Happy almost-Cinco-de-Mayo!
If you’re reading this on May 4th, I’m probably having the most exciting day of my life. (I’ll update you on that later).
See what I did there? Cliffhanger. Keeps you coming back.
Yeah, I’m smooth.
You know what else you just can’t resist? This toffee crack.
This is no new recipe. As Deb of the incomparable Smitten Kitchen informs us, this recipe has been passed along from culinary genius to culinary genius, tweaked a little each time.
Having enjoyed the addictive cross between confection and chocolate bark, I though I’d put my own (festive) spin on the salty-sweet classic.
This toffee crack begins with a base of cinnamon graham crackers. I managed to puzzle-piece my crackers together so they were snug and lined the pan almost perfectly, something I know can be frustrating when using matzoh.
Next comes the richest, butteriest, easiest five-ingredient vegan caramel (a little brown sugar and a lot of vegan butter + some vanilla, a shake of cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne if you’re feeling adventurous). I may or may not have licked the spoon and burned my tongue. Twice.
Then you gotta wait 10 minutes while it all bakes in the oven (the second-to-worst part) and gets all bubbly and makes your entire house smell like one of those fudge shops at an amusement park. Then as soon as you get it out of the over you top it off with lots of dark chocolate, smooth it over, and then sprinkle it with flaky sea salt (omg).
Okay, I’ve got some bad news. Before you can actually consume this magic, you have to let it cool. But waiting is for suckers, so I stick my toffee crack in the freezer and it’s done in 30 minutes.
So the lowdown: this stuff is salty, sweet, chocolate-y, and a leeeeetle spicy in the best way. It’s totally addictive and beyond easy to make.
Plus, it’s 100% vegan. I know.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!!
- 1 sleeve of cinnamon graham crackers, about 6-8 full size crackers (strict vegans- check for honey!)
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup (= 2 sticks) vegan butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- pinch cayenne
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- flaky sea salt, for topping
- Preheat oven to 350° F
- Line a jelly roll pan (mine was 11x17) entirely with aluminum foil and then cut out a rectangle of parchment paper to line the bottom of the pan only.
- Line the bottom of the pan with graham crackers (you may need to break them to fit, but I didn't have any issues!)
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together.
- Once combined, turn the heat to medium/high until the mixture begins to boil.
- Stir continuously as the mixture boils (you may want to turn the heat down a little to prevent sugar from burning!) for about 2 minutes as it thickens.
- Take it off heat and stir in your vanilla, cinnamon, and cayenne.
- Pour caramel sauce over the crackers in the pan.
- Bake in oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Cover the toffee (will be bubbling) in chocolate chips and let the chocolate melt. Spread with a spatula until it's totally covered and smooth.
- Sprinkle with sea salt.
- Freeze for half an hour.
- Remove from freezer and break toffee into pieces.
Wow, this looks amazing; salted dark chocolate is my current craze!
Salty sweet is so so good 🙂
Oh this looks fantastic, Medha! I’m such a huge fan of barks like this. The Mexican hot chocolate flavor sounds so amazing! I think I could munch on this all day long!
Thanks, Gayle 🙂
I stick my melted chocolate in the freezer too! haha. Your chocolate looks perfectly tempered. Love the spice and the GORGEOUS salt.
I’m impatient, what can I say?
Medha, this is my JAM. You nailed it, girl!
Thanks, Sarah 🙂
What a fun recipe for Cinco de Mayo! I love toffee, and this looks incredible!
Toffee is the best 🙂
Love this chocolate crack! And your pictures are always gorgeous Medha! Perfect!
You’re too nice, thanks!
I would like some crack please! Some toffee crack that is, ha. I’ve made some of this stuff before and it is soo good! Love you twist with the cayenne pepper – yes please! Great recipe! (Can’t wait to hear about the best day of your life. May the fourth be with you :)).
Isn’t it addictive? And you will soon, it’s halfway over 🙂
Oh WOW this looks amaaazing! So good. Pinned.
Thanks for the pin!
Oooh! This looks heavenly. I love that good ol’ twist.
Thanks, Erin!
That is indeed crack! I’d love some right now please. I mean if it’s vegan it must be healthy right? 🙂
Exactly!
Ahhh!! This looks SO Good!! Perf for Cinco De Mayo!! Love this dessert recipe! 🙂 YUM!
Thank you 🙂
Haha-love the title! This does look addictive. Thanks for posting this right before bikini season. 😉
Hey- all year round is bikini season because bikini bodies are a myth- pass the candy! 🙂
Please pass the crack! I love this Medha! I can’t wait to hear what is so exciting for you today — cliffhangers are so unfair! 🙂
Haha thanks!
Mmm…I can never resist a good piece of toffee! This really does look addictive. And you’re right – now I’m totally curious/nosy to know what’s making today the most exciting day of your life!
Who can? Allllll will be explained soon 🙂
I would like a whole batch of this. NOW!
I got some in my fridge at the moment 🙂
Oh boy, that looks and sounds delicious, Medha! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
this is seriously just amazing!! I love the spices 🙂
Thanks so much!
OHHH this certainly looks CRACK-A-LICIOUS!
Hahaha thanks!
This looks so good and completely addcting! Love the spices you added!
The spices are definitely what makes it 🙂
I wouldn’t be able to control myself around this. It looks seriously addictive.
It’s almost all gone 🙂
Why/how have I not had this! Looks addicting-ly delicious!
Thanks!
Salty sweet desserts are the absolute best! Love the mexican chocolate spin!
Thank you 🙂
Give me all the salty sweet! I want to wash this down with a margarita today.
Thanks! 🙂
Mexican hot chocolate toffee crack!! I have to try this – looks delicious!
Thanks, Geraldine 🙂
Ahhhh this looks perfect! I love these flavors! Perfect for cinco de mayo :). Can’t wait to try!
LMK if you do 🙂
Ooo this looks perfect Medha! I love me some sweet deserts like this, I think I will finish the entire batch in one go!
I almost did 🙂
Ah, so it’s like matzo crack, but with graham crackers!? That’s just genius.
Haha yup! Thanks 🙂
That is totally crack, Medha! Wow. This looks SO amazing. I would not be able to stop!
Thanks!
Medha, you nailed the crack! They are so perfect. I always love bars and and these sea salt on top looks wonderful. Love your photos as always 🙂
Thanks so much 🙂
Oooooh Em Geeeee!! I don’t think I could wait for this to cool down before diving in–but I’m sure a little patience makes it even MORE well worth it 🙂 Looks fabulous!
Thanks, Amy 🙂
This looks wonderful!! I love the addition of cinnamon and cayenne!
Thanks, Kelley!
Eeeek! This looks incredible!!! LOVE it!
Thanks 🙂
This is a BRILLIANT idea! SO many good things going on here! Pinned 🙂
Thanks for the pin, Ashley 🙂
Love this recipe! It is so creative and the flavors are perfect!
Thanks 🙂
What a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! I love toffee crack, and this is such a totally unique way to make it! Genius 😉
Thanks, Allie!
The most exciting day of your life huh?! can’t wait to hear about it!! and Mexican Hot chocolate toffee crack?! freaking brilliant!!
Thanks!
What a fun twist on the traditional Christmas Crack!
The traditional stuff is great, too 🙂
Crack indeed! This looks amazing! Love the mexican hot chocolate twist!
Thanks, Chris!
This is pure heaven or pure evil, depending on how you look at it! But that dash of cayenne is ingenious!
Let’s go with a little bit of both?
I don’t even know what to say about this. Except that I really, really wish I had some to snack on right now! 🙂
Mine’s all gone, so me too!
Love the cayenne! Looks like such a satisfying, delicious dessert or snack!
Thank you!
Wow Medha, this is amazing! I don’t think I can wait until next year’s Cinco de Mayo to have a go at this!
Oh, and can’t wait to read your exciting news in your next post 🙂
Who says you have to wait till then! Andddd post is up 🙂
Mexican hot chocolate is just the best! This looks incredible 🙂
Thanks!
This looks great Medha! I love your Mexican hot chocolate variation!
Thank you 🙂
Oooh I love this stuff! Love the Mexican twist on it! looks delicious!
Thanks!
I can see why you named this what you did — it looks insanely addicting, and I love all those flavors!
Thanks! 🙂
This looks so addictive! I’m almost scared to make it cause I might never be the same again. 🙂
Haha thanks 🙂
I just made this and it’s absolutely delicious!!! My husband thought it would be good using Club crackers so I made two batched- one exactly as the recipe states and the second with Club crackers. They are equally irresistible!! My only question is whether it’s best to store them at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Thanks for the recipe!!
So glad to hear this! It depends on the heat of your home – I tend to store mine on the countertop, but if you find any melting happening, it’s fine to toss in the fridge!
We made this for Christmas and loved it!! It’s going to be our regular rotation now as requested by our grown sons. Don’t wait for Cinco de Mayo. Just treat yourself today!!
Thanks, Terri!