Christmas Crack(ers)

December is not the time for cakes as there are too many other things going on, but that doesn't mean there isn't time for baking.  I grew up helping my mother bake all sorts of things, including 12 dozen cookies of one type for a Christmas cookie exchange with her girlfriends.  We would make these very time intensive sandwich cookies called cream wafers.  The dough was delicate, rolled into a sheet and cut into small circles which were baked and then filled with a cream cheese frosting.  I have made these cookies as an adult but honestly they are too fussy for this time of year or for any other time of year for that matter.  As part of the exchange, the recipe for your cookie was also shared.  The following recipe is one of the of the ones we would receive in exchange for our labor intensive effort. This is so easy it is ridiculous and so tasty you too will be addicted.  It has become my hands down go-to cookie for the holiday season and I think of my mom every time I make it, even though it was not OUR cookie recipe
.  Enjoy!

Christmas Crack(ers)

Ingredients:

Saltine crackers

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. butter (my childhood recipe specifically emphasizes butter, not margarine, as if!)

12 oz chocolate chips

1 c. toasted almond slivers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a jelly roll pan with foil.  Line saltine crackers on top of foil.  Melt the butter over low heat and add in brown sugar.  Stir until mixture reaches a full boil.  (Be sure to take your time with this step, if you rush your sugar won't completely dissolve before boiling and will leave you with a sugary caramel instead of a smooth one.)  Boil for three minutes.  Pour caramel over saltines and bake in oven for five minutes or until caramel is bubbly and completely covers all crackers.  Remove, sprinkle chips evenly over crackers and return to the oven for 1 minute.  Remove and sprinkle with almond slivers.  Smooth melted chocolate over crackers.  I often sprinkle the top with a flake salt, but this is not necessary.   Cool completely, peel foil off and break into squares.  Store in refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve or share.

This is a great cookie to keep on hand but for me I resolve to make it only during the holidays as it  holds special memories for me that I do not want to dilute by making it on a whim.