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4.95 from 19 votes
Home By Course Desserts No-Bake

Lightened up Christmas Crack (Less Butter & Sugar, Still Insanely Amazing)

It isn't the holiday season without a batch of my favorite Christmas Crack! And now you enjoy it even more knowing it's made with a little less sugar but still has all the same amazing taste! Perfect for a sweet holiday treat or gifting to friends and family! 

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By: Lauren published: Dec. 13, 2023 updated: Mar. 26, 2024 13 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Crack
Ingredients and Substitutions
Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations
How To Make
How To Store
Make It A Gift!
FAQ: Lightened up Christmas Crack
More Holiday Treat Recipes You’ll Love
Lightened up Christmas Crack (Less Butter & Sugar)
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

One of my absolute favorite treats to make each holiday season is Christmas Crack and this lightened up version is the perfect balance of all the classic taste you know and love but with a little less sugar and butter.

If you’ve never had Christmas crack before you have to try! It’s made with layers of saltine crackers, a soft toffee layer and a creamy chocolate layer on top! It’s sweet, salty and absolutely addicting. 

And not only will you love this recipe but so will everyone else! Make a double batch and package up in cute tins for a gift everyone will love! Perfect for your kid’s teachers, co-workers, friends or family! It’s also perfect for your next holiday party. 

Looking for more awesome holiday treats? Try my Healthy Scotcheroos, Dark Chocolate Pretzel Bark, Peanut Butter Fudge or Christmas White Chocolate Chex Mix, all guaranteed to bring holiday cheer! 

Healthy Christmas Crack stacked up on a small plate.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Crack

  • All the same amazing taste of the original recipe but with less sugar and butter.
  • Lightened up so you can feel good about enjoying!
  • A delicious treat for you or turn into gifts for friends, teachers, co-workers, etc.
  • Can easily be made gluten-free or dairy-free!
  • Quick and easy to make! Prepped in just 20 minutes!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Labeled ingredients for Christmas crack.
  • Saltine crackers – you can also use ritz crackers or club crackers.
  • Butter – I used unsalted butter
  • Brown sugar – I used Truvia brown sugar. Regular brown sugar or coconut sugar also works. 
  • Syrup – sugar free pancake syrup or pure maple syrup.
  • Honey
  • Chocolate chips – I used semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations

  • Make it gluten-free! Sub saltine crackers for gluten-free saltine crackers, almond crackers, gluten-free graham crackers, gluten-free pretzels, etc.
  • Add your favorite toppings! Top with crushed candy canes, dried cranberries, pistachios, walnuts, drizzled white chocolate, M&M’s, holiday sprinkles, or your favorite candy topping!
  • Use white chocolate! Sub the semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for white chocolate. 

How To Make

The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!

A single layer of crackers on a baking sheet.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray. Arrange crackers in a single layer on the sheet pan. You may need to break a few crackers in half. 

Butter, brown sugar, syrup, and honey in a skillet.

2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, syrup and honey.

Toffee boiling in a skillet.

3. Bring the toffee to a boil while stirring continuously, then allow the mixture to boil for 3 minutes (270 to 290 degrees if using a candy thermometer or until it turns caramel in color).

Toffee poured over the layer of crackers on a baking sheet.

4. Pour the toffee over the crackers. Working quickly, spread the toffee evenly over the crackers with a spatula. It’s okay if the crackers aren’t coated completely. 

Crackers topped with toffee on a baking sheet.

5. Bake for 4-5 minutes or until it’s hot and bubbly. 

Chocolate chips on top of crackers topped with toffee.

6. Take out and top with chocolate chips. Return to the oven for another 2 minutes for the chocolate chips to melt.

Melted chocolate chips being spread on top of the layer of crackers.

7. Then remove and spread the melted chocolate with a spatula. 

Melted chocolate on top of the later of crackers on a baking sheet.

8. Freeze or refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chocolate has set. Then break the toffee into pieces and ENJOY!

How To Store

Store this Healthy Christmas Crack recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. You can also freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw for 10 minutes before eating. Just make sure not to let it sit out at room temperature for too long or the chocolate will start to melt. 

holiday tip

Make It A Gift!

This yummy Christmas cracker candy makes the best holiday gift or treat! Make a big batch and package in cute tins for neighbors, teachers, friends, co-workers or family! A few recommendations:

  1. Make as instructed and let freezer for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Line a tin with parchment paper.
  3. Place crack candy in tin and close lid.
  4. Keep in freezer until ready to deliver or gift.
Pieces of healthy Christmas Crack p spread out.

FAQ: Lightened up Christmas Crack

Why did my Christmas crack candy come out chewy?

There are a few reasons this could have happened. Make sure you let the toffee boil for 3-4 minutes. It should darken in color and thicken up (needs to reach 270-290 degrees Fahrenheit) before removing it from the heat and pouring it over the crackers. Also, if you didn’t let the crack candy cool down enough before serving, there’s a chance it didn’t get enough time to firm up. Make sure to let it cool in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 30 minutes to harden.

Do I have to use saltine crackers for this recipe?

I love the taste of saltines (salty and sweet) in this recipe but you can use almost any type of cracker you prefer! Many people like to use ritz crackers or club crackers. You can also sub for any type of gluten-free cracker like gluten-free salt crackers, Simple Mills almond crackers, gluten-free graham crackers, gluten-free pretzels or make your own crackers for gluten-free Christmas crack. 

Should I store this saltine cracker toffee candy on the countertop or fridge?

For best results, I recommend storing this healthy Christmas crack in the fridge or freezer! Technically, you can store it out on the counter top but if your house is warm (or you’re doing other Christmas baking) the chocolate topping might start to melt. If storing in the freezer, just be sure to let thaw for 10 minutes or so before eating! 

More Holiday Treat Recipes You’ll Love

Dark chocolate pretzel bark broken into pieces on parchment paper.

Dark Chocolate Pretzel Bark (with Peanuts!)

Christmas White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe (AKA Christmas Crack Chex Mix)

4 ingredient peanut butter fudge topped with peanut butter cups cut into bars on parchment paper.

Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge with chopped Reese’s

Peanut butter cornflake bars cut into bars on parchment paper.

Peanut Butter Cornflake Bars (no corn syrup)

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

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4.95 from 19 votes

Lightened up Christmas Crack (Less Butter & Sugar)

? Vegetarian
It isn't the holiday season without a batch of my favorite Christmas Crack! And now you enjoy it even more knowing it's made with a little less sugar but still has all the same amazing taste! Perfect for a sweet holiday treat or gifting to friends and family! 
Yield: 15
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Additional Time: 30 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 50 minutes mins
Calories: 210kcal
Protein: 1.8g
Fat: 14.3g
Carbs: 18.5g

Ingredients

  • 44 saltine crackers
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter 1.5 sticks
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (48g) I used Truvia
  • 1/4 cup sugar free pancake syrup (60g) or pure maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp honey (42g)
  • 1.25 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (224g)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray.
  • Arrange crackers in a single layer on the sheet pan. You may need to break a few crackers in half.
  • Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, syrup and honey. Bring the toffee to a boil while stirring continuously, then allow the mixture to boil for 3 minutes (270 to 290 degrees if using a candy thermometer or until it turns caramel in color).
  • Pour the toffee over the crackers. Working quickly, spread the toffee evenly over the crackers with a spatula. It’s okay if the crackers aren’t coated completely.
  • Bake for 4-5 minutes or until it’s hot and bubbly.
  • Take out and top with chocolate chips. Return to the oven for another 2 minutes for the chocolate chips to melt. Then remove and spread the melted chocolate with a spatula.
  • Freeze or refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chocolate has set.
  • Then break the toffee into pieces and ENJOY!

Notes

To make gluten-free: use gluten-free crackers like gluten-free salt crackers, Simple Mills almond crackers, gluten-free graham crackers, gluten-free pretzels or make your own crackers for gluten-free Christmas crack. 
Store this Healthy Christmas Crack recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. You can also freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw for 10 minutes before eating. Just make sure not to let it sit out at room temperature for too long or the chocolate will start to melt. 
Why did my Christmas crack candy come out chewy?
There are a few reasons this could have happened. Make sure you let the toffee boil for 3-4 minutes. It should darken in color and thicken up (needs to reach 270-290 degrees Fahrenheit) before removing it from the heat and pouring it over the crackers. Also, if you didn’t let the crack candy cool down enough before serving, there’s a chance it didn’t get enough time to firm up. Make sure to let it cool in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 30 minutes to harden.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/15 of recipe (42g), Calories: 210kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 18.5g (6%), Protein: 1.8g (4%), Fat: 14.3g (22%), Saturated Fat: 8.4g (53%), Cholesterol: 29.6mg (10%), Fiber: 1.1g (5%), Sugar: 10.8g (12%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF Lighter Christmas Crack

© Author: Lauren

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Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

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I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

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