This Salted Caramel Chocolate Bark is a festive, sweet-and-salty treat that’s as easy to make as it is irresistible. With layers of crunchy crackers, gooey caramel, melted chocolate, and colorful holiday toppings, it’s the perfect no-fuss dessert for gifting or enjoying at home during the holidays.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it checks all the boxes—sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy. It’s made with simple pantry staples and comes together in under 30 minutes. Plus, it’s incredibly fun to customize with toppings, which makes it great for getting creative with festive decorations or involving the kids. This bark also stores well, making it an ideal make-ahead treat.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Saltine crackers
Unsalted butter
Brown sugar
Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
Holiday-themed sprinkles
Mini M&M’s or colored candy-coated chocolates
Flaky sea salt (optional)
Directions
I start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
I arrange the saltine crackers in a single layer to completely cover the bottom of the pan.
In a saucepan, I melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat until it begins to boil. I let it boil for 3 minutes without stirring.
I immediately pour the caramel mixture over the crackers and spread it evenly.
I bake the tray for 5 minutes, then remove it and sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot caramel layer.
After letting it sit for a minute, I spread the melted chocolate with a spatula until smooth.
I quickly top the bark with sprinkles, M&M’s, and a pinch of sea salt.
I let it cool completely (or refrigerate it for quicker setting), then break it into pieces.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 pieces of bark and takes roughly 25 minutes to prepare and bake, plus additional time for cooling. It’s perfect for serving a crowd or packaging as edible gifts.
Variations
I sometimes swap out saltines for graham crackers or pretzels for a different kind of crunch.
For a richer flavor, I use dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate.
Chopped nuts like almonds or pecans add extra texture and nutty flavor.
I’ve also made a version with white chocolate drizzles and crushed peppermint candies for a wintry twist.
Storage/Reheating
I store this bark in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If I want to keep it longer, I refrigerate it for up to two weeks or freeze it for up to three months. No reheating is needed—just grab and enjoy!
FAQs
What kind of crackers work best for this bark?
I usually go with saltine crackers because their salty crunch balances the sweetness perfectly, but other options like Ritz or graham crackers also work well.
Can I make this bark ahead of time?
Yes, I often make it a few days in advance and keep it stored in an airtight container until needed. It holds up great.
How do I melt the chocolate evenly?
After sprinkling the chocolate chips over the hot caramel, I wait a minute to let them soften, then I spread them gently with a spatula until smooth.
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
I wouldn’t recommend it for this recipe. The homemade butter and sugar mixture sets up better and sticks to the crackers properly.
Why didn’t my caramel set properly?
If the caramel didn’t boil long enough or wasn’t baked fully, it may remain too soft. I always make sure to boil the mixture for a full 3 minutes and bake it for 5 minutes to get the right consistency.
Conclusion
This Salted Caramel Chocolate Bark is my go-to holiday treat when I want something festive, easy, and absolutely addictive. Whether I’m making it for guests, gifts, or just to indulge in a sweet moment, this bark never fails to deliver on flavor and cheer.
This Salted Caramel Chocolate Bark is a festive, sweet-and-salty treat made with saltine crackers, homemade caramel, melted chocolate, and fun toppings. Perfect for the holidays, gifting, or a quick indulgence, it’s easy to prepare and highly customizable.
Ingredients
40 saltine crackers
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup holiday-themed sprinkles
1/4 cup mini M&M’s or colored candy-coated chocolates
1/2 tsp flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
Arrange saltine crackers in a single layer to cover the bottom of the prepared pan.
In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 3 minutes without stirring.
Pour the caramel mixture over the crackers and spread evenly.
Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot caramel.
Let the chips sit for 1 minute, then spread the melted chocolate evenly with a spatula.
Sprinkle with holiday-themed sprinkles, mini M&M’s, and a pinch of flaky sea salt if using.
Let the bark cool completely at room temperature or refrigerate until set.
Break into pieces and serve or store.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Try different cracker bases like graham crackers or pretzels for variation.
Use dark chocolate or white chocolate for flavor variety.
Add chopped nuts or crushed peppermint for extra texture and flair.
