Introduction

Caramel Crackers are a deliciously sweet and crunchy snack that’s perfect for parties or an everyday treat. This simple recipe transforms plain oyster crackers into a caramel-coated delight with hints of cinnamon and vanilla.

A full bowl of small round crackers stacked high, each cracker is golden brown with a shiny caramel glaze on top, sprinkled with coarse salt crystals. The crackers have a slightly rough texture on the edges from being baked, and the glaze makes them look smooth and glossy. The bowl is white with a simple rim detail, and the scene is set on a white marbled surface. The background is softly blurred to keep the focus on the shiny crackers photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 package (9 ounces) oyster crackers
2 sticks (1 cup) butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Step 2: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Cook the mixture until it is smooth and bubbly, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 3: In a large bowl, pour the hot caramel mixture over the oyster crackers. Gently stir to coat all the crackers evenly without breaking them.
Step 4: Spread the coated crackers evenly on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
Step 5: Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning.
Step 6: Remove from the oven and let the crackers cool completely on the baking sheet. The caramel will harden as they cool, creating a crunchy coating.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or chili powder to the caramel sauce.
Use mini pretzels instead of oyster crackers for a salty-sweet twist.
Store in an airtight container once cooled to keep crackers crisp.

Storage

Store caramel crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To refresh their crunch, you can briefly warm them in a low oven before serving. Avoid refrigerating, as this can cause the caramel to become sticky.

How to Serve

A white bowl is filled with many small round pretzels that have a shiny caramel glaze on top, each pretzel sprinkled with coarse salt crystals. The pretzels are stacked in a slightly uneven pile, showing their golden brown edges and smooth glossy caramel surfaces, creating a warm and inviting look. The bowl sits on a white marbled texture surface with soft lighting highlighting the gloss and salt texture on the pretzels. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of crackers for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute oyster crackers with mini pretzels or small crunchy crackers. Just ensure they can withstand baking without falling apart.

How do I prevent the caramel from burning?

Cook the caramel over medium heat and stir constantly. Also, baking at a low temperature and stirring every 15 minutes helps avoid burning during cooking.

Delicious Caramel Crackers Recipe

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4.7 from 122 reviews

Caramel Crackers are a deliciously sweet and crunchy snack made by coating oyster crackers with a buttery caramel sauce infused with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. This easy-to-make treat is perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you crave a sweet and salty bite.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: About 8 cups of caramel crackers 1x
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Crackers

1 package (9 ounces) oyster crackers

Caramel Sauce

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
Melt Butter and Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter completely. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Continue to stir constantly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, allowing it to cook for about 3-4 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Coat the Crackers: Place the oyster crackers in a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot caramel sauce over the crackers and gently stir with a spatula to evenly coat all the crackers without breaking them.
Bake the Crackers: Spread the coated crackers evenly on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and prevent burning.
Cool and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the crackers cool completely on the sheet. The caramel will harden as it cools, creating a crispy, crackly coating on each cracker. Once cooled, break apart any clusters and store in an airtight container.

Notes

Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the snack.
Stir frequently while baking to prevent crackers from burning or sticking together.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week for best freshness.
Optional: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cayenne pepper to the caramel sauce for a spicy twist.

Keywords: caramel crackers, oyster crackers, sweet snack, party snack, caramel snack