Newsflash: this is a food blog. Which basically translates to me raving about the food I’ve made all. the. time. I know that it’s kind of my job to tell you guys that OHEMGEETHISISSOGOOD and YOUHAVETOMAKETHISRIGHTNOW.
But y’all? You really really really need to make this. Like, yesterday.
This weekend I was staring blankly into the pantry at a box of Ritz crackers. I don’t remember why they were there – but there they stood, in all of their buttery crunchy glory. I remembered a recipe that Nate’s Mimi gave me a while back for candy made out of saltines + butter + sugar, and I decided to make my own little spin on it.
And I can tell you guys that I will never make this again UNLESS I can immediately pass it off to someone else. Once I took a bite I knew that my healthy eating for the weekend was shot to pieces – hence the “crack” in the title.
Am I being clear here? This stuff is so utterly crazy addictive that I have actually sat here and struggled to find words to describe it. Let me paint this picture for you: Saturday night I told Nate that I wasn’t allowed to eat any more of it since I’d consumed almost half of it within a 1-hour period.
A few hours later I was digging through the freezer to eat some more, when he caught me. Y’all, my husband had to physically remove me from the kitchen, and the whole time I was kind of kicking and screaming and begging for more. Embarrassing? Only til y’all try it and see what I’m talking about.
So just promise me this: that you will make it and bring some over to my house ASAP. I’m kind of going through withdrawals…
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 sleeves Ritz crackers (around 45 crackers)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil and spray lightly with nonstick spray.
- Line with the Ritz crackers; they will overlap, so feel free to break them into pieces to make a mostly even layer. The good news is that it doesn't have to be perfect!
- Melt together the butter, peanut butter and brown sugar over medium heat until the sugar has just dissolved; pour immediately over the Ritz crackers and spread to evenly distribute.
- Place in the oven at 425 for about 5 minutes until it just starts to bubble.
- Remove from the heat immediately and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Let the chips sit for about 1 minute, then spread evenly with an offset spatula or knife.
- Place in the freezer for about 20 minutes, then break apart.
- Or just eat it straight out of the pan!
Hello, did you use butter or margarine with this recipe? I tried it twice with butter, and both times it would separate before the sugar dissolved. So I tried it with margarine, and it came out perfect. However, I would prefer to use real butter instead of margerine. Thank you. -Patrick
Hey Patrick! I did use it with butter. These days I usually only use European-style butter that has a higher fat content, but when I made this recipe I was using the generic store-brand butter from Kroger (unsalted). I’m not sure what else to try – perhaps heating the butter and sugar until just melted, then whisking in the peanut butter?
I hope that helps!
Making these tonight!
I have made this with the saltines and it is to die for. Ritz are do so good that I can’t wait to make it using them. Thank you for letting us know how good using the ritz crackers are. This will be on my to-do list for this coming week. Have a very Blessed Easter
Could you use white chocolate chip instead?
Hey Darlene! I can’t say for certain since I haven’t tried it, but my initial thought is that you COULD use white chocolate as long as it’s a really good quality one like Ghirardelli. The fat content and melting temperatures are a different with white chocolate, so it may be better to melt the white chocolate over a double boiler and drizzle it on top after the cracker/toffee part has baked in the oven.
they look so tasty I’ll have to try them
this recipe sounds delicious but how do I print it?
Hi Carol! I am in the process of moving several years worth of recipes into a system that allows you to print them. I haven’t gotten this far yet, but I will email you the recipe to the email address you provided and you should be able to print it from there!
This is certainly an addictive candy! My family asks for it every Christmas. Easy to make, break, take, and eat!
Heather,
My daughter and I just made this and it burned pretty bad. I have never had a problem with my oven. Is 425 really the correct temperature?
Hey Colleen! I’m so sorry – I did mine at 425 in my oven, but if it didn’t work in yours I’d say lower the temp to 400 or maybe take them out a bit sooner. I hope that helps!
Hi Heather,
Thanks for the receipt you send me,i really like them all.
Tomorrow i will try to do the…Chocolate-Covered Ritz Crack.
Its looks very good. Thanks again.
Best regards.
Very good
just printed and will make this!! looks great
Oh soooooo good! It’s impossible to eat one. Absolutely the best!!!!!
Thanks Rachel! I have to agree….it’s so dangerous to have around our house!
I loved sharing with people that love to entertain.
I tried this at our church “Friend & Family” Day Dinner, It was awesome!!!
That’s great Laura! I’m so glad everyone liked it 🙂
Love this recipe!50 years ago when I taught 20 girls 12-16 every 4 school days went for an afternoon to another school where I taught them old fashioned Home Ec. which included nutrition,simple recipes for basic meal as well as simple Shift dress with no zipper needed!All of us had a great time.
There are similar recipes out there with saltines and fake english toffee… but this sounds even better – will try
I’ve seen those! I gotta say, the buttery Ritz is where it’s at 🙂
My salty-sweet lovin’ taste buds want to try this!
Don’t do it Janetha! 😉
Made these last night.. a little worried I might eat the whole (double) batch in a day! eeck
Be afraid, be very very afraid! (speaking from experience ;))
Brilliant post!!! I feel Ritz crackers are underrated in the baking world where Graham crackers and Oreos take more precedence. I so want to reach into my PC and grab a few of that right now. Chocolate crack is good. Thank youuuu!
I can totally see how good the buttery salty crackers would be with peanut butter and chocolate!
Ritz crackers by themselves are addictive-you made it even worse!!
You’re telling me 🙂
I’m going to make these this afternoon.
I’ll call it a Valentine’s treat. Because i want them. 😉
YUM!
Thanks=
DOOOOOO IT!
ohh YUM!!! These look so good!
Oh girl, you had me at the peanut butter. I (along with the rest of the world) make a similar version on saltines without the pb but that is all about to change! LOVE!!!
The peanut butter takes it over the top! Let me know what you think 🙂
As long as you ate it with a green juice you’re fine!
Ooooooon the floor.
Oh my gosh. They look delicious AND easy to make!
Man oh man! I want some of that!
I never buy Ritz, but I do love me some Ritz! They remind me of being a kid.
Ooooooh yes. This will be happening.
Someone brought something like this to a pot luck once befoer and it was SO addicting. I need to pin this as an idea to save for later to bring to something. So easy to make and so tasty and such a crowd pleeaser.
PS – So happy I’m not having to read on my phone this morning so I can actually say HI!
YAY! I’m so glad you said hi – I’m about to do a Cathe X-train workout and she always makes me think of you 🙂