saltine cracker toffee is the perfect last minute holiday recipe! it is easy to customize, fun to make, and even more fun to eat.
the inspiration
Saltine cracker toffee has been around for a while! I am definitely not the inventor of this. However, I really wanted to make it and eat it so here we are!
This saltine cracker toffee is 100% vegan and packs in so much flavor. You get a little bit of everything: salty, sweet, chewy, crunchy, soft! It is an impressive little treat and so easy to make your own.
Be prepared to impress people with one of the easiest desserts/sweet treats you can make.
the ingredients
- Saltines: the base of our saltine cracker toffee is of course saltines. If you have no clue what saltines are, they are a square cracker that is made from wheat and baking soda. They have a nice crunch and snap to them. Since they are slightly salted (although they sell unsalted as well) it adds a little contrast to the saltine cracker toffee.
- Vegan Butter: we will need this for making the vegan toffee. I used Earth Balance but I do prefer using either Miyoko’s or Country Crock Olive Oil Plant Butter. I am using a salted butter as well.
- Organic Brown Sugar: when combined with the melted vegan butter we can make toffee! If you live in the US always make sure to use organic sugar to ensure it hasn’t been processed with bone char.
- Vanilla Extract: I like to add this into the vegan toffee to just add a little extra flavor.
- Vegan Chocolate Chips: these are distributed and then spread over top of the vegan toffee to give a nice chocolate flavor to the saltine cracker toffee.
- Pecans: used as a topping to add a nice little crunch!
- Flaky Salt: also used as an additional and optional topping.
the prep
This recipe is not very involved, so do not worry! Anyone can make this and I even think it would be fun to get your kids involved in.
First, you want to line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Then you can take your saltines and lay them out. The way my pan was I was able to fit 4 across by 5 and then I broke 2 saltines in half to fill in the empty space.
Depending on the size of your pan and how large you are making this saltine cracker toffee you may have a different amount of saltine crackers you need. It isn’t a big deal if you end up with 20 to 24 saltines (or 22 like me).
SWAP THE SALTINES
While the saltines are a great base, you can use Ritz crackers
or the snaps pretzel shape.
making the toffee
In my opinion the best part of this recipe is the toffee layer. It is salty, sweet, chewy, and just perfect. Making a vegan toffee isn’t hard at all, don’t be scared!
You just need to add the vegan butter, organic brown sugar, vanilla extract, and if you want a pinch of salt into a pot. Let it melt and then get bubbly and foamy over a medium heat. Mix it often during this process, it should only take about 5 to 7 minutes.
If you have a thermometer and you would like to check the temperature you want it to be around 260°F (126°C). However, it is not necessary at all to have a thermometer.
pouring the toffee
Pour the toffee over the saltines quickly. The toffee is going to harden because as the sugar it cools. That is why it is so important to already have the saltines prepped out and ready to go.
Pour the toffee over and then use a spatula or spoon to spread it out evenly amongst the saltines. The toffee holds the saltine cracker toffee together so it is important to make sure it is spread evenly.
vegan chocolate time!
Once the toffee is all spread out you can add the vegan chocolate on top. I like to use vegan chocolate chips but you can also cut up a vegan chocolate bar. The chocolate will also help to hold the saltine cracker toffee together.
Then, you will place this all in the oven. It only goes in for a few minutes this is just to help warm up and melt the vegan chocolate. Spread the vegan chocolate out all over!
adding the toppings
While the chocolate is still wet it is a good time to add your toppings. I kept mine fairly simple with pecans and flaky sea salt. However, this is really where you get to have fun!
There are so many options for toppings which also makes this saltine cracker toffee perfect for any time of year. Change it up to match the season and have fun.
topping ideas
I truly encourage you to go crazy with the toppings. This recipe should be fun and it is great to use up some things you may have in your house. Here are just a few ideas:
- Dried fruit
- Sprinkles
- Leftover candy
- Leftover baked goods, crumbled up
- Drizzle peanut butter
- Crushed pretzels
- Crushed waffle cones
- Crushed cookies
As you can see the list goes on! So, look in your pantry and get creative.
cooling time
Once you have your toppings on the saltine cracker toffee needs time to set. This just allows everything to solidify and harden. You want to give it at least an hour or until the chocolate looks dry.
I know this is the worst part of a recipe is waiting for something to cool but it is worth it. Once it is all hardened you can then crack it into pieces. It is very therapeutic, especially for the crazy time of year with the holidays!
why you’ll love this recipe
This saltine cracker toffee is such a great recipe. It almost reminds me of a candy bar with all the elements it has. Plus, it is so easy to make I promise anyone can do it. I also think it is fun to involve your kids in!
It is perfect for people who aren’t great at baking or don’t like to bake but still want to make a sweet treat.
more sweets
saltine toffee cracker faq
- Is this recipe nut free? If you leave out the pecans on top, then yes.
- Is this recipe soy free? The saltines contain soybean oil. The vegan butter and vegan chocolate may also contain soy.
- Is this recipe gluten free? The saltines do contain wheat, but you can use any gluten free cracker here.
- How long does this last? Up to 1 week on the counter in a container.
- Can I make this in advance? Yes. I would store it in the fridge and wait to break it up until you are ready to eat.
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Saltine Cracker Toffee
Ingredients
- 22 saltines
- 6 tablespoons vegan butter
- 6 tablespoons organic brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips
- ¼ cup pecans chopped
- Flaky sea salt for topping, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Assemble the saltines into a large rectangle, if necessary break the saltines in half to make it fit into a smaller baking sheet.
- In a small pot add the vegan butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes mixing together with a spoon or spatula. Once it starts to become foamy and bubbling it is done. If you would like to check with a thermometer it should be around 260°F (126°C).
- Pour over the saltine crackers quickly to avoid any hardening. Use a spatula or spoon to spread it out.
- Pour the vegan chocolate chips over and place in the oven for 5 minutes to melt the chocolate. Spread out evenly with a spatula or spoon.
- Finally, top it off with the pecans and flaky salt (or any toppings you like).
- Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until ready to eat. Crack with your hands into pieces and enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition facts are based on my gram measurements put into Cronometer. Yours may vary, they are to help you get an idea.
Looking forward to trying this. My family enjoys their sweets and toffee…and, this recipe looks so easy and yummy. Will be trying it out for our Christmas dessert. Thanks for posting!
Yay!!! yes it was so good and yummy. You will all love it!!! 🙂
Just made this recipe. I used a thermometer and I think it tasted a little burnt – my son and husband both say it’s perfect. A couple things: when you use a spatula to spread the caramel the crackers will move. Have a set of tongs on hand to move back in place. Also, use the spatula to press the nuts into the chocolate. I lost a lot onto the cookie sheet when breaking them apart. I doubled the recipe as I’m taking this to a party. I used a 13×9 pan. I had a 8oz box of crackers and used less than 1/2 the box. Plenty left to keep at home. Next I’ll try with peanuts. This recipe is a keeper.
Awesome to hear you enjoyed overall! thank you for trying it!