Crack, Toffee Bark, Cracker Toffee, Crack pretzels, and Pretzel Crack, just to name a few! It seems that everyone who makes it gives it their own special name!
And why not? Special desserts like these deserve their own special name!
What you’ll love though is that while toffee usually requires a candy thermometer and can be tricky to make, this isn’t!
Using melted chocolate, butter, and brown sugar, it’s an easy recipe for pretzel toffee!
What Ingredients Do You Need for Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Christmas Crack?
If you’re making homemade Christmas gifts, look no further. This salty treat has all your favorite things in one perfect combination!
- Pretzel Crisps: It’s okay to use both whole pretzels and their broken bits too.
- Butter: Because the pretzels are already pretty salty, choose unsalted butter.
- Sugar: Dark brown sugar gives the chocolate pretzel crack a sweet molasses flavor.
- Vanilla: Use pure vanilla extract whenever possible. It’ll give you the best flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate is my favorite in this recipe but you can swap with dark chocolate or white chocolate is preferred.
- Peppermint Candies: These are optional! If you don’t like peppermint, swap with your topping of choice.
Pro Tips:
- Try my recipe for White Chocolate Christmas Crack with Pretzel Crisps if semi-sweet chocolate isn’t your jam!
- Other topping ideas include: M&Ms, sprinkles, mini marshmallows, and chopped nuts.
- Chopped nuts will give your crispy dessert an extra crunch!
How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Christmas Crack
This Christmas Crack recipe is easier than Christmas cookies. For the full recipe, see the printable recipe below!
- Layer: The pretzel crisps should be in a single layer and as close together as possible.
- Cook: Be very careful not to burn your brown sugar mixture. You’ll cook it in a saucepan with butter and sugar. Then add the vanilla.
- Spread: Completely cover the top of the pretzels with the caramel mixture.
- Bake: You’ll bake for a few minutes, let it cool, sprinkle chocolate chips on top, and then bake again! It goes quickly, don’t worry.
- Sprinkle: Finally add your crushed peppermint topping and let it cool completely.
Tips and Tricks:
- Pour the caramel mixture very slowly so the even layer of pretzels does not move.
- Cutting is much easier if you remove the entire pan with the foil onto a cutting board.
- Non-stick aluminum foil on your cookie sheet will make these a breeze to remove!
- The freezer can cool the pretzel crack even faster if you’re in a hurry.
How Long Does Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Christmas Crack Last?
You’ll want to keep your famous Christmas cracker candy in an airtight container to keep any excess oxygen out and help them last longer!
I find they taste really great when kept in the fridge for up to a week.
After that, I find the texture isn’t quite that perfect crunch that you’ll want for your holiday season treat.
Can You Freeze Christmas Crack?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze this classic christmas crack!
I like making a giant batch of it and then pulling some out whenever we are having a holiday party. Or for late night eating! Don’t judge!
Keep pretzel crack in the freezer for up to three months.
Can Dogs Eat Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Christmas Crack?
Definitely not! Dogs shouldn’t be eating all that salt and butter to begin with.
But chocolate is also toxic for dogs and it should be avoided completely!
I know that during the holidays it can be hard to keep the dog away from all the sweets, but for their health, it’s very important that you do.
Easy Christmas Recipes You’ll Love…
- No Bake Cookies with Nesquik
- Cherry Chocolate Cookies
- Chocolate Pudding Cheesecake
- Swedish Tea Ring
- Toffee Doodle Cookie Recipe
- Peppermint Bark Hot Chocolate
- Cranberry Apple Cider
- Easy Caramel Corn Recipe
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Honeycomb Candy
- Andes Mint Cookies
- Oatmeal Pecan Bars
- No Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake
Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Christmas Crack is quick and easy! This delicious holiday classic should definitely make your next holiday party!
Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Christmas Crack
Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Christmas Crack is so easy to make and a total crowd favorite! It’s as addictive as it sounds and perfect for all your holiday parties!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a cookie sheet with non-stick aluminum foil.
- Line the cookie sheet with the pretzel crisps in a single layer. Keep them as close together as possible, and use some of the broken pieces in the bag to fill the gaps. You want as much of the surface area covered as possible.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the dark brown sugar and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil for three minutes, stirring occasionally and wiping the sides with a rubber spatula so the sugar doesn’t crystalize or burn.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the caramel mixture over the pretzels and use a rubber spatula to smooth out over the top.
- Make sure each pretzel has caramel covering it.
- Bake in the oven for 7 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes.
- Add the chocolate chips over the top of the pretzels and caramel, and return to the oven for one minute.
- Remove from the oven and use the rubber spatula to smooth the chocolate out over the top.
- While the chocolate is still melted, sprinkle on the crushed peppermint candies.
- Let it cool completely and then put the pan into the fridge to set for 2-3 hours.
- Remove from the fridge, and pull the foil out of the pan.
- For an even look, cut into squares with a knife. If desired, you can break into pieces instead.Enjoy!
Notes
Tips and Tricks:
* Pour the caramel mixture very slowly so the pretzels do not move.
* Cutting is much easier if you remove the entire pan with the foil onto a cutting board.
*Toppings are customizable, add and replace whatever you like!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 195Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 143mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 1g
Michelle
Monday 22nd of January 2024
Janelle, Can I use mint or peppermint extract instead of the vanilla and or peppermint candies? Any help would greatly be appreciated Michelle
Janelle
Thursday 29th of February 2024
Hi Michelle! Yes you can! My tip would be to go light on mint based extracts as they can be very powerful. If it was me, I'd leave the base alone and keep the vanilla. Then if I wanted to do a Mint version I'd melt Andes Mints down for the chocolate layer with chopped andes mints on top. OR melt the chocolate chips down and add the peppermint extract into that (go light as it is STRONG) then spread it on the toffee pretzels. I hope that helps!