Description
Festive holiday magic unfolds with Christmas Crack, a slow-cooker delicacy that blends sweet chocolate and crunchy graham crackers. Rich caramel layers melt together, creating an irresistible treat you can’t stop munching.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 package chocolate almond bark
Sugars and Sweeteners:
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
Nuts and Add-ins:
- 2 cups salted pecans
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy candy removal.
- In a crockpot, combine white sugar, corn syrup, and water, stirring until sugar dissolves completely.
- Insert a candy thermometer and heat the mixture without stirring, allowing it to reach 300°F (hard crack stage), which typically takes 20-25 minutes.
- Once the syrup reaches the precise temperature, immediately remove from heat to prevent burning.
- Quickly stir in butter, vanilla extract, and salt, whisking vigorously to incorporate evenly throughout the mixture.
- Gently fold in salted pecans, ensuring they are thoroughly coated with the caramelized sugar syrup.
- Pour the molten candy mixture onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading it into an even, thin layer using a spatula.
- Allow the candy to cool and harden at room temperature for approximately 30-45 minutes until completely set.
- Melt chocolate almond bark in the microwave or using a double boiler until smooth and glossy.
- Drizzle or spread melted chocolate over the cooled pecan brittle, creating an even coating.
- Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to help chocolate set quickly.
- Break into irregular pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Ensure parchment paper is completely flat to prevent uneven candy spreading, which could create inconsistent thickness.
- Use a heavy-bottomed crockpot for even heat distribution and prevent sugar from burning at the bottom.
- Avoid stirring syrup during heating, as this can cause sugar crystallization and result in grainy texture.
- Monitor temperature precisely with a reliable candy thermometer to achieve perfect hard crack stage without burning.
- Preheating nuts slightly can enhance their toasty flavor and prevent temperature drop when added to hot syrup.
- Work quickly when pouring and spreading candy to maintain smooth, glossy appearance before hardening begins.
- For gluten-free version, confirm all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially corn syrup and chocolate.
- Consider substituting pecans with almonds or cashews for different flavor profiles and potential nut allergies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 355
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 72 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg