I might mention it on here once in awhile, but I don’t think I talk enough about the importance of family. I grew up with my parents and a younger brother, but for one reason or another, didn’t see my extended family very often.
Though we alway kept busy on birthdays and holidays, a part of me has always wished that I had multiple aunts, uncles and cousins who were a larger part of my life.
Now that I’m in my twenties, though I have no immediate plans to marry and have my own children, it’s fun to imagine how my family tree will grow.
As we get older, some of my cousins and I have become closer friends than we were as children and my brother is finally realizing that I’m not a Really Lame Sister (actually I think he realized that when I was 21 and could buy beer).
With a larger family comes more special occasions. More birthdays to remember, more cards to send on holidays. More names that you can’t consider for your own children, more gossip and more graduations.
Also more weddings.
In October, my oldest cousin Jordan is getting married and as part of the deal, she’s acquiring Allison, a sister-in-law who absolutely rocks.
Because she isn’t great enough, she gave me a recipe that if you make it, will make you wish you were marrying into her family too.
Reminiscent of toffee candy, this recipe uses the most basic of crackers with ingredients that many people already have in the pantry. It takes about 10 minutes to make and will probably take about that long for your family or friends to devour it.
There is very little I can say to justify this recipe, nutritionally, except that you should exercise portion control when eating it. That may include: taping your mouth shut, sitting on your hands, throwing it in the garbage to stop eating it.
- 40 saltine crackers (about 1½ sleeves)
- ¾ cup butter (1½ sticks)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1½ - 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped almonds (peanuts, cashews or pistachios would all be great with this too
- Line a baking sheet or jelly roll pan with aluminum foil and grease or spay with PAM. Lay saltine crackers in a single layer in the pan.
- Preheat oven to 400F. Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, stirring constantly. Add brown sugar and stir until combined. Bring to a rolling boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour butter/sugar mixture over saltines.
- Bake at 400F for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
- Remove from oven and before crackers cool, sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Allow it to set for 5 minutes or until the chocolate chips are melted and spread across the crackers with a knife or large spatula. Sprinkle chopped nuts across the top, if desired.
- Let tray cool in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours, or until candy is chilled. Break into pieces and store in a tin for up to 3 days.
35 Comments
Elizabeth
March 10, 2011 at 5:39 pmwow, that sounds and looks incredibly yummy!!
gift to the Philippines
September 22, 2009 at 4:37 amWow! thank you for the recipe i will try this at home for sure my kids will love it.
ford
Leslie
August 27, 2009 at 11:47 amthis looks like the perfect PMS treat – yummm!
Chrissy
August 25, 2009 at 2:27 pmMy boyfriend’s mom makes a recipe just like this every year for Christmas. She makes tins and tins full, but, with three boys in the house, you pretty much have to be there while it’s being made in order to get any. (Or, armed with this recipe, I can always just make it on my own…as long as she doesn’t find out.) And, yes, taping your mouth shut or just giving up and throwing it away is really the only way to ensure you don’t eat it all in one sitting.
bodelou
August 20, 2009 at 1:00 pmi love the combination of saltines with something sweet. as a kid i would put melted carmel cubes on top of saltine crackers, made quite simply in the microwave 🙂
Susan at SGCC
August 19, 2009 at 9:43 pmOooh! I could never make this. I’d end up eating the whole batch! My mother used to make something like this using matzoh instead of saltines. Same devastating effect on me!
Kate
August 16, 2009 at 11:32 amI’ve seen this everywhere and I refuse to even consider making it. With the sheer lack of self-esteem exhibited by every member of this household, it would be a colossal mistake. Thanks for tempting me…..again!
anushruti
August 16, 2009 at 6:13 amThat looks delectable.
Kerstin
August 16, 2009 at 12:47 amWhat a yummy sweet and salty treat! It does look super addicting.
Erin
August 15, 2009 at 5:30 pmI have something very similar to that in my blog. Minus the chocolate. And it’s SOOO addictive!
Margaret (Nanny Goats)
August 15, 2009 at 3:48 pmFirst, you must forgive me for barging in on a blog targeted for twenty-somethings as I can only vaguely remember my twenties. However, I just couldn’t stand by and not say how deLISHus that candy looks – yum!
Also? Hanging around a younger generation makes me feel “groovy” and “with it”… uh… I mean phat….er, I mean “soooo like totally cool”, uh, I mean….oh forget it. Have you seen my walker?
Carissa
August 14, 2009 at 7:02 pmmy family is very much the same as yours! growing up, I didn’t see my many aunts/uncles/cousins very much. the thing is, even though we are older now, we still don’t talk/see each other because we never really formed that foundation for a relationship, you know? though, I think my younger brother no longer looks at me as the Really Lame Sister either! which is always a good thing. though, I don’t buy him beer, haha.
anyhoo, regarding the recipe, that looks delicious! and so unique, I have never heard of anything like this before… but I like that it is so easy. even I could do it! 🙂
Sophie
August 14, 2009 at 5:07 pmWhat tasty looking candy!! Looks pretty amazing!!
MMMMMM,…Maris!!!
Joie de vivre
August 14, 2009 at 11:31 amOh Maris,
How I have missed reading your blog! I have tasted this candy before. You are right, the sweet/salty combination is absolutely intoxicating! Extended family is important. My in-laws moved to our town a few years ago and it is so wonderful to see my boys have a close relationship with them! Enjoy your cousin’s wedding! It’s been a few years now since the last of my cousin’s got married (2004 I think) and that seems to be the only time we all get together! Have a great time.
Christina
August 14, 2009 at 9:29 amThis is my Moms favorite thing to make for parties. They are SO good – You’ll definitely need some control to not eat too many!
Paula
August 14, 2009 at 8:20 amWow, that looks amazing!
As for family, I have a brother and sister and that’s pretty much it. One uncle, no cousins, tons of great aunts/uncles and second cousins though.
A guy in my sister’s class at school used to say we were like orphans or something. Which was kind of mean. And untrue.
tara
August 14, 2009 at 12:49 amAs one who cannot get enough of a salty/sweet combination, I adore this for the holidays. So quick to make, it has long been a favourite to bundle up in tins for last-minute gifts. It is always a hit.
Lisa
August 13, 2009 at 11:19 pmI actually tried making these several years ago, but mine looked like shards of goo. I think I didn’t cook the toffee long enough. They were tasty, though. Yours look amazing..like straight from a gourmet candy shoppe. BTW, you definitely should make those ribs for your brother and mom. They’re really great 🙂
Kristen
August 13, 2009 at 10:57 pmI only have one cousin and married into a family with a zillion! So crazy different, but fun.
This saltine candy looks insanely good and so easy!
Ashley
August 13, 2009 at 3:38 pmWow, that looks awesome!
Megan
August 13, 2009 at 2:40 pmOh my gosh… I’ve definitely made something like this… but sprinkled mini M&Ms, pretzels pieces and other things on top. I love using the saltines in it… this is the perfect salty/sweet snack! Thanks for reminding me… lovely thoughts and lovely pictures!
grace
August 13, 2009 at 1:59 pmi know this stuff. i know it all too well. 🙂
Nicole
August 13, 2009 at 1:38 pmYum! I love the sweet and salty combo – it’s like having french fries after my ice cream. Thanks for another great recipe!
Teanna
August 13, 2009 at 12:57 pmI totally know what you mean about family. I am not close to my extended family by any means. My closest cousins and aunts and uncles are not actually family by blood at all. But they are best friends of my parents from before I was born and not only do we call each other Aunt and Uncle, but their whole extended family calls my brother and I their nice and nephew! It is truly amazing! Great post, and I LOVE that candy!
lisa (dandysugar)
August 13, 2009 at 12:11 pmThis toffee looks incredible! Sweet and salty is the best. My family comes together when the holidays roll around. We have big dinners and parties with all kinds of food, lots of fun!
doggybloggy
August 13, 2009 at 11:32 amgreat recipe! I have a very large and extended family but I live so far away from them…
thatShortChick
August 13, 2009 at 11:31 amthis sounds like it would perfectly satiate my love for things salty&sweet but I would do it without the nuts.
brandi
August 13, 2009 at 10:14 amthese look SO good! I love getting family recipes, from both sides! It’s cool to see what foods are traditions in other families, especially on holidays.
kat
August 13, 2009 at 9:29 amI’ve done something like this with graham crackers & this type of sweet is so good
mandy
August 13, 2009 at 9:05 amYum, this would be a quick and easy thing for me to make with my friends daughter. She’s 12 and loves to cook/bake. As a bonus it can be left at her house and I wont have to eat any! =)
VeggieGirl
August 13, 2009 at 8:35 amLove what you said about families!! Amen.
Great dessert!!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
August 13, 2009 at 8:33 amCome to think of it, nobody who has married into my family has brought any type of sweet recipes with them. My entire extended family is dessert-challenged! This toffee looks amazing, and I love Kim’s idea of making this with matzoh.
Daryl
August 13, 2009 at 4:39 amThese look as good as I know that they taste
kim/hormone-colored days
August 13, 2009 at 12:38 amYum! I do something like this, only with matzah, each year for Passover, so I can imagine how delicious this is! I’m sure to have “sweet dreams” tonight, LOL.
CrystalsCozyKitchen
August 13, 2009 at 12:36 amThat looks so delicious… it probably helps that I’ve been craving chocolate all day!