Christmas

Simple Christmas Candy

by:
December  5, 2009
0
0 Ratings
Simple Christmas Candy
  • Cook time 3 hours
  • Serves 1 10x15 jelly roll pan
Author Notes

This is the first recipe I ever made for homemade Christmas gifts. It is from my Mom and I've adapted it over time. Even though I don't make this candy to give away anymore, I still make it during the holiday seasons. The ingredients are so simple and the candy is always a hit. For beginning edible gift makers, this is a great recipe to start with. —Kelsey Banfield

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 40 unsalted saltine crackers
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a 10x15 jelly roll pan with aluminum foil, folding the extra foil up the sides and over the rim.
  2. Line up crackers snuggly on the sheet so that they all fit side by side. They might overlap a little bit, that is OK.
  3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and sugar until warm and just starting the bubble. Remove it from the heat and pour it over the crackers. The crackers will "float" a little bit in the pan.
  4. Bake crackers for 8 minutes. Then, remove the pan from the oven and immediately scatter the chocolate chips over the crackers. Working quickly, with an offset spatula smooth the chocolate chips over the top as they melt. Then, distribute the sliced almonds evenly over the top. OTHER TOPPING IDEAS in lieu of almonds: Red, Green & White sprinkles to make it festive, Sea Salt, Chopped Hazelnuts
  5. Place pan in the refrigerator to cool and set for at least 2 hours. Once totally chilled, remove pan from fridge and break into squares. Store in sealed container in the fridge until ready to distribute.
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  • Maria Teresa Jorge
    Maria Teresa Jorge
  • SunnySideUp (lesley829)
    SunnySideUp (lesley829)
  • Mscam1972
    Mscam1972
  • Kelsey Banfield
    Kelsey Banfield
  • WinnieAb
    WinnieAb
Kelsey Banfield
Home cook, food blogger, cookbook author, wine lover, avid traveler, and mother of two young children. Check out my books: The Naptime Chef: Fitting Great Food into Family Life (2012), and The Family Calendar Cookbook: From Birthdays to Bake Sales, Good Food to Carry You Through the Year (2015), Running Press.

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8 Reviews

char
char July 21, 2013
serves 1 LOL! yup!
 
fritanga
fritanga September 16, 2010
This actually works very well with matzohs or graham crackers instead of the saltines. Old, old recipe.
 
Maria T.
Maria T. December 17, 2009
Kelsey, what fabulous recipe, would never have thought of using crackers as a base. Live to learn. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
 
SunnySideUp (.
SunnySideUp (. December 16, 2009
kelsey! i love your recipes (and photos). i actually make this exact recipe for passover and use matzah instead of crackers. i top it with crushed heath bar, peanut butter chips or even really good sea salt. i love the addition of sprinkles in your recipe. happy holidays!
 
Mscam1972
Mscam1972 December 6, 2009
My grandmother used to make this, thanks for posting!
 
Kelsey B.
Kelsey B. December 6, 2009
@WinnieAb & @MrsWheelbarrow - exactly! This is definitely from my "oldie but goodie" file - it's a classic easy Christmas bark that is timeless!
 
WinnieAb
WinnieAb December 5, 2009
I made something like this last year- "poor man's toffee"- love it...yum!
 
MrsWheelbarrow
MrsWheelbarrow December 5, 2009
I haven't thought of this candy in YEARS! I used to make it, too. Great memories - thank you!