Reese’s Christmas Crack

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A new, must-try version of Christmas Crack that has a touch of peanut butter and is loaded with Reese’s toppings.

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Less than 3 weeks later, and I’m already back with another Christmas Crack variation that you need to try. What’s hilarious is that prior to this, I had never tried or made Christmas Crack before and trust me, now I KNOW what I was missing out on. Christmas Crack is amazing and seriously so addicting.

In case you missed it, I dropped my M&M Pretzel Christmas Crack recipe back in November, and it’s a good one! As soon as I made my first batch of Christmas Crack, I immediately started brainstorming different variations to make. The first one that I thought of: Reese’s Christmas Crack.

I loved the toffee and pretzel together and figured that peanut butter would go so well with this flavor combination. To round out the Reese’s theme, I added Reese’s Pieces and chopped Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top of the chocolate layer. And, of course, I topped it all off with some flaky sea salt.

This Reese’s Christmas Crack is dreamy, delicious, and so easy to make. And, yes, it is extremely addicting, so consider this your warning!

Read on for the full recipe for this delicious Reese’s Christmas Crack.

Christmas Crack should be illegal. It’s just TOO addicting. You go in for one piece and end up with five. It’s impossible to stop eating this stuff.

What I love about Christmas Crack is how easy and quick it is to make. In less than 30 minutes, you have the dreamiest dessert that everyone will love. It’s the perfect treat to bring to parties or give as a gift to others.

This treat is also highly customizable. If you’re not a huge fan of pretzels, you can swap them out for saltines, Ritz crackers, or graham crackers. Feel free to use your favorite kind of chocolate (white, milk, semisweet, or dark) and toppings. The options are really limitless!

While Christmas Crack is very easy to make, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. For this recipe, I used a 15″ x 10″ pan. You cannot use any size pan you want — if you use a smaller or larger pan, you will need to adjust your ingredients accordingly.
2. I chose to use Snaps for the pretzel layer because they’re my favorite kind of pretzel and because I figured they would create the cleanest, most even layer. If you use a different pretzel shape, just make sure that you completely cover the bottom of the pan with pretzels and any large gaps with additional pretzel pieces.
3. Remember to stir your toffee mixture constantly while you’re making it. In fact, you should be stirring it more than you are just letting it sit and cook. You don’t want your toffee to burn or stick to the bottom of the pan, so keep a close eye on it and stir.
4. Be careful! The toffee layer is hot, sticky, and can splash. Be careful while you’re making the toffee on the stove and later, when you’re spreading it over the pretzels.

If you haven’t had Christmas Crack before, get ready for your newest addiction. If you have, I hope you love this new variation. I’ve included some additional Tips for Success and answers to FAQs below. Feel free to DM me on Instagram and I’ll try my best to help answer any other questions you may have.

Other recipes you may like:

• M&M Pretzel Christmas Crack
• Christmas Crack Cookies
• Reese’s Christmas Crack Cookies
• The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients you’ll need:

• Pretzels (I used Snaps)
• Unsalted butter (if you use salted butter, omit the salt called for in the recipe)
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Creamy peanut butter (I used Jif)
• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Reese’s Pieces
• Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Flaky sea salt

Kitchen tools you’ll need:

• Small to medium size pot
• 15″ x 10″ baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Spatulas
• Measuring cups

How to make the most addicting Reese’s Christmas Crack

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line a 15”x10” pan with parchment paper (do not use wax paper!!) and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Please note that if you use a smaller or larger size pan, you will need to decrease or increase the ingredients.

Line the parchment paper completely with 2¼ cups (this was exactly 84 for me) snap pretzels.

On the stove, over medium to high heat, place a small to medium size pot. Add 1 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup brown sugar, stirring until it’s completely melted and combined. Let the mixture come to a boil and begin bubbling. Stir constantly and let the mixture boil for 3 minutes.

Remove the mixture from the heat and whisk in 1 tsp vanilla extract and ¼ tsp salt.

Pour the mixture over the pretzel layer as evenly as possible.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and let it bake for 5 minutes or until the toffee layer is clearly bubbling.

Remove from the oven and immediately top with ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter. I microwaved my peanut butter for 8 to 10 seconds so that it was a bit melted and easier to spread.

Then, top the peanut butter layer with 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips. Let the chocolate sit (don’t touch it) for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, take a spatula and gently smooth the chocolate over the toffee, pretzel, and peanut butter layers.

Immediately top with ¼ cup Reese’s Pieces and ¼ cup chopped Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Let the bark cool for 15 to 20 minutes before topping with flaky sea salt. 

Let the bark sit until completely cooled (around 15 to 20 minutes). I recommend chilling in the refrigerator for a few hours before breaking it apart into smaller pieces.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Tips for success

• Preheat your oven before you begin anything. Once you start this recipe, you’ll need to move pretty quickly. You’ll need your oven to be ready to go once the toffee is done and poured over the pretzels.
• Use parchment paper or aluminum foil only. Do not use wax paper as the Christmas Crack will go in the oven.
• The toffee is the trickiest part of this entire recipe as it’s very easy to under- or over-bake it. In order to achieve the correct consistency, you must let the butter and sugar melt completely, come to a boil, and then continue boiling for 3 minutes. Once the mixture starts to boil, set a timer for 3 minutes and stir constantly!
• Use a candy thermometer to achieve the best results with your toffee. Once the toffee mixture reaches between 270 and 290 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s done and can be removed from heat.
• Melt your peanut butter. I used Jif which has a thicker consistency. Microwaving it for 8 to 10 seconds (or until it’s thin/runny) helped make it easier to spread. If you’re using natural peanut butter, you may not need to complete this step.
• Let the Christmas Crack chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. The longer you let it set, the easier it will be to break into smaller pieces.

FAQs

Do I have to use unsalted butter?

No! Salted butter will work too! If using salted butter, omit the extra salt that this recipe calls for.

Do I have to use Jif/Skippy peanut butter?

No, any peanut butter should work. If you’re using Jif/Skippy or another brand with a similar consistency, I highly recommend heating it up in the microwave so that it’s a bit runny and easier to spread. Natural peanut butter is probably runny enough on its own / won’t require this step.

Can I replace the pretzels with something else?

Absolutely! Saltines, Ritz crackers, Club crackers, and graham crackers also work — use whatever you prefer!

Should my toffee be sticky?

No, your toffee should not be sticky. This is a sign that your toffee is under-baked and did not boil for long enough. Once the butter and brown sugar fully melt, let it come to a boil. Once the mixture starts to boil, set a timer for 3 minutes. Stir the mixture constantly and keep a close eye on it. Once your timer goes off, remove it from heat!

Can I use a different size pan?

With the measurements provided, you will need to use a 15″ x 10″ baking sheet. If you use a smaller or larger pan, you will need to adjust the ingredients accordingly.

How to store

Store the Reese’s Christmas Crack in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze in a freezer-safe storage bag or container for up to 3 months. If freezing, let the Christmas Crack soften before consuming. This Christmas Crack can also be stored at room temperature, but I personally prefer to store it in the refrigerator as it gives it more of a crunch.

As if Christmas Crack wasn’t addicting enough, this version is just next level. The addition of the peanut butter and Reese’s toppings makes it so dreamy. Bake a batch for the holidays and let me know what you think!

If you try this recipe, share and tag me on socials using @itsbrunchoklock and #itsbrunchoklock. Or, leave a review below!