Holiday Cooking & Baking Recipes: Crack Candy Recipe 

Do y'all have candies that you make at Christmas time? I'd love to hear your recipes!

You got me through the beginning of lockdown. It was so much more than just sharing recipes. You helped us feel normal, even when you were unsure yourself. Thank you 💕

We call this Christmas crack and the kids go crazy over it. We go thru batches and batches. My 16 year old son just today asked when the first batch was coming. Happy Christmas Paula and everyone

Hello! Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and your family! We make this for Passover but we use sheets of matzoh instead of Saltines. These are easier to handle but when I cut it is more freeform. Also I let it sit right after it exits the oven on the counter for 5 minutes after sprinkling on all the chips, then I spread the melted chocolate smooth with a butter knife.. While the chocolate is still soft I put the chopped nuts on and since there are all these nut sensitive folks now I only add nuts to about half. My kids named it Matzoh Crack on their own. We alsways have to have it.❤️❤️❤️ I got the recipe from a math teacher named Sandy Fischer, from West Nyack, NY. A really nice lady.

OH this is a different twist on what I grew up eating as crack candy. We started out the same with the crackers and then the sugar mixture, but then we put the chocolate chips on and put it in the oven long enough to melt them enough to spread the melted mixture. Then we sprinkled nuts or colored Christmas sprinkles, mini m&ms, etc. on top and let cool. Then we would just break it up by hand into pieces.

❤️ This is the kind of fun old-fashioned recipe that everybody can make and that is so delicious and homey. Thank you for sharing this, Paula!

Paula I’m so glad I get to see you every day. I’m so glad you started doing RU-vid. I stop watching food network when you was no longer on.

My grandmother also made the best divinity. She cooked it in her genuine presser cooker - the stove top kind. She ground her pecans finely so they went through the whole candy instead of just on the surface. She made so many dozens from Thanksgiving to Christmas and gave it as gifts. She sent me a couple of pounds when I was in college. It was sooo good and I've never seen it like hers before.

Yum! The only thing better is if you were in my little kitchen to fix it, lol. I used to make peanut butter balls, aka Buckeyes and decided it would taste the same in a bar form and be a LOT easier. Here is my recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Bars Yield: 16 bars or double for 9 x 13 Prep Time: 15 minutes | Chill Time: 30 minutes ½ cup unsalted butter (I use salted)
 1¾ cups powdered sugar
 1 cup smooth peanut butter (can use crunchy)
 ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs ¼ cup unsalted butter 
½ cup milk chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate) (I use semi sweet) 1. Line an 8×8-inch square pan with foil, leaving enough to hang over the sides, then butter the foil. Set aside. (I just butter dish) 2. In a medium saucepan, melt the ½ cup of butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter and graham cracker crumbs until completely combined and smooth. Spread the peanut butter mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. 3. In the now-empty saucepan, melt the ¼ cup unsalted butter. Add the chocolate and stir until almost completely melted. Remove from heat and continue stirring until completely melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and smooth into an even layer. 4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set. Remove from the pan using the foil overhangs and place on a cutting board. Use a pizza cutter to slice into 16 bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. (I just keep it in the pan/dish I use)

I've made similar candy but I've always called it "poor man's almond rocca". I've made variations using mint chocolate chips or half chocolate chips & half peanut butter chips. I've also made with plain chocolate chips then sprinkle with sweetened coconut flakes. Any way you make it, its yummy

Just tried this recipe and My family cannot stop raving about it!!! These are addictive!!♥️😍 thank you Paula!!♥️♥️

Not the first thing I was looking for when I searched “how to make crack” but a good find notheless! ❤

I love making this but we call it Christmas Crack. We always put the red & green m&ms instead of the toffee and nuts but I'll definitely have to try this version!!

I must say I have been making this candy since the 90's and I have seen so many different ways to make it. Merry Christmas!

Thanks for showing the whole video. All I could find to make this been shorts. I'm going to try this but with sprinkles instead if toffee and nuts.

My Daughter is Celiac and I make it with Schar crackers. Turns out so good!

Love you Paula from your first show years ago. You are a symbol of strength and courage and goodness. Thank You.

Lol, my heart aches for your ladle!!! 😂💔 I make YOUR recipe for this, every year! My husband LOVES it! But there's no toffee on top of toffee!! I think it's called crack candy because it's so addictive!!! 😲😂😂

I’m going to try this candy! Paula, I’ve not had great divinity since my grandma passed in 1989, if you make divinity, I’m going to camp on your porch! Yum yum!! Can’t wait to see your cousin!!! Hope y’all had a great Thanksgiving!!! ❤️

Nothing ever compares to Mommas cooking Mrs. Paula I agree!! ❤️❤️

I met Miss Dean at Caesar's Palace a few yrs back. She was so sweet. She is the same in real life. Just love her!

My mother always made divinity too! I've never tried it because it'd be hard to do it justice. Hers was always perfect.

Pecan brittle 1/2 cup corn syrup 1 cup sugar Mix n then microwave 4 minutes Add 1 heaping cup pecans 1 stick butter Microwave 4 more minutes Stir in 1 tsp vanilla Microwave 2 minutes Stir in 1.5 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp. Salt Stir well n fast. Pour onto well buttered pan n smooth out in thin layer Cool well Break into pieces n enjoy

Oh Paula, I just love you to pieces girl. All my candy recipes are all of yours anyway. I have collected them over the years that I watched you cook, I miss those days. Hope all your grand Babies are doing well and The boys too. Give Michael a kiss for me and know Paula I love you so much.

I make Graham Cracker Toffee. Only 5 ingredients & So good! Love ya Paula!

Apple cake, 2 c. Flower, 2 c. Sugar, 1 tsp. Salt, 1 tsp. Baking soda, cinnamon to taste, 4 eggs , 3 tsp. Vanilla, 5 c. Diced apples , 1 c. Oil, mix well, non-greased 8x10 cake pan, 350 dgr oven for 50 to 60 minutes, topping , 10x Powdered sugar, 1-2 tsp. Milk cinnamon to taste , cool cake for 1 hour then frost. Then Enjoy !!!!!!! My family loves this cake all year around. I have missed you, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!.

I can't wait to try this recipe. Looks delicious. The toffee bits are a fun addition to what I usually make. I just wish Mrs. Paula would stop licking her fingers & then touching all the treats.

My mom made this and called it Cracker Toffee. Delicious!!!

I make this but I use dark brown sugar, salted butter, 1/4 tsp. Sea salt & 1/2 tsp of vanilla, what a difference it make😋 I use milk chocolate, that’s why I need to balance it out& use a little more salt👍🏻

I LOVE that ladle! Hope it’s easy to repair. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I think I you shared it years ago but I never got around to trying it. 💗

I love the recipe for graham crackers with caramel sauce and pecans ❤🌲🌹

Merry Christmas , Happy New Year. I love watching you. You make me smile. Love y'all.

Mom is the beauty!

My son came home and told me he made crack at school once. I was like what in the Sam hell did you say? Finally realized this was what he was talking about.

Licks her fingers and then picks up crackers. Guess that’s part of Southern Cookin’!

The way that we make our Christmas crack is that we let the choc chips melt first, then spread them evenly so on the toffee layer. Then immeditately sprinkle the nuts, etc. on top of it. Wait for it to harden and then "crack" it in random pieces. :')

Love you, your cooking, family, everything. I just don’t get saltine crackers being anything to put in candy or sweets. Same with pretzels and candy.

If you let it cool a bit you can crack/break it apart into pieces it’s a lot easier. 😊

Paula, I need a divinity recipe, I can’t seem to my find recipe but I remember you can’t make it in a rainy day ❤🌲🌹

Buckeyes is good w pb balls dipped in chocolate

I just love you Paula ❤ you are absolutely my favorite and my fiancee and our kids are going to make this crack candy tonight. Thanks so much for sharing this

This looks delicious. I will definitely make it. More candy. Please.

Paula I love love love you!! I have been watching you since you first came on the tv!! I sure have missed your cooking show!! I love all of your recipes!! Have you come out with any cook book’s lately?? That’s for always being real!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄 GOD BLESS YOU AKWAYS!!💖

Paula I just love you. Just listening to you reminds me of my aunt, you both have the same accent and same expressions.

Now I have to find my "Butter Rum Pecan Fudge" recipes for Paula.

Milk chocolate. Yes. Im a fan to. I figured out it was my fav baking x mas cookies just a few x mases back making m&m cookies. Everybody was like what did you do to these cookies. I was like.???? We figured it out. It was the m&ms. They are milk choc. I wont go back. Its my "secrent ingredient. Cat's outta the bag now. Happy holidays Mrs Paula. How about doing some mini loaves of fruit cake. And I lost a recipe for pumpkin bread. It had cook kind of coconut pudding. This one called for like a whole stick of melted butter, canned pumpkin and the dry mix box of coconut pudding. Oh so moist. My kids hhave beenrequesting but I have not close to the moistness of that one. Id love your help on that.

I've made this for years, but I don't like saltines and use ritz instead. It's so good.

Great video Paula! Merry Christmas to you and all of your family 🌲❤️🌹🙏

Hi Paula! Is it ok if you use salted butter or does it have to be unsalted? Thank you ma’am 😘

Ya, talk about trying to make sweets and candy for the holidays when my son and granddaughter are allergic to nuts that have a milky substance like when squeezed like pecans, almonds, walnuts and any others like that. So I'm hoping besides peanuts I can use Hazelnuts, Pistachio Nuts, and peanuts. I guess at least I have 3 to pick from. Better than just peanuts.

Paula, you could put the pan of hot product in the fridge to harden and then just break it up. Easier than cutting squares.

Do you place your crackers salt side down?

How much brown sugar? Dark or light? I'm hoping to make it tomorrow for New Year

We just love you, Paula Deen. 🎄🎄🎄

Black walnut brittle. My kids love it!

Paula, here's another simple recipe that my grandchildren Absolutely love.: 1 bag of Puffed Corn ( Plain or Buttered) White and Chocolate Candy melts ( melt seperately) Bag of mini M&M's, and Red and Green Christmas Sprinkles ( not sugar) Line large baking sheet with Parchment Paper...spread Puffs in a single layer. Drizzle melted white chocolate over top, then while it's still wet sprinkle M&M's over top lightly. Then drizzle melted Chocolate over top of that, then add Red and Green Christmas sprinkles over top. Let dry 10-15 minutes before breaking up into pieces...store in air tight container at room temp. Enjoy!!

Melt white chocolate, crunchy chow mein noodles OR broken pretzel sticks, dried cherries OR craisins. MMMM

Love you Paula and your beautiful family/friends! 💕😘

gotta try that...looks soooooo good!!

How long can you make ahead

Every year I sell homemade caramels by the hundreds - thousands an old recipe from Anita Pritchard to the co workers of my husband’s and also my children’s coworkers, church family, local mom and pop businesses, family and friends. Crazy thing is a Kraft company is not far from my home and a sell my caramels to their employees. I have been making them and Caramel Apples of nearly 21 different flavors for over ten years during the Holidays. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

It looks wonderful

Paula you hair is so cute today!

yep I like the salty and the sweet to good day all

Looking forward to more recipes

Do you think this will work with vegan butter

Oh how I miss having a ginger cat in my house talking to me!

Up North, we call that Brickle.

I'd try it,I do love candy.

If u put them in the freezer for 30 min, Before cutting them up, And then u can just break them up!❤

I just can't believe you licked your fingers every time you removed a cracker from the pan, the ultimate share!

Paula it’s good to see you once again

My daughter in law has a nut allergies. What could I substitute. For them in this recipe? Or could I just leave them out?

Miss plaula I have missed you and your recipes

Wonder how graham cracker would taste? 🤔

This Crack Candy recipe looks so delicious Paula.

Oh and your supposed to put that in the fridge after the oven let it set hard then fold over and break it

Love you Paula 😊.

Make sure the humidity is low when making divinity.that’s the trick

I love her

I would love to go to her house and cook with her , I just love her to hear her talk love that Candy ❤️❤️🥰

My Mom made that also.

Love Making banana pudding 😋Delicious

Would you happen to know the name of these candies.. there soft, peppermint flavored and I think you use butter and pastel colored. My Grandma used to make them but I never knew the name? If not got anything similar sounding?

i would put it in the freezer first to harden, then break the pieces off. ive never seen anyone do it while its still warm.

1 container of Oreos crushed ( any flavor) mixed with a block of cream cheese. Make into small bite size balls then freeze. Melt bag of chocolate chips ( can use dark, white,Or butterscotch based on flavor of Oreos. Dip each ball into melted chocolate then let cool or freeze ahead. Makes delicious, wonderful cheesecake type candies for Christmas. You can decorate the balls with drizzling various melted chocolate of opposite color or add food coloring to white, crushed nuts, sprinkles etc.

Paula. You should consider reproducing that ladle and selling it. I have never seen one besides yours. My favorite holiday candy is peanut butter fudge that my Mother makes especially for me. :-)

It would be fun to see you make divinity, it’s so nice at Christmas! My Grandma would tint hers different pastel colors, it was delicious and so pretty 🎄

My Daddy was a police officer for years. Durning Christmas time my Mama always made burbon balls for him to take to work. As a treat for all the Officers after work. It is fast mixing together and then rolling them into balls was always fun as a family. 1 box vanilla wafers 1 Teaspoon cocoa 1/2 cup ( or more)bourbon 1 cup powdered sugar (splitting into 2 -1/2 cups) Crumble vanilla wafers add 1/2 cup powdered sugar into the crumbs. Add cocoa & bourbon use your hands to mix until you have a play dough. consistency you can roll into a ball. Roll balls into powdered sugar.

Paula, you are just so natural… makes me feel like you are talking to me . So enjoy watching and learning from you!

Thank you Ms. Paula for bringing back one of my most favorite childhood memories. Coming home from school at Christmas time and if the weather was just right, mama would have a long table lined up in the Florida room laid out with beautiful divinity that she had just made. So good.

After I heat it up, I stick it in the freezer until it hardens and then "crack" it into pieces. It is addicting!!

Looks delicious! My grandmother made the best divinity and always said to make it on a sunny day. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Good Sunday morning Ms Paula and friends!👋🏽 Crack candy sounds highly addictive.😋 Probably is. 😂😂😂

PLEASE, Ms Paula...... show us how you make pralines!!!! My Mama used to make the best pralines, but I never got her recipe....I'm sure yours would come close!!! 😊❤

Geeze I love this woman! Anything with 2 sticks of butter has GOT to be good 💚

Omg I love this and you so much!! I am making a German chocolate mayonnaise cake. Random I know but my great-grandmother always made them and the family loved it so why not.

great minds think alike. I just picked up the ingredients to make this yesterday. my family tradition is to make a holiday treat every week vs all at one time so we can enjoy them throughout the holiday season vs just at our Christmas get together

TERESA IS CORRECT, YOU HAVE TO LET THIS COOL BEFORE CUTTING

You need to allow the butter and brown sugar to actually boil for awhile to get very thick before pouring over crackers. The bottom layer has to hardened before you try to brake it all into pieces.