These Brown Butter Christmas Crack Cookies are so delicious and have the perfect balance of sweet and salty. These cookies are made with a base brown butter chocolate chip cookie but are made extra special with pieces of Christmas crack, which is a bark layered with saltine crackers, butter, and brown sugar glaze, and melted chocolate over the top, sprinkled with holiday sprinkles and toffee. They make for the perfect holiday baking treat and are perfect for the Christmas cookie baking season!

A cooling rack holds festive cookies topped with chocolate pieces and red, white, and green sprinkles. Some cookies are stacked, surrounded by holiday decor, berries, and a lit candle in a gold holder.

How to Make Christmas Crack

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a standard 13″ x 18″ cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Continue to boil for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the saltine crackers. Spread it gently to cover all the crackers.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 4-5 minutes until the chocolate chips are soft.
Remove from the oven and use an offset spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly.
Add your favorite toppings, such as toffee bits and festive sprinkles.
Chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes until set. Break into pieces.

Tips for Making Christmas Crack Cookies

Use a Silicone Spatula: This helps in spreading the caramel and chocolate evenly without tearing the crackers.
Line Your Pan: Always use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
Chill Time: Ensure the Christmas Crack is thoroughly chilled before breaking into pieces for best results.

A person is holding a chocolate chip cookie adorned with colorful sprinkles and chocolate chunks. More cookies are in the background on a festive holiday-themed surface.

How to Brown Butter

Browning butter adds a rich, nutty flavor to your cookies. Here’s a simple guide:
Melt Butter: Place 1 cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Swirl and Heat: Allow the butter to melt completely. Swirl the pan occasionally to ensure even heating.
Watch for Color Change: The butter will begin to foam and then turn golden brown with a nutty aroma. This process takes about 5-7 minutes.
Cool: Once browned, remove from the heat and let it cool slightly before using in your cookie dough.

How to Store Brown Butter Christmas Crack Cookies

Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness of your cookies:
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Freezing: These cookies freeze well. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Recipe Alternatives

If you’re feeling adventurous, here are a few ways to tweak the recipe:
Different Toppings: Swap the toffee bits and sprinkles for crushed peppermint, nuts, or mini marshmallows.
Dark Chocolate: Replace semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
Add a Spice: Mix in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the cookie dough for a warm, spiced variation.

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Recipe Flavors

The flavors in these cookies are a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and nutty:
Brown Butter: Adds a deep, nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel.
Saltine Crackers: Provide a satisfying crunch and a hint of saltiness that balances the sweetness.
Chocolate: Semi-sweet chocolate chips add a rich, chocolatey layer that pairs perfectly with the caramel and brown butter.

More Christmas Recipes Like These Brown Butter Christmas Crack Cookies

Christmas Crack Cookies

Recipe by Maddison Koutrouba – thesqueakymixer.com

4.8 from 22 votes

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Servings

12-15

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on.

Ingredients |Christmas Crack

40 saltine crackers
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup tightly packed brown sugar
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup toffee pieces (optional)
1/4 cup festive sprinkles (optional)
Brown Butter Cookie Dough
1 cup unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups tightly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs + 1 egg yolk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1 1/2 cups christmas crack pieces

Directions | Christmas Crack

Starting with the Christmas Crack, preheat the oven to 400 degrees then place the saltines on a standard 13″ x 18″ cookie sheet fit with parchment paper. Set aside.
Place the butter and brown sugar in a small sauce pot. Place over medium heat and stir constantly with a silicone spatula while the mixture begins to melt. Allow the mixture to come to a bubble until the brown sugar dissolves. Once the mixture is fully melted, remove from the heat. This can take anywhere from 3-6 minutes.
Pour this mixture over the saltines, then gently spread it over the crackers, being careful not to shift the crackers around too much.
Once this mixture is spread evenly, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the entire surface evenly. Place this in the oven for 4-5 minutes. Remove from the oven, then use an offset spatula to spread the chocolate evenly on the entire surface.
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on your favorite toppings. I like to use toffee bits and festive sprinkles. Place the entire cookie sheet in the fridge to allow everything to set and chill for about 15 minutes before breaking into pieces!
Brown Butter Christmas Crack Cookies
Moving on to making our cookie dough, place the butter in a small sauce pot over low to medium heat. Allow the butter to slowly melt while occasionally swirling the pan. The mixture should begin to lightly bubble and foam. After about 6 or so minutes, the butter should start to take on a nutty smell. You’ll notice a layer of foam at the top and small brown bits at the bottom. Once this has happened, you can remove the butter from the heat and set it aside to cool down.
Once the butter has cooled, pour it into a large bowl and whisk in both sugars.
Add in the eggs and vanilla and continue to whisk until smooth.
Add all of the dry ingredients to the wet and use a silicone spatula to combine.
Once the dough has come together, add in the chocolate chips and fully cooled Christmas crack pieces. You will have extra Christmas crack. You can use this later on to top the cookies with once they’re baked.
Distribute the chocolate chips and Christmas crack evenly throughout the cookie dough, then let it sit in the fridge for about 20 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop and roll the cookies to about 3 Tbsp. sized balls. This is optional, but you can dip the ball of cookie dough in some more festive sprinkles before baking. Gently use the palm of your hand to press the cookie dough balls down slightly. Place the cookies 2″ apart on the cookie sheet; they will spread.
Bake each tray for 11-12 minutes or until golden brown.
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, place more Christmas crack pieces and chocolate chips on top. Let the cookies sit on the hot pan for about two minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Let cool and enjoy!