Graham Cracker Toffee Bars with Craisins Recipe

These Graham Cracker Toffee Bars combine buttery toffee, melty chocolate, crunchy nuts, and chewy dried cranberries for a dessert that’s both nostalgic and irresistible. They make a generous batch—perfect for holiday treats, gifting, or enjoying with coffee.

Before Christmas, my husband and I received a small gift bag tied with a ribbon from friends at church. Inside was a homemade treat I’d never tasted before: rich, chocolatey, and studded with little crunchy bites. One bite and I was hooked. I asked for the recipe, they shared it, and after a bit of research I learned this is a spin on classic saltine-toffee (sometimes called “Christmas Crack”). This version replaces saltines with graham crackers for a deeper, caramelized flavor and adds chopped nuts and dried cranberries for texture and brightness.

Why You’ll Love These Graham Cracker Toffee Bars

• Easy to make – The ingredients are simple and the method is straightforward.
• Decadent and chocolatey – Layers of buttery toffee, graham crackers, and melted chocolate create a rich, satisfying treat.
• Perfect for gifting – They store well and make lovely homemade presents when wrapped in treat bags.
• Addictively delicious – These bars are dangerously moreish; you may want to share them to avoid finishing the whole pan yourself.

Ingredients

Below are the ingredients used to make this recipe. Quantities and full instructions are provided in the recipe card further down.

• 1 sleeve graham crackers (to cover an 11 x 16 inch pan)
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped salted almonds (or your preferred nut)
• 1 cup dried cranberries (craisens)
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet recommended, but use any kind you like)

Quick Overview of the Method

In short: line a pan with graham crackers, make a simple toffee by melting butter and brown sugar to a boil, pour it over the crackers, scatter nuts and dried cranberries, bake briefly until bubbly, add chocolate chips to melt, spread the chocolate, then chill until set. Work efficiently through the final steps so the chocolate is easy to spread while still soft.

Printable Recipe Card

Graham Cracker Toffee Bars with Almonds & Craisens

Yield: 40 pieces (approx.)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 22 minutes (including melting chocolate)

Additional Time: 1 hour chilling

Total Time: About 1 hour 27 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 sleeve graham crackers
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped salted almonds
• 1 cup craisens (dried cranberries)
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Line an 11 x 16-inch baking pan with parchment paper that extends up the sides. Arrange a single layer of graham crackers across the bottom so the surface is evenly covered.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. Stir constantly until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
4. Pour the hot toffee evenly over the graham crackers and spread gently with a spatula so all crackers get coated.
5. Sprinkle the craisens and 1 cup of the chopped almonds over the warm toffee layer.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the toffee is bubbling around the edges.
7. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips across the top. Return to the oven for 1–2 minutes or just until the chocolate begins to soften and melt.
8. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the softened chocolate into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup chopped almonds over the top.
9. Place the pan in the refrigerator or freezer until the bars are completely chilled and set. Once firm, break or cut into squares or irregular “bark” pieces.

Helpful Tips

• Reserve a little extra chopped nut to sprinkle over the warm chocolate for a pleasing finish.
• Let the toffee set fully before cutting or breaking—placing the pan briefly in the freezer speeds this up.
• Move quickly when spreading the chocolate: it melts fast and spreads most smoothly when still warm and soft.

Substitutions & Variations

• Swap almonds for pecans or walnuts for a different flavor and texture.
• Add raisins or mix different dried fruits with the craisens for added variety.
• Top the finished bars with colored sprinkles or a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt for a sweet-and-salty contrast.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. They also freeze well—wrap portions or stack with parchment between layers to prevent sticking.

Nutrition (approximate per serving)

Yield: 40 pieces. Serving size: 1 piece.

Calories: about 130; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 12mg; Sodium: 27mg; Carbohydrates: 13g; Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 11g; Protein: 1g.

Grandma Rita’s Kitchen Tip

If you’re preparing desserts for holidays or events, make-ahead is your friend. These bars freeze well in airtight containers, so you can bake them in advance and thaw as needed to avoid last-minute stress.

Other Desserts to Consider

• Peanut butter fudge bars are a crowd-pleasing option for potlucks.
• Lemon bars brighten up a dessert tray with tart, citrus flavor.
• Pecan bars made from cake mix are an easier take on classic pecan pie.
• Chocolate bars with rice cereal and caramel combine crunch and chew for a decadent treat.
• Cranberry lemon bars offer a tangy-sweet dessert reminiscent of bakery bars.