Is it a cookie? Is it a candy? The name most commonly used is “crack”, perhaps because it is made with “crack”ers or the way it “crack”s into pieces or perhaps simply for it’s addictive qualities. This salty and sweet treat cooks up in about 20 minutes using 5 common household ingredients. Recipes for crack abound all over the www with three major types, graham crack, matzoh crack and saltine crack.
This candy is open to a lot of variation. Its a great last minute “what do I have” kind of recipe. You can mix it up with different crackers, different types of chocolate and different nuts (mixed in or on top)
I recently made two different varieties, matzoh crack and graham crack. I paired the matzoh crack with bittersweet chocolate and roasted salted pepitas (aka pumpkin seeds) sprinkled on top. I paired the graham crack with semisweet chocolate and almonds mixed right into the toffee. Two variations on a single sweet, crunchy, buttery theme.
CRACK
- Enough graham crackers, matzoh or saltines to line a half-sheet pan
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 0 to 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (see Note)
- 1 cup chocolate, chopped or chips
- 1/2 cup toasted nuts, sliced or chopped
NOTE: As with most desserts, the balance of salt to sweet is key in this recipe. If you are using a sweet cracker and unsalted nuts, by all means use the full 3/4 teaspoon of kosher salt in the toffee…or…save some to sprinkle on top. If you are using a salted cracker (like saltines) or a salted nut, you will want to back off on the salt in the toffee and/or omit it completely. Some of this is a judgment call “to taste” according to what you like. However, I will say that I think most people don’t use enough salt in their dessert, so you may want to experiment with adding a little more than you think is appropriate.
PHOTO NOTE: I documented the step-by-step process of making the graham crack, but making matzoh or saltine crack is just the same.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lay the crackers or matzoh out in one layer on a parchment-lined rimmed cookie sheet.
In a small saucepan, add the butter, brown sugar and salt (omit if using saltines)
Cook stirring over low heat until everything is melted. Bring it to a boil then let it boil for 2 minutes without stirring.
If you like, stir in the nuts (I used almonds on the Graham Crack, but you can use whatever). Alternatively, you can leave out the nuts and sprinkle them over the chocolate at the end (which is what I did with the Matzoh Crack).
Pour this molten buttery sugary goodness over the crackers, covering all the tops.
Spread it evenly over the crackers.
Pop it into the oven for 8-10 minutes. When it comes out, it will be all bubbly and you will realize why you lined the pan.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave if you want to drizzle the chocolate (like I did with the Graham Crack). Alternatively, you can just sprinkle the chocolate on the hot toffee, wait a minute to let the heat from the candy melt the chocolate, then spread (like I did with the Matzoh Crack).
If you have reserved the nuts (like I did with the Matzoh Crack), sprinkle them over the chocolate now. If they are already in then you are done.
As soon as it is cool enough to handle, transfer the parchment paper to a rack to cool completely.
When it is completely cool, break into pieces. Store at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
MATZOH VS. GRAHAM CRACKERS: Winner…Matzoh
Of the two types made here, I preferred the matzoh crack because it was lighter and crispier. The molten toffee soaked into the matzoh as opposed to the graham crack where the toffee was more of a top layer. Also, I liked the nuts on top. They were prettier and had more crunch. Having said all that, both types were devoured in short order and I heard no complaints.
STORAGE: Store uneaten crack in the fridge…it won’t last long.