Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack
Get into the holiday spirit with this Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack, a fun twist on the classic treat that’s got everything from candy canes to mini M&Ms on a bed of saltine crackers, all coated in a crackly layer of caramel and chocolate, topped off with white chocolate ‘spaghetti’ swirls—because we all know elves have four main food groups! This sweet concoction will have you feeling like you’re in Santa’s workshop with every bite.
You are in the right place if you love celebrating the holidays with delicious treats. This Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack is perfect for your holiday baking. Combining salty saltine crackers with sweet, fun toppings creates an exciting treat for spreading holiday cheer. This is a recipe the whole family will love as you cuddle and watch Christmas movies.
Share this easy-to-make Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack with friends and family this holiday season. One bite will make them feel like they have been transported straight to the North Pole. This sweet concoction, decorated with fun candies and yummy white chocolate, will satisfy any elf’s sweet tooth. Get ready to take a trip through the candy cane forest this holiday season because this yummy treat will become a Christmas hit. Don’t be a cotton-headed ninny muggins and skip this treat; make this recipe today!
Why You’ll Love Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack
- Easy to Make: This Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack is easy. It uses simple ingredients, like chocolate chips and saltine crackers, that you probably already have in your pantry. This recipe is also relatively easy to follow and takes little time to assemble. It is perfect for whipping up with the family any night of the week.
- Sweet and Salty: Combining sweet and salty flavors always pleases the palate. The saltine crackers provide a delicious contrast to the sweet caramel and chocolate layers. This creates the perfect sweet and salty balance, making it a great treat to share with friends and family during the holiday season.
- Perfect for Movie Night: If you love the iconic Christmas movie Elf with Will Ferrell, this recipe is for you. Whip up a batch of Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack and enjoy it while watching this holiday classic. It’s perfect for movie night and will quickly become a new family tradition.
- Great for Sharing: This recipe makes a large batch of this decadent treat. It is perfect for sharing with friends and family at holiday gatherings, as part of a cookie exchange, or even as homemade gifts.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Saltine crackers
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Dark brown sugar
- Maple extract
- Chocolate chips
- White chocolate
- Mini candy canes
- Candy corn
- Mini M&Ms
How to Make Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack
- Step One: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Step Two: Set aside a piping bag with a small round tip.
- Step Three: Set aside the candy corn, candy canes, and M&M candies.
- Step Four: Butter a rimmed cookie sheet or sheet pan generously or line it with parchment or a silicone mat.
- Step Five: Line up the saltine crackers in rows, placing them next to each other as closely as possible. Fill the tray row by row carefully, trying not to force too many in each row or break any crackers.
- Step Six: Add the butter and brown sugar to a large saucepan and stir to combine over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and stir constantly for about 3-4 minutes, heating to just below hard crack stage, about 300 degrees (hard crack stage is between 300-315 degrees). Use a candy thermometer to watch the temperature of the mixture as it boils. Once it reaches about 280 degrees, it takes very little time to get to the hard crack stage, so be very watchful and remove it from the heat just before the thermometer reaches 300. The heat will keep rising just a bit even after you remove it from the heat. If it is not heated to the hard crack stage, when it cools it will be chewy, not crunchy. (Be very careful not to burn yourself. The mixture is extremely hot and might bubble over if your pan is too small or if you stop stirring. If you feel that it might boil over, reduce the heat and keep stirring. Never let small children stir hot caramel or stand too close where they might get burned.)
- Step Seven: After you remove the caramel from the heat, carefully add the maple extract (it may bubble up) and stir to combine.
- Step Eight: Pour the caramel carefully over the top of the crackers, spreading quickly and evenly with a spatula. You may not be able to spread it all the way to the edges, but do the best you can and work quickly. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
- Step Nine: Remove from the oven, immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips all over the top, and wait for 5 minutes. Once the time has passed, use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly.
- Step Ten: Evenly scatter the candy corn, candy cane pieces, and M&M candies over the chocolate layer.
- Step Eleven: Melt the white chocolate in the microwave: Place the white chocolate in a small heatproof bowl and heat for 20 seconds and stir, then heat for 10-second increments, stirring in between, until the white chocolate is completely melted. Let the melted chocolate cool for a minute, then place the prepared piping bag upright in a drinking glass and fill it with the melted white chocolate. Immediately begin piping the white chocolate in an overlapping circular pattern all over the surface of the chocolate and candy layer, creating lines that mimic spaghetti noodles.
- Step Twelve: Place the cookie sheet aside for about 30 minutes to let the white chocolate set, or place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes to completely cool.
- Step Thirteen: Remove from the refrigerator and cut into 2-3 inch squares.
Equipment Needed
This post contains affiliate links.
- Rimmed cookie sheet or sheet pan
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Large saucepan
- Candy thermometer
- Spatula
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Piping bag with a small round tip
What to Serve with Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack
Serve this delicious holiday dessert alongside your favorite Christmas dishes.
- Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
- Easy Christmas Pretzel Salad
- Christmas Fluff
- Christmas Punch
- White Chocolate Elf Fluff
Variations and Substitutions
- Cracker Variations: While this recipe calls for saltine crackers, you can always switch it up. Try using graham crackers, Ritz crackers, or even pretzels. No matter what you choose, this Christmas crack will surely be delicious.
- Chocolate Options: You can use any variety of chocolate that you prefer. You can even use white chocolate chips. It will be delicious whether you choose dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or anything in between.
- Toppings and Mix-ins: This recipe is extremely versatile. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your toppings and mixins. You can use peanut butter chips, marshmallow bits, green sprinkles, and more. Choose your favorite candy and have fun with it. The sky is the limit.
- Drizzle Alternatives: If you want your spaghetti drizzle to pop, consider using colored candy melts instead of white chocolate. This will add a fun visual appeal to your already gorgeous Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack.
Storage Instructions
Whether you make this Christmas Crack ahead or have leftovers, it is easy to store. Place the pieces in an airtight container, separated by waxed or parchment paper layers. Then, it can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Can I Freeze?
Yes. If you want to extend the life of this delicious treat, place the pieces in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Make sure to separate the layers with parchment or waxed paper. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Create an Even Base: Carefully arrange your saltine crackers on the base of the pan. You want to ensure they are evenly spread for the caramel layer.
- Focus on the Caramel: Keep a close eye on the caramel while it boils. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature, and remove it from heat just before reaching the hard crack stage.
- Work Quickly: When spreading the caramel over the crackers, you want to work quickly. The caramel will start to set relatively fast, so you want to get an even coating over the crackers before that happens.
- Spread Evenly: Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot caramel, allowing them to melt for a few minutes before spreading with a spatula. This ensures a smooth chocolate layer.
- Setting Time: Allow sufficient time for the white chocolate drizzle to set before cutting into squares. If you are in a hurry, pop the crack into the fridge to set faster.
How to Make Your Own Piping Bag
If you don’t have a piping bag, make your own. It only requires a few everyday kitchen items to make your piping bag. Trim a corner of a resealable freezer bag and insert an icing tip into the cut corner.
Load the bag with icing and apply pressure to push the icing through the tip—voila, you’ve got a DIY piping bag! In the absence of an icing tip, reduce the size of the cut opening on the bag, load it with icing, and press the icing out through the smaller opening onto your Christmas crack.
Can I Make Without a Candy Thermometer?
While having a candy thermometer makes the process of making Christmas crack a lot easier, you don’t need one. if you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can check if your mixture has reached the hard crack stage.
Place a small amount of the hot syrup into cold water, and it will create rigid, fragile threads that snap when bent. Just make sure you allow the syrup to cool in the water a bit before you touch it. You don’t want to burnt.
What Makes It Buddy’s Favorite Christmas Crack?
This would be Buddy’s favorite Christmas crack because it contains an elve’s four main food groups. Every elf knows Candy, Candy Canes, Candy Corn, and Syrup are always a part of the menu, especially during the holidays. This Christmas crack is a great way to spread Christmas cheer because one bite will have everyone singing loud for all to hear.
Christmas Candy Recipes
FAQ
The good news about this Christmas spirit-inducing recipe is that it doesn’t take long to make. It only takes 15 minutes to prep, 30 minutes to cook, and 15 minutes of cooling or refrigeration time.
This recipe makes about 40 crackers, perfect for serving large crowds.
Christmas Recipes
Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.
Buddy the Elf-Inspired Christmas Crack
Ingredients
- 42 saltine crackers (about 1 1/2 sleeves of saltine crackers)
- 1 cup unsalted butter or 8 ounces
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp maple extract
- 1 package chocolate chips 12oz package
- 2 oz white chocolate
- About 15 mini candy canes
- About ½ cup candy corn
- About ½ cup mini M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- Set aside a piping bag with a small round tip.
- Set aside the candy corn, candy canes, and M&M candies.
- Butter a rimmed cookie sheet or sheet pan generously or line it with parchment or a silicone mat.
- Line up the saltine crackers in rows, placing them next to each other as closely as possible. Fill the tray row by row carefully, trying not to force too many in each row or break any crackers.
- Add the butter and brown sugar to a large saucepan and stir to combine over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and stir constantly for about 3-4 minutes, heating to just below hard crack stage, about 300 degrees (hard crack stage is between 300-315℉). Use a candy thermometer to watch the temperature of the mixture as it boils. Once it reaches about 280 degrees, it takes very little time to get to the hard crack stage, so be very watchful and remove it from the heat just before the thermometer reaches 300. The heat will keep rising just a bit even after you remove it from the heat. If it is not heated to the hard crack stage, when it cools it will be chewy, not crunchy. (Be very careful not to burn yourself. The mixture is extremely hot and might bubble over if your pan is too small or if you stop stirring. If you feel that it might boil over, reduce the heat and keep stirring. Never let small children stir hot caramel or stand too close where they might get burned.)
- After you remove the caramel from the heat, carefully add the maple extract (it may bubble up) and stir to combine.
- Pour the caramel carefully over the top of the crackers, spreading quickly and evenly with a spatula. You may not be able to spread it all the way to the edges, but do the best you can and work quickly. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake at 400℉ for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips all over the top, and wait for 5 minutes. Once the time has passed, use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly.
- Evenly scatter the candy corn, candy cane pieces, and M&M candies over the chocolate layer.
- Melt the white chocolate in the microwave: Place the white chocolate in a small heatproof bowl and heat for 20 seconds and stir, then heat for 10 second increments, stirring in between, until the white chocolate is completely melted. Let the melted chocolate cool for a minute, then place the prepared piping bag upright in a drinking glass and fill it with the melted white chocolate. Immediately begin piping the white chocolate in an overlapping circular pattern all over the surface of the chocolate and candy layer, creating lines that mimic spaghetti noodles.
- Place the cookie sheet aside for about 30 minutes to let the white chocolate set, or place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes to completely cool.
- Remove from the refrigerator and cut into 2-3 inch squares.
Equipment
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.
Want Even More Recipes?
Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.
free ebook!
The Best of Simply Stacie
When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!
