This Graham Cracker Toffee recipe is about to become your new go-to dessert for any occasion. I remember making this toffee with my grandma every Christmas, and the smell of butter and sugar still takes me back. The way the butter and sugar would bubble on the stove… pure magic! My version keeps it simple with just five ingredients, focusing on that perfect balance of sweet and salty. Trust me, you don’t need a million things to make something incredible. The crunchy graham cracker base, the rich toffee layer, and the smooth chocolate topping create a symphony of textures and flavors. It’s the perfect homemade candy bar! Whether you call it Christmas crack or toffee bars, this easy treat is perfect for holiday get-togethers or a simple weeknight treat. Ready to make some magic?
Why You’ll Love This Graham Cracker Toffee
- Ready in under 30 minutes – because who has time for complicated desserts?
- Only 5 simple ingredients – that’s it! You probably have most of them already.
- Perfect balance of sweet and salty – every bite is an explosion of flavor.
- Great for gifting or parties – trust me, these toffee squares disappear fast!
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings – get creative with nuts, sprinkles, or even a drizzle of peanut butter.
- No special equipment needed – just a pan and a saucepan. Easy peasy.
- A crowd-pleasing dessert every time – guaranteed smiles with this one. It’s hard to resist this homemade graham cracker dessert!
Ingredients for Graham Cracker Toffee
- 1 package Honey Graham Crackers (I usually grab the Nabisco brand – they seem to hold up the best!)
- 14 ounces Hershey’s chocolate bars (that’s two of the large 7oz bars, and I always go for milk chocolate, but hey, you do you!)
- 1 cup butter (that’s 2 sticks, unsalted is the way to go for this graham cracker dessert recipe)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed – really pack it in there!)
- 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted or untoasted – I like to toast mine for a few minutes in a dry pan for extra flavor.)
Substitutions: Feel free to swap out the milk chocolate for white chocolate or dark chocolate if that’s your jam. Other nuts like walnuts or almonds work great too! Ingredient quality: Seriously, use good quality chocolate – it makes a difference. The butter gives this delicious treat its richness, and that brown sugar? It’s what gives our homemade toffee recipe that perfect, chewy texture!
How to Make Graham Cracker Toffee
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper. This makes removing the toffee SO much easier, trust me! Preheating is crucial for even baking, so don’t skip it!
- Step 2: Arrange graham crackers in a single layer on the prepared pan. Make sure the entire bottom of the pan is covered – you don’t want any gaps! Break the graham crackers if you need to.
- Step 3: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar and pecans, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a full boil. The mixture should be bubbling like crazy and smell absolutely divine!
- Step 4: Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. I know it feels like forever but this step is essential for achieving that perfect toffee consistency – we want that snap! If you don’t boil long enough, it won’t set up right.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and quickly pour the toffee mixture over the graham crackers, spreading it into an even layer. Be careful, it’s HOT! You should hear the hot toffee sizzle as it hits the crackers – music to my ears!
- Step 6: Bake for 7 minutes. Keep a close eye on it – you want the toffee to be bubbly and golden brown, but not burnt. That’s the sweet spot for this homemade graham cracker dessert.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and immediately place the Hershey’s chocolate pieces over the hot toffee. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil to trap the heat and allow the chocolate to melt (about 5-10 minutes). The heat from the toffee will melt the chocolate into a perfect, gooey layer.
- Step 8: Remove the lid or foil and spread the melted chocolate evenly over the toffee. It should be smooth and glossy – resist the urge to lick the spoon (okay, maybe just a little!).
- Step 9: Cool completely before serving. I like to pop mine in the fridge to help it set up faster (not required), but let it stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cutting, so the chocolate softens up a bit. Cooling allows the toffee to harden and the chocolate to set, making it easier to cut into perfect squares or bars. Now, enjoy your delicious graham cracker toffee!
Pro Tips for the Best Graham Cracker Toffee
Okay, listen up, because these are the little things that take your graham cracker toffee from “meh” to “OMG!” This easy toffee recipe is pretty foolproof, but a few tweaks can make all the difference. Trust me on this one!
What’s the secret to perfect Graham Cracker Toffee?
Alright, if you REALLY want to get serious about your toffee bars, use a candy thermometer! I know, I know, it sounds fussy, but it guarantees that perfect snap. Aim for 290-300°F (143-149°C) when you’re boiling the butter and sugar. It’s a game-changer for this easy homemade candy recipe!
Can I make Graham Cracker Toffee ahead of time?
YES! This Christmas crack (or anytime crack, let’s be honest!) stores beautifully. Make it a day or two in advance – it’s one of my favorite make ahead dessert recipes. Just keep it in an airtight container in the fridge, and you’re good to go.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Graham Cracker Toffee?
Two biggies: Don’t overbake the toffee, or it will become rock-hard and not in a good way. Also, make sure the chocolate is evenly distributed over the toffee so it melts evenly and you won’t have cracking. Nobody wants cracked chocolate on their decadent graham cracker dessert!
Best Ways to Serve Graham Cracker Toffee
Okay, so you’ve made this glorious graham cracker toffee – now what? First off, cut it into squares or bars – whatever shape tickles your fancy! You can serve it straight from the fridge for a satisfying snap, or let it come to room temperature for a softer bite. It’s absolutely divine on its own, but let me tell you, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side takes it to a whole new level. Or, if you’re a coffee lover like me, a warm cup of joe is the perfect complement. Want to get fancy? Sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt on top – that salty-sweet combo is irresistible. This easy graham cracker dessert is perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, potlucks, or just a simple treat after dinner. Trust me, it’s always a hit!
Nutrition Facts for Graham Cracker Toffee
Alright, let’s talk numbers! Here’s a peek at the nutrition info for one serving (estimated) of this amazing graham cracker toffee. Keep in mind, this is a treat, not a health food, but hey, everything in moderation, right? Here’s what you’re looking at: Calories: 488, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Unsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 286mg, Carbohydrates: 48g, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 27g, Protein: 5g.
Remember, this nutritional information is just an estimate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients you use and the size of your servings. Enjoy responsibly!
How to Store and Reheat Graham Cracker Toffee
Alright, so you’ve managed NOT to devour all of your graham cracker toffee in one sitting (I commend your self-control!). Now, let’s talk storage. The best way to keep this delicious treat fresh is to pop it into an airtight container. It’ll happily sit at room temperature for up to 3 days, but if you want to stretch that out a bit, stash it in the fridge for up to a week. Want to make it last even longer? Freezing is your friend! Just load it into an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months, but be sure to separate the layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together like crazy. Reheating isn’t really recommended for this easy toffee recipe – it can make the chocolate a little melty and weird. Just let it hang out at room temperature for a bit before serving, and you’re good to go!
Frequently Asked Questions About Graham Cracker Toffee
Why is my Graham Cracker Toffee too hard?
Okay, so your graham cracker toffee turned into a jawbreaker? Bummer! There are a couple of culprits here. First, did you accidentally boil the toffee mixture for too long? A few extra minutes can really harden things up. Also, double-check your oven temperature. If it was running too hot, that can also lead to an overly-hard toffee. Next time, watch that stovetop like a hawk and make sure your oven’s accurate!
Can I use different types of chocolate for Graham Cracker Toffee?
Absolutely! This easy toffee recipe is super versatile. If you’re not a milk chocolate fan, go wild with dark chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor. Or, how about white chocolate chips for a super sweet twist? Just keep an eye on things – the baking time shouldn’t change, but different chocolates might melt at slightly different rates. I say experiment and find your fave!
How do I prevent the chocolate from cracking when cutting Graham Cracker Toffee?
Ah, the dreaded chocolate crack! Here’s the trick: chilling the graham cracker dessert before cutting definitely helps. But the REAL secret is to use a warm knife. Run it under hot water, dry it off, and then slice. Repeat as needed. The warm knife glides right through the chocolate, giving you those perfect, picture-worthy squares of delicious Christmas crack. You can also try scoring the chocolate before it fully sets!
Variations of Graham Cracker Toffee You Can Try
The beauty of this easy toffee recipe is how easy it is to adapt! Feeling adventurous? Here are a few fun twists on the classic graham cracker toffee to spark your creativity:
- Vegan Graham Cracker Toffee: Swap out the butter for your favorite vegan butter alternative and use dairy-free chocolate. It’s just as rich and delicious!
- Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Toffee: Simply use gluten-free graham crackers. Nobody will even know the difference with this gluten-free dessert recipe!
- Saltine Cracker Toffee: Want a saltier kick? Ditch the graham crackers and use saltine crackers instead for a salty, crunchy Christmas crack variation.
- Peppermint Graham Cracker Toffee: Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy on top of the melted chocolate for a festive and refreshing twist. Perfect for the holidays!
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Unbelievably Delicious Graham Cracker Toffee in 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy Graham Cracker Toffee bars made with 5 ingredients. Perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 package Honey Graham Crackers
- 14 ounces Hershey’s chocolate bars (I use two large 7oz bars)
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9×13” pan with cooking spray, then lay parchment paper on top, so it sticks firmly in the pan.
- Place graham cracker sheets to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Toffee layer: Add butter to a large saucepan over medium heat and allow it to melt. Add the brown sugar and pecans, and stir constantly, bringing the mixture to a full boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Bake: Remove from heat then pour mixture over graham crackers and spread into an even layer. Bake for 7 minutes.
- Add chocolate: While the bars are baking, unwrap the Hershey’s chocolate bars and break into pieces. Remove bars from oven and carefully place chocolate pieces across the top of the toffee layer. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil to allow the chocolate to melt (5-10 minutes).
- Smooth melted chocolate evenly over the bars.
- Cool completely before serving. I like to store mine in the fridge to set up (not required) but I leave them out at room temperature for 15 minutes before cutting them, to allow the chocolate to soften.
Notes
- Chocolate: Use white chocolate instead of milk or dark, or drizzle some melted white chocolate on top of the milk chocolate.
- Crackers: Saltine crackers are also a popular choice for Christmas crack. You could also use club crackers or ritz crackers. You could even try a base of pretzels.
- Candy: Sprinkle on some crushed peppermint candy, m&m’s, or sprinkles.
- Make Ahead Instructions: Graham cracker toffee will store well in the fridge for at least a week, in an airtight container.
- Freezing Instructions: Freeze in an air-tight container for up to 3 months, with a piece of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 488 kcal
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 286mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 33mg
Keywords: Graham Cracker Toffee, Christmas Crack, Toffee Bars, Easy Toffee Recipe
