Description
Maple Caramel Crack Bites are a delightful sweet and salty treat made by layering buttery crackers with a rich maple caramel sauce. These bite-sized snacks combine the crispiness of crackers with the gooey sweetness of maple-infused caramel, finished with a hint of cinnamon and optional flaky sea salt for a perfect balance of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Crackers
- 1 package (about 35–40) buttery rectangular crackers (like Club crackers)
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Topping
- Flaky sea salt, for finishing
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15-inch rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray it lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Crackers: Lay out the buttery rectangular crackers in a single layer on the foil-lined baking sheet, ensuring they cover the entire surface evenly.
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the packed light brown sugar and pure maple syrup continuously until the mixture starts to boil gently. Let it bubble for 3–4 minutes while stirring constantly to create a smooth caramel.
- Add Flavorings: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon, mixing well to incorporate all the flavors into the caramel.
- Pour Over Crackers: Carefully pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the arranged crackers. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the caramel so that all crackers are covered along the edges.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes until the caramel is bubbly and the crackers look set and slightly golden.
- Finish and Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. If desired, sprinkle flaky sea salt evenly over the top for a delicious salty contrast. Allow the caramel-covered crackers to cool completely on the baking sheet so the caramel can firm up.
- Serve and Store: Once the caramel is firm, cut or break the slab into bite-sized pieces. Store the treats in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Be careful when boiling the caramel as it is very hot and can burn quickly; stirring constantly helps prevent this.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with plant-based margarine and ensure brown sugar is vegan friendly.
- Flaky sea salt enhances the flavor but can be omitted if you prefer a sweeter bite.
- Store properly in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet to prevent any caramel from dripping into your oven.
