Introduction

Grinch Crack is a festive and irresistibly sweet treat perfect for holiday gatherings. This crunchy toffee-coated saltine cracker bark is topped with melted green candy and colorful sprinkles, making it as fun to look at as it is to eat.

A stack of five square treats made of light brown cracker base, topped with a thick green frosting layer that is smooth and shiny. The green layer is decorated with red heart-shaped sprinkles and small round and stick sprinkles in green, blue, and lime colors. The stack sits on a white marbled surface with more pieces scattered around. In the background, shiny red, green, and silver Christmas ornaments are slightly out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

35–40 saltine crackers
1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups light green candy melts (about one 12-ounce bag)

Red heart sprinkles
Green sprinkles of choice

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 10 x 15-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Arrange 35–40 saltine crackers in even rows on the prepared baking sheet, filling the bottom completely. Set aside.
Step 3: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter with 1 cup of packed brown sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture comes to a boil. Continue boiling for 2–3 minutes until the temperature reaches 270–290 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 4: Pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the saltine crackers. Use a heat-safe spatula to spread it into an even layer.
Step 5: Bake the coated crackers in the oven for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle 2 cups of light green candy melts evenly across the top. Let the pan sit for 2–3 minutes to allow the candy melts to soften and melt.

Step 7: Spread the melted candy melts evenly over the toffee layer. Sprinkle with red heart sprinkles and green sprinkles as desired.
Step 8: Allow the Grinch Crack to cool completely and harden before breaking it into pieces and serving.

Tips & Variations

For a different flavor twist, try using white or dark chocolate candy melts instead of green.

Make sure to spread the toffee evenly and quickly, as it hardens fast once off the heat.
Add chopped nuts for extra crunch if you like.
If you don’t have a candy thermometer, boil the toffee mixture for 2–3 minutes while stirring constantly to reach the right consistency.

Storage

Store Grinch Crack in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Avoid refrigeration, as it can cause the candy melts to bloom and lose their smooth texture. To refresh the crunch, allow pieces to come to room temperature before serving if stored in cooler conditions.

How to Serve

The image shows a stack of brittle pieces that have three main layers. The bottom layer is a shiny golden brown caramel layer with a crunchy texture. Above this is a rough, uneven light brown cracker or toffee base. The top layer is a smooth, pale green coating that looks like white chocolate or candy melts, decorated with colorful sprinkles including small round dots, green sprinkles, and bright red heart shapes scattered on the surface. Some pieces lie flat around the stack on a white marbled surface, and Christmas ornaments in red, green, and gold are blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of crackers instead of saltines?

Saltine crackers are ideal because their neutral flavor and texture balance the sweetness and add a crisp base. Other thin, square crackers can be experimented with, but results may vary.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can make Grinch Crack a few days ahead and store it in an airtight container. Just be sure to keep it at room temperature and away from humidity to maintain its crispness.