Name: Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (270g); 2 tablespoons powdered milk (12g); 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 14 tablespoons unsalted butter (196g), sliced into tablespoons and divided; ½ cup granulated sugar (100g); ¾ cup light brown sugar (150g), packed; 1 tablespoon light corn syrup; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 large egg yolk, room temperature; 10 Saltine crackers, crushed; 1 cup bits o brickle toffee bits, plus more for topping; ½ cup pecan pieces, optional topping; 12 ounces chocolate chips; Holiday sprinkles

There’s something magically addictive about the perfect holiday treat, and this Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe hits all the right notes — buttery, crispy, sweet with a little salty crunch, and that irresistible toffee kick. I absolutely love making these when the kitchen fills with that warm-toasty aroma. Let’s dive in and make sure you nail this festive classic at home!

The image shows a stack of five round cookies on a white plate with a red rim. The front cookie has three visible layers: a light brown base, a smooth dark brown chocolate layer on top, and colorful round and stick sprinkles along with small nut pieces scattered over the chocolate. Behind the cookies, there is a green mug with white Christmas designs and a blurred small decorated Christmas tree on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies are your new holiday game-changer — whenever I bring a batch to a gathering, they disappear so fast it's shocking. I’m always excited to share how simple ingredients come together into these flavor-packed gems with that signature crackly top and melty chocolate finish.

Flavor explosion: The nutty browned butter combined with salted toffee bits makes every bite a delightful surprise of sweet and salty goodness.
Perfect texture: Crispy edges, chewy centers, and a satisfying crunch from crushed Saltines — it’s textural bliss.
Easy to customize: You can tweak nuts, chocolate, or add sprinkles to suit your style and holiday vibe.
Showstopper presentation: The glossy chocolate topping with festive sprinkles makes these cookies look as great as they taste.

The image shows several round cookies resting on a gold-colored cooling rack. Each cookie has a thick, soft-looking base that is light brown and slightly textured. On top of every cookie, there is a smooth, shiny layer of dark brown melted chocolate spread in a circular shape, sitting neatly in the center of the cookie. The background is a white marbled surface with a red cloth partially visible underneath the cooling rack. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays its own magic in this Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe. From browned butter for that deep, nutty flavor to crushed Saltines for a subtle salty crunch, it’s all about balance. Here’s a quick rundown so you feel confident grabbing your groceries.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with powdered milk, a few grains of salt scattered next to a tiny heap of baking soda, several slices of unsalted butter stacked neatly, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white bowl holding packed light brown sugar, a small white bowl containing light corn syrup, a small white bowl with vanilla extract, one whole large egg with a clean shell, one whole large egg yolk with smooth shell beside it, several Saltine crackers whole and unbroken, a small white bowl filled with golden toffee bits, a small white bowl with pecan pieces, a small white bowl filled with glossy chocolate chips, a small white bowl holding colorful holiday sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure with a tender crumb that holds all those mix-ins.
Powdered milk: Adds richness and helps with a soft, pliable dough texture.
Salt: Heightens the flavors and balances the sweetness, especially important with toffee and sugar.
Baking soda: Gives just the right lift and slight chewiness.
Unsalted butter: Essential for browning to get those delicious nutty notes — remember to slice it for even melting.
Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: The combo creates caramel notes plus the perfect chew.
Light corn syrup: It’s the secret ingredient for that chewy, glossy cookie texture.
Vanilla extract: Boosts the overall flavor and adds warmth.
Egg and egg yolk: Provide stability and richness — the yolk keeps them extra tender.
Saltine crackers: Adds that unexpected salty crunch, a signature for this cookie.
Toffee bits: For that mouth-watering, buttery toffee crunch spread throughout.
Pecan pieces (optional): Toasted for extra flavor and a nutty crunch on top.
Chocolate chips: Melted and spread over the cookie tops for luscious finishing touch.
Holiday sprinkles: Just because everything’s better with sprinkles this time of year.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to switch up the nuts and get creative with my toppings on these cookies, especially during the holidays — it feels like each batch can have its own personality. You should definitely experiment with what you like best!

Variation: I once swapped pecans for chopped hazelnuts and added a sprinkle of sea salt on top — honestly, it gave these cookies an elevated bakery vibe that wowed everyone.
Dietary tweak: For a nut-free version, simply skip the pecans and add extra toffee or chocolate bits.
Chocolate choice: While the recipe suggests chopped chocolate, using semi-sweet or even white chocolate chips can change the flavor profile beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Butter with Love

First things first, don’t rush this step! Add 10 tablespoons of sliced unsalted butter to a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir often — after 2–3 minutes you’ll notice the butter foam up and little brown bits form on the bottom; the smell will be nutty and amazing. Immediately remove from heat and stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to melt without browning. This browned butter is the flavor powerhouse behind these cookies.

Step 2: Mix the Sugars and Eggs

To your browned butter, add granulated sugar, light brown sugar, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Next, beat in the egg and egg yolk for 30 seconds. Pause and let the mixture rest for 3 minutes, then beat again for another 30 seconds. Repeat this resting and whisking two more times. This patience creates a thick, shiny batter that’s almost like caramel—totally worth the wait!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold in Crunch

Whisk together your flour, powdered milk, salt, and baking soda separately. Then gently fold the dry ingredients into your wet batter using a rubber spatula or paddle attachment until blended—don’t worry if the dough feels soft. Fold in crushed Saltine crackers and most of your toffee bits carefully to keep that crunch concentrated in each bite.

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a large (about ¼ cup) cookie scoop to portion dough 3 inches apart — this gives room for spreading. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, rotating halfway through. You want slightly cracked tops and edges that are just beginning to brown. Cooling on the hot sheet a few minutes helps them set without breaking.

Step 5: Toast Pecans and Melt Chocolate

While cookies cool, toss pecan pieces in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1 minute, stir, then another 30 seconds to get a tasty toasted flavor. Melt the chocolate chips gently in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, so the chocolate is smooth and glossy for topping.

Step 6: The Festive Finishing Touch

Spoon melted chocolate over the cooled cookies and spread just enough to cover the tops. Sprinkle toasted pecans, extra toffee bits, and a festive sprinkle or two while the chocolate is still wet. Let them set completely so the chocolate snaps perfectly when bitten.

Top Tip

Through lots of kitchen adventures making this Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe, I’ve learned a few things that really make a difference in how these cookies turn out every single time.

Butter slicing: Slice your butter before melting to ensure it browns evenly and quickly without burning.
Resting the batter: Don’t skip those rests while whisking eggs and sugar; it thickens the batter and improves texture.
Cookie sheet rotation: If baking multiple trays, rotate them halfway to ensure even cooking – it really helps keep all cookies uniform.
Don’t overbrown butter: Stop cooking the butter before it gets too dark; the extra 4 tablespoons should just be melted, not browned, to prevent bitterness.

How to Serve Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe

Christmas Crack Toffee - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for the little touches that make these Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies really stand out — for me, that means extra toffee bits sprinkled on top, toasted pecans, and bright holiday sprinkles. It feels festive and adds an irresistible crunch and color.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic on their own but pairing them with a hot cup of spiced coffee or creamy eggnog kicks things up a notch. They also work wonderfully alongside a festive cheese board or holiday punch for a full snack spread.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve wrapped batches individually in cellophane tied with ribbon for gifts, arranged them on a tiered holiday cookie plate, and even served them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cozy party dessert. Presentation is half the fun!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I always find they stay crispy on the edges and soft inside — just the way you want them. If you notice the chocolate topping starts to bloom, gently warming the cookies restores their shine.

Freezing

I like to freeze extra cookie dough balls by flash-freezing scooped dough on a tray, then transferring to a freezer bag. Frozen dough freezes well for up to 3 months, and when baking from frozen, just add a couple minutes to your bake time. This way, you can enjoy fresh cookies anytime without the fuss.

Reheating

To reheat, pop your cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This revives that melty chocolate and warm toffee flavor beautifully—almost like they’re fresh out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but I recommend omitting the additional salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies. It’s a simple swap that keeps your cookies balanced.

What’s the purpose of crushed Saltine crackers?

The crushed Saltines add a subtle salty crunch and help create a delicate texture contrast in the cookie, making them irresistibly delicious. It’s a signature element of the Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Absolutely! Freeze scooped dough on a tray for an hour (flash freeze), then move it to a sealed bag. The dough keeps well for 3 months, and you can bake cookies straight from the freezer by increasing baking time by a couple of minutes.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

No chilling is necessary here. The dough is soft and works perfectly when baked right after mixing. This makes the process quicker and more convenient, especially when you’re in full holiday baking mode.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Christmas Crack Toffee Cookies Recipe is one of those sweet treasures I keep coming back to year after year. The mix of buttery toffee crunch, salty crackers, and smooth chocolate makes it feel like a holiday hug in cookie form. I’m excited for you to try it out — I promise it’s easier than it looks, and your friends and family will thank you. So roll up your sleeves, have fun with it, and enjoy every crumb!