New spin on an old school classic. This Cracker Caramel Chocolate Bark is so easy and so good. But be warned, it is addicting AF! Aptly named Crack Bark, well because I hear crack is addicting as AF. Any who, I updated it by making it Gluten Free, lactose free and using high quality dark chocolate. Yeah, AF!
You can find versions of the old school recipe using saltine crackers all over the information superhighway, all with slight variations. Probably was back in the day, I’m thinking 70’s. Who knows, just a guess but it kind of has that 70’s party food vibe! Who cares, it’s delicious!
I brought it into the present though using gluten free table crackers, by Schar. They taste just like the original only better! You can get them at Whole Foods, at least that’s where I got them. I also wanted to keep these lactose free, so I swapped the butter for Green Valley Lactose Free Butter and dark chocolate (I used 85% cocoa) and Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chips. So good! It comes together in less than 20 minutes, not counting the cooling time. Then bada-bing, bada-boom, you got yourself some Crack Bark! Seriously, you better make it when you are having a lot of people over or you plan on giving some away. You will eat piece, after piece, after piece….!
It tastes a bit like toffee, but so much better. You get the crunch and saltiness from the crackers, the toffee like caramel layer that seeps into those salty crackers, finished with that other level of flavor, luscious chocolate! Of course, I had to add more salt with a flaky sea salt adorning the rich chocolate coating and then topped it all off with chopped caramelized pecans. You will not be disappointed, although you may be disappointed in yourself after you gorge yourself on this sensational treat!
Glistening sheet of cocoa goodness!
Caramelized pecans and flaky sea salt for the finish!
Just look at that caramelized crackery airy goodness! Not to mention, well to mention that chocolate!
So, get your crack on this weekend…Crack Bark people, the only acceptable kind of crack, and take a timeout for 20 minutes to make this. If you’re looking for an excuse to treat yourself this weekend, it’s Day Light Saving on Sunday! Celebrate spring ahead and indulge in some old school, new school decadence. We all deserve it after a long winter!
Happy Weekending and Crack Barking It and Day Light Saving It! 🙂
Diane
- Supplies Needed:
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Non-stick spray
- For the Bark:
- 24oz package of Schar Gluten Free Table Crackers
- 1¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 sticks of Green Valley Lactose Free Butter
- 1 cup of semi-sweet Joy Life chocolate chips
- 1 cup of 85% dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup to ¾ cup chopped caramelized pecans (can sub roasted pecans)
- flaky sea salt for garnish
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees and line the baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray.
- Lay a single layer of the table crackers down on the prepared sheet to cover the entire sheet pan. Don't overlap, if some crack just replace the pieces. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, add the butter and sugar and stir until all the butter is melted and the caramel is completely smooth stirring constantly . Should take about 5 minutes or so.
- Carefully pour the caramel over the crackers and spread to cover the crackers completely using an off-set spatula or knife. Place sheet pan in the oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes until the caramel is bubbly.
- Turn oven off and carefully remove sheet pan (melted sugar is hot) and pour the chocolate chips over the top of the caramel. Put sheet pan back in the warm oven for 5 minutes to melt the chocolate. Remove from the oven and evenly spread the chocolate over the caramel using off-set spatula or knife. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Pop in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 hours until completely cool. Remove from fridge and break into pieces. Store in airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Enjoy!
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