Easy-to-make cracker brittle makes a great gift

How did I not know about this?

Quick, easy, inexpensive and alarmingly addictive, who would think four simple ingredients could produce a yummy treat the whole family will love? Sweet and salty, chocolatey, buttery and crunchy all at once.

Pure bliss.

Several years ago I was looking for a simple recipe that was special enough to give as a gift but

inexpensive enough that I could actually make enough to give away. Being a fan of brittles and toffee I never thought to make them myself. I figured I would have to navigate complicated directions and worse yet — try to find my candy thermometer. But no!

This recipe is so undemanding you can make it anytime you have a half hour to spare.

I must tell you; this is not a recipe for the kiddies. The boiling sugar and butter is molten lava hot so please exercise caution.

CHRISTMAS CRACKER BRITTLE

2 sleeves of saltine crackers;

1 cup either brown or white sugar or a combo;

1 cup butter - no substitutions;

1 cup chocolate chips – any kind; milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark, white chocolate (optional);

Optional toppings – nuts, coconut, chocolate coated candies, crushed candies.

Time: 30 minutes Yield: About 40 pieces

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil shiny side up or parchment paper.

Cover the baking sheet with a single layer of crackers as close together as possible and set aside.

In a sauce pan on medium heat melt the butter and sugar together, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Allow the mixture to boil for 5 minutes.

Carefully pour the butter mixture over the crackers and spread evenly with a metal spatula or the back of a spoon. This is super hot so be very careful. Bake at 400°F for eight minutes. It will be very bubbly. Watch that it doesn’t burn. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Now, you could stop right here and have a lovely treat. But if you’re adding chocolate pieces, sprinkle them evenly over the hot brittle so they will melt.

Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the brittle. If you’re adding toppings sprinkle evenly while the chocolate is still soft. Let this cool to room temperature and it will harden. Break it into pieces and serve or package as a gift.

Yum!

This recipe lends itself to many variations. A personal favorite is to substitute graham crackers for the saltines.

You can also use buttery rich round crackers or even vanilla cookies. You can also vary the toppings for an infinite number of variations, limited only by your imagination.

This is a real empty-out-the-pantry candy.

Frugal Festivity contributed by Patti Diamond author of Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous!, www.divasonadime.com Join us on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom