Description
Churro Saltine Toffee is a delightful sweet and salty treat featuring layers of crunchy saltine crackers topped with buttery cinnamon toffee and rich melted chocolate, garnished with nuts and a cinnamon sugar sprinkle for a perfect churro-inspired dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 sleeve (approximately 40) saltine crackers
Toffee
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips (optional, for extra richness)
Additional Garnish
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for added texture)
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
- Cinnamon sugar mixture (1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for the toffee base.
- Arrange Crackers: Place saltine crackers in a single layer, fitting them close together without overlapping on the baking sheet. Break crackers as needed to fill any gaps.
- Prepare Toffee Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine unsalted butter, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter melts and sugar dissolves.
- Cook Toffee: Allow the mixture to cook without stirring until it boils and turns a light amber color, about 5-7 minutes or reaching 300°F (149°C). Be vigilant to prevent burning.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
- Pour Toffee: Immediately pour the hot toffee evenly over the arranged saltine crackers and spread with a spatula to cover all crackers.
- Bake Toffee and Crackers: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 3-5 minutes until the toffee mixture is bubbly and evenly spread.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Remove from the oven and sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee surface.
- Melt Chocolate: Let the chocolate chips soften for a minute or two, then use a spatula to spread evenly over the toffee. Optionally, sprinkle milk chocolate chips on top of the melted semi-sweet chocolate.
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts, if using, over the melted chocolate and gently press them in to adhere.
- Sprinkle Salt and Cinnamon Sugar: Generously sprinkle coarse sea salt followed by the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top for that sweet and salty churro flavor.
- Cool Toffee: Allow the toffee to cool completely at room temperature for 1-2 hours or place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes until it hardens.
- Break Into Pieces: Once hardened, break the toffee into bite-sized pieces for serving.
- Serve and Store: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature layered between parchment paper to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Be sure to watch the toffee mixture carefully as it can burn quickly once it reaches boiling point.
- Using parchment paper on your baking sheet makes cleanup easier and helps prevent sticking.
- For a richer chocolate flavor, you can add milk chocolate chips along with the semi-sweet.
- Chopped nuts add great texture but are optional depending on your preference or allergies.
- Store the toffee in a cool, dry place to maintain its crispness and prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
