Caramel Chocolate Crackers

Captain's Log

Father's Day Edition: Part Two

Like the Lime Meltaway Cookies, these, too, are lifted from Smitten Kitchen. These are amazingly amazing. I cannot recommend them enough. And they were very easy to make! Unlike other toffee recipes I've tried, these don't require a candy thermometer. This is a huge win in terms of difficulty and time. Even Miss Deen's recipe involves temperatures and precise timing. When you get down to it, I think the big question when it comes to toffee and thermometers is the texture of the final, crystallized product. Is a little crumbly and very crunchy acceptable? Do you prefer a glassy "snap", like in a Skor bar? If the former sounds okay, this is the recipe for you.

I followed the SK recipe pretty closely, so, again, very little creativity here on my part!

• one sleeve Saltine crackers, I used the ones with unsalted tops. Broken matzo is also a good choice.
• 2 sticks (one cup, 8oz) unsalted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups choc chips.. semisweet or bittersweet
• toasted nuts of your choice. I used maybe 1/4 c sliced almonds

I started with toasting the nuts and setting them aside. Then preheated the oven to 350° and I lined a large cookie sheet with foil, then parchment paper. I arranged the crackers in the pan, breaking them as needed to fill the space.

Then I melted the butter and sugar in a saucepan. 

I got them to a boil, then let it bubble for three minutes. I also added a pinch of salt here.

When the time was up, I added 1tsp of vanilla, stirred, and then poured the caramel over the crackers slowly and gently, smearing around as needed with a spoon. 

spooky cracker graveyard

Don't let go, Jack!

Then, as per the directions, I put the pan in the oven for about 15 mins. This part was pretty cool... the caramel, which has flowed over and under the crackers at this point, bubbles away. The crackers rise and fall with the caramel in a big, undulating sheet. Super cool. 

After 14-15 mins, I took them out and admired the toasty sweetness.

and I sprinkled chocolate chips over the top while it was still smoking hot.

Give the chocolate a few minutes, then spread around with a spatula. Offset, if you have one.

Sprinkle with the toasted nuts, then leave it to harden for a while.

I did half-and-half because variety is my jam

When it's all hardened and cooled, you can break it into pieces. 

Top view, obvs

try to forget the watery grave underneath

And then they were ready to ship! Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Let me tell you: These are super crunchy, super chocolate-y, the nuts are perfect, and honestly, not counting the time required for cooling/hardening, I think this took 30 mins tops. TRY IT. It's a sure crowd pleaser.