Christmas Tree Crack is one of those over-the-top holiday treats that people try once… and immediately ask you for the recipe. If you love Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (and honestly, who doesn’t?), this dessert takes all that nostalgic flavor and turns it into the sweetest, saltiest, most addictive Christmas candy-style bark. The layers are everything — buttery toffee-soaked crackers, a fluffy cream cheese + marshmallow filling, and a smooth white chocolate topping decorated just like those iconic tree cakes. It looks festive, it tastes incredible, and it disappears faster than anything else on the table.
This is the kind of holiday recipe your kids want to help with, your guests rave about, and you end up making every single December because it’s just that easy and that irresistible. Perfect for cookie trays, gifting, parties, or whenever you need something super cute and super delicious with minimal effort. This Christmas tree crack recipe is a TikTok viral sensation! Get the flavors of a Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake in this crack candy recipe.
It looks like the iconic Little Debbie’s Christmas tree cakes that sell out almost instantly when they hit the shelves. There is something special about this Christmas Little Debbie crack recipe that might just become your new favorite candy snack.
If you love Little Debbies, you must try out a few more of my favorite recipes. Try my homemade Little Debbie tree cakes, cake truffles, or even my famous Little Debbie Christmas cheesecake.
What Is This Recipe Exactly?
Christmas Tree Crack is a fun, festive twist on classic “Christmas crack,” but instead of just chocolate and toffee, this version uses the flavors of the beloved Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes. It starts with salty crackers baked in a buttery brown sugar toffee, then layered with a fluffy cream cheese–marshmallow filling, topped with creamy white chocolate, and finished with the iconic red drizzle and green sprinkles. Once it hardens, you crack it apart into sweet, salty candy-like shards that taste like a Christmas tree cake meets toffee bark.
Why You Will Love This Christmas Tree Crack
- Sweet And Salty: With each bite of this Christmas tree crack, you will get the sweetness from the toffee-like filling and the marshmallow mixture. Then, salty from the crackers.
- Festive: This festive treat is easy to make and serve for gatherings, parties, or even snacks throughout the holidays.
- Great Gift: If you enjoy making homemade gifts for loved ones, try this recipe for a sweet treat that you can wrap up and tie with a ribbon and gift.
Here is my original Christmas crack recipe, or try this pecan crack version for a twist in flavors.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Crackers: Saltine crackers will be the base for this treat. Their texture holds up perfectly.
- Butter: Reach for unsalted butter to help create a caramel-like flavor that makes a crunchy toffee texture.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar works best, but you can use dark sugar for a richer molasses flavor.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Grab a can of cream cheese frosting to elevate the sweetness to a new level.
- Marshmallow Fluff: To get that Little Debbie’s flavor, the frosting and fluff work together to create the perfect flavor.
- White Chocolate: White chocolate is the perfect option for chocolate lovers. It is velvety smooth and ultra sweet.
- Coconut Oil: A little coconut oil helps thin the chocolate and allow it to set firmly.
- Icing and Sprinkles: For the iconic topping, you will sprinkle red cookie icing and green sanding sugar on top of the finished product.
Variations and Substitutes For Christmas Tree Crack Recipe
Base Layer: You can use graham crackers, pretzels, Ritz crackers, Club crackers, etc. I like saltines, but feel free to experiment.
Maple Syrup: You can use maple syrup to replace the brown sugar for a richer and sweeter flavor. Or swap in honey.
Vanilla Frosting: Vanilla frosting offers a lighter flavor, while cream cheese frosting offers a slightly richer flavor.
Toppings: From different holiday-themed sprinkles, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even chopped pretzels, you can change how you decorate the top of this candy crack.
Chocolate: Do you want to use milk or dark chocolate? Or maybe you want colored candy melts. Go right ahead and reach for any color or flavor of chocolate you would like.
Helpful Tip For Success
- Place your crackers in a single layer and allow the crackers to touch to create a nice base for the crack.
- Do not overbake; bake as directed and allow it to cool.
- You will mix the frosting and marshmallow fluff and spread them over the cooled crackers. If you don’t let it cool first, it will melt into the crackers.
- Let each layer cool and set up before you move on to the next layer.
- If you do not have a piping bag, you can place the red candy melts in a sandwich bag and cut off the tip. This will work for drizzling the chocolate onto the top.
- You can crack or cut the Christmas tree crack for serving up into broken pieces. Let guests grab and nibble on this sweet and salty treat.
Storing
You should store any cracks in the fridge for 5-7 days. For the best quality, keep them in a sealed container.
Feel free to make this a day before you want to serve it up. Just keep it stored in the fridge until serving it up.
Why This Recipe Works
- The saltine base gives the crack its signature salty crunch.
- Butter + brown sugar toffee melts into the crackers, creating a perfectly chewy, caramelized bottom.
- The cream cheese–marshmallow layer mimics the sweet, fluffy filling of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes.
- White chocolate topping hardens into that classic candy shell.
- Holiday decorations make it instantly recognizable and super festive.
It’s a no-fail recipe that looks impressive but requires almost zero baking skill — honestly one of the easiest holiday desserts to make.
FAQ Section
Why is it called “crack”?
It’s named after the way the candy-like bark cracks apart once it hardens. The salty-sweet crunch is also famously addictive — one bite and you’re hooked.
Do I have to use saltines?
Saltines work best because they balance the sweetness and soak up the toffee perfectly. You can use graham crackers, Ritz, or pretzels, but the texture changes.
Can I use store-brand white chocolate instead of baking chips?
Yes, but baking chips melt more smoothly. If yours seizes, add ½–1 teaspoon coconut oil.
Can I skip the cream cheese frosting layer?
You can, but then it becomes traditional Christmas crack instead of the Little Debbie version. That fluffy middle layer makes this recipe special.
Why did my toffee separate?
This usually happens if the heat is too high. Stir continuously and simmer gently for just a few minutes.
Can this be shipped for gifting?
Yes! This is an excellent holiday food gift — just keep it chilled before shipping and pack in layers.
Why is my topping streaky or swirling with the filling?
That’s normal if the filling wasn’t fully firm before adding the white chocolate. Chill longer next time.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes — use gluten-free crackers. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Budget Breakdown (Approximate Cost)
Based on average U.S. grocery prices in 2025.
- Saltine crackers (1 box): $1.50
- Butter (2 sticks): $1.25
- Brown sugar: $0.60
- Cream cheese frosting: $1.75
- Marshmallow fluff: $1.25
- White baking chips: $2.50
- Coconut oil: $0.30
- Cookie icing: $1.25
- Sprinkles: $0.50
Estimated Total Cost: $10.90
Cost per serving (16 pieces): ~$0.68 each
Perfect for feeding a crowd on a budget.
Troubleshooting Tips & Tricks
- Crackers floating? Press them gently into the toffee with a spatula.
- Toffee grainy? Heat slower and stir constantly.
- Chocolate too thick? Add ½ teaspoon coconut oil.
- Filling sliding around? Make sure the toffee layer is fully cooled before adding the frosting mixture.
- Chocolate melting the filling? Your white chocolate was too hot — let it cool slightly before pouring.
- Crack not cracking? Freeze for 20 minutes before breaking apart.
Lightened-Up / Lower-Calorie Version
- Use reduced-fat cream cheese frosting
- Swap marshmallow fluff for light whipped topping
- Use sugar-free white chocolate chips
- Replace some white chocolate with a thin drizzle instead of full coverage
- Use fewer crackers and cut into smaller pieces
Still sweet, still festive, but lighter.
Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Piece)
(Based on 16 servings)
- Calories: 285
- Fat: 17g
- Carbs: 32g
- Sugar: 27g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 145mg
My Personal Kitchen Notes (About the Recipe Itself)
This recipe is one of those “I didn’t expect it to be THIS good” desserts. My whole house knows when I’m making it because the smell of warm brown sugar and butter fills the kitchen. The layers look complicated, but honestly it all comes together so fast — and it sets beautifully in the fridge without babysitting. Cutting it into crack-style pieces makes it feel playful and Christmassy, and my kids always want to help drizzle the red icing lines. It’s one of those holiday recipes that instantly becomes a tradition.
How to Give Christmas Tree Crack as Holiday Gifts
Christmas Tree Crack makes some of the cutest (and easiest!) homemade gifts during the holidays. It travels well, looks festive without any extra effort, and has that sweet-and-salty flavor everyone is obsessed with. Here are a few simple ideas to package it beautifully:
• Holiday Treat Tins
Pick up inexpensive Christmas tins from Target, Walmart, or HomeGoods. Line them with parchment paper and stack the crack pieces in tight layers. Add a little tissue or crinkle paper to keep everything cushioned. Add a tag that says “Keep refrigerated for best texture!”
• Cellophane Bags With Ribbon
For quick neighbor gifts, tuck several pieces of crack into clear cellophane treat bags. Tie with red or gold ribbon and add a small ornament or candy cane for a little extra charm. These are perfect for teachers, delivery drivers, and friends.
• Christmas Cookie Boxes
Use bakery-style treat boxes and arrange the pieces like candy bark. Add other cookies or fudge if you’re making a mixed dessert box. Christmas Tree Crack adds such a cute, colorful element to any gift box.
• Mason Jar Gifts
Break the crack into smaller shards and stack them inside a wide-mouth mason jar. Add a red bow and a little “Sweet Christmas Wishes” tag. This looks adorable and keeps everything fresh.
• Freezer-Friendly Gifts
If you’re prepping ahead, this is one of the BEST desserts to freeze and gift later. Just store the pieces in a freezer-safe container, then transfer to your gift packaging when you’re ready to give them away.
• Shipping Gifts
Because this recipe sets firm, it ships really well. Pack the crack pieces between parchment layers inside a tin, then wrap the tin in bubble wrap. Your treat will arrive perfectly intact — and absolutely delicious.
Why It Works as a Gift:
It’s fun, nostalgic, and instantly recognizable thanks to the red drizzle and green sprinkles. And because the recipe makes a big batch, you can stretch one tray across several gifts without extra work.
My Final Thoughts
Christmas Tree Crack is the perfect blend of nostalgic, easy, and downright addictive. It delivers huge flavor with very little effort and looks adorable on holiday dessert tables. Whether you’re gifting treats, hosting a holiday party, or making something fun with your kids, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. Expect it to disappear fast — and expect people to beg you for the recipe.
More Holiday Recipes
Christmas Tree Crack
Ingredients
- 48 saltine crackers
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tub cream cheese frosting
- 1 cup marshmallow fluff
- 2 cups white baking chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Red cookie icing
- Green sanding sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Place your crackers in an even layer onto the baking sheet.
- Add the butter and brown sugar to a medium sized saucepan over medium heat and bring just to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly or until the mixture has thickened. Pour the mixture over the crackers and gently spread with a frosting knife or spatula.
- Bake the crackers for 5 minutes in the oven, then remove and allow to fully cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese frosting and marshmallow fluff until fully incorporated. Spread evenly over cooled crackers. (Note: you can warm the frosting for a few seconds in the microwave to help the filling spread more easily).
- Place crackers in the refrigerator to chill for one hour.
- Melt the baking chips in the microwave in 15-20 second intervals, stirring each time until smooth. Mix in the coconut oil until combined and pour over the chilled crackers. Use a spatula or frosting knife to spread evenly (some of the chocolate may mix slightly with the cream cheese filling). Sprinkle the top with the green sanding sugar.
- Return your tray to the refrigerator for 4-6 hours, or to the freezer for 2-3 hours to chill and harden.
- Remove crackers and “crack” or cut into smaller chunks. Use your cookie icing to drizzle lines across each chunk. Allow the icing to set before serving. Enjoy!
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Comments & Reviews
the grincher says
crack