Easy Caramel Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies for Holiday Fun Recipe
Introduction
These Easy Caramel Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are a festive and fun treat to make during the holidays. With layers of sweet caramel, crunchy crackers, and rich chocolate topped with a touch of sea salt, they offer a perfect blend of flavors and textures that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- Ritz Crackers (enough for sandwiches)
- Caramel Sauce (enough to drizzle)
- Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark, about 1 cup)
- Sea Salt (a pinch for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Step 3: Lay out half of the Ritz crackers on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 4: Drizzle a generous amount of caramel sauce over each cracker, covering them well but leaving a little space at the edges.
- Step 5: Place another Ritz cracker on top of each caramel-covered cracker, creating a sandwich.
- Step 6: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 5 minutes, just until the caramel starts to soften.
- Step 7: Melt your chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second increments and stirring in between until smooth.
- Step 8: Once the cookies are slightly cooled, drizzle melted chocolate over the tops of the sandwiches.
- Step 9: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the chocolate drizzle.
- Step 10: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a serving platter or an airtight container.
Tips & Variations
- Use flavored caramel sauce, like salted caramel, to add an extra layer of taste.
- Try different types of chocolate—white chocolate or flavored chips—for variety.
- For a crunchier texture, chill the cookies briefly after baking before adding chocolate.
- Add festive sprinkles on the chocolate while it’s still wet for extra holiday cheer.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer them chilled, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. Reheat briefly in the microwave if you want the caramel to soften again.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, these cookies can be assembled and stored in an airtight container for a day or two. For best results, add the chocolate drizzle and sea salt just before serving to keep the topping fresh.
What kind of caramel sauce works best?
A thick, pourable caramel sauce works best to cover the crackers without soaking them. Store-bought caramel sauces or homemade recipes both work well.
Print
Easy Caramel Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies for Holiday Fun Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 cookies (10 sandwiches)
Description
These Easy Caramel Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are a simple and festive holiday treat combining buttery crackers, gooey caramel, rich melted chocolate, and a hint of sea salt. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a fun family baking activity, these no-fuss sandwich cookies melt in your mouth with every bite.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Ritz Crackers (about 40 crackers, 20 pairs)
- Caramel Sauce (approximately 1 cup for drizzling)
- Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark – 1 cup)
- Sea Salt (a pinch for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to reach temperature fully before baking.
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking during baking.
- Arrange crackers: Lay out half of the Ritz crackers flat on the parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
- Drizzle caramel: Spoon a generous amount of caramel sauce over each cracker, ensuring good coverage but leaving a small border around the edges.
- Create sandwich: Top each caramel-covered cracker with another Ritz cracker, pressing gently to form a sandwich.
- Bake sandwiches: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cracker sandwiches for about 5 minutes, just until the caramel softens but does not completely melt out.
- Melt chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips by heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted.
- Drizzle chocolate: Once the cookies have cooled slightly, carefully drizzle the melted chocolate over the tops of each sandwich.
- Add sea salt: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the melted chocolate to enhance flavor contrast.
- Cool completely: Let the cookies cool fully on the baking sheet to allow the chocolate to set before transferring to a serving dish or storing in an airtight container.
Notes
- Use caramel sauce that is soft enough to drizzle but thick enough to hold on the crackers.
- Feel free to customize chocolate type depending on preference—dark chocolate adds richness, milk chocolate offers sweetness, and semi-sweet balances both.
- Chilling the caramel sandwiches briefly before baking can help prevent melting too much.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.
- For a fancy touch, you can also sprinkle crushed peppermint candies instead of sea salt for a holiday twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Caramel Cookies, Ritz Cracker Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Christmas Cookies, Easy Dessert
