Churro Saltine Toffee Recipe
Churro Saltine Toffee is a delightful, crunchy dessert featuring a salty and sweet combination of saltine crackers topped with rich buttery toffee, cinnamon sugar, and optionally finished with a drizzle of white chocolate or cream cheese frosting. This quick and easy treat combines classic churro flavors with the satisfying crunchy base of saltines, baked to perfection for a gooey, caramelized finish.
- Author: Joe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 16 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 40 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Base
Toffee Topping
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping and Finishing
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup white chocolate or cream cheese frosting (optional)
- Preheat and Prepare Base. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking and maintain the integrity of the crackers. Arrange the 40 saltine crackers in a single even layer across the sheet.
- Make Toffee Mixture. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter and 1 cup of brown sugar together, stirring constantly. Once the mixture reaches a boil, allow it to bubble gently for exactly 3 minutes to achieve the perfect toffee consistency. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Pour and Spread Toffee. Immediately pour the hot toffee evenly over the saltine crackers on the baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread the mixture thoroughly, ensuring all crackers are coated.
- Bake the Toffee. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 6 minutes, until the toffee mixture is visibly bubbling, which signals that the caramelization is complete.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar. While the toffee is still hot, evenly sprinkle the mixture of 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon over the top to mimic the classic churro flavor and add a sweet crunch.
- Cool and Chill. Allow the toffee to cool slightly at room temperature, then transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator. Chill for 1 to 2 hours until the toffee sets firmly and becomes easy to break.
- Serve with Optional Toppings. Once firm, break or cut the toffee into squares. For extra indulgence, drizzle with melted white chocolate or spread cream cheese frosting over the pieces before serving.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and to keep the saltine base intact for best crunchiness.
- Do not over-boil the toffee mixture; 3 minutes is ideal for achieving the perfect caramelized texture.
- If you want neat squares, cut into pieces after chilling but before the toffee gets too hard.
Keywords: Churro, Saltine Crackers, Toffee, Dessert, Cinnamon Sugar, Sweet Snack, American Treat