Caramel Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Caramel Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are a delightful combination of buttery crackers, creamy dulce de leche, and rich dark chocolate. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they offer a sweet and salty treat that’s easy to make and sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 60 round buttery crackers (such as Ritz®)
• 1 cup canned dulce de leche
• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate melting wafers
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Arrange half of the crackers, bottom sides up, on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Step 2: Spoon a rounded teaspoon of dulce de leche onto the center of each cracker.
3. Step 3: Top with the remaining crackers, placing them top sides up. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.
4. Step 4: In the top of a double boiler over medium heat, melt the dark chocolate chips and melting wafers together, stirring occasionally until smooth.
5. Step 5: Using a fork, dip each cracker sandwich into the melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
6. Step 6: Return the dipped sandwiches to the parchment-lined baking sheet. If desired, sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt.
7. Step 7: Chill the sandwiches for 15 minutes or until the chocolate is set.

Tips & Variations

• Use salted crackers to enhance the sweet and salty contrast.
• Swap dark chocolate for milk or white chocolate to suit your taste preferences.
• For extra crunch, add chopped nuts on top before the chocolate sets.
• If you don’t have a double boiler, melt chocolate gently in the microwave in short bursts, stirring often.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. Avoid freezing, as the chocolate coating may become dull or crack.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different caramel instead of dulce de leche?

Yes, you can substitute dulce de leche with a thick caramel sauce, but dulce de leche offers a richer, creamier texture that works best for this recipe.

How do I prevent the crackers from getting soggy?

Chilling the cracker sandwiches before dipping in chocolate helps keep them firm. Also, refrigerate the finished cookies promptly to maintain crunchiness.

Caramel Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies Recipe

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These Caramel Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are a festive and easy-to-make treat combining buttery crackers, sweet dulce de leche caramel, and rich dark chocolate. The crunchy texture paired with smooth melting chocolate and an optional sprinkle of flaky sea salt creates a perfect balance of sweet and salty ideal for holiday celebrations.

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 60 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crackers and Filling

• 60 round buttery crackers (such as Ritz®)
• 1 cup canned dulce de leche

Chocolate Coating

• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate melting wafers

Optional Topping

• Flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients to have everything on hand for the assembly and melting processes.
2. Assemble Cookie Sandwiches: Arrange half of the crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet with the bottom sides facing up. Place a rounded teaspoon of dulce de leche in the center of each cracker. Top each with another cracker, this time top side up, creating sandwich cookies.
3. Chill Sandwiches: Place the baking sheet with assembled sandwiches into the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up the caramel layer, which helps prevent melting during dipping.
4. Melt Chocolate: Set up a double boiler and melt the dark chocolate chips and dark chocolate melting wafers together over medium heat, stirring occasionally until smooth and fully combined.
5. Dip Cookies in Chocolate: Using a fork, dip each chilled cracker sandwich into the melted chocolate, fully coating it. Allow any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl to avoid clumps.
6. Set Cookies: Return the chocolate-coated sandwiches to the parchment-lined baking sheet. If desired, sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt while the chocolate is still wet to add a salty contrast to the sweet caramel and chocolate.
7. Chill to Harden: Place the baking sheet back into the refrigerator and chill the cookies for about 15 minutes or until the chocolate has completely set and hardened.
8. Storage: Store the cookies in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate firm and the caramel fresh until serving.

Notes

• Use dark chocolate for a richer flavor contrast with the dulce de leche.
• If you don’t have a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips and wafers gently in a microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between to prevent burning.
• For easier dipping, ensure the caramel sandwiches are well chilled, helping maintain their shape.
• Flaky sea salt enhances the cookies by balancing the sweetness but is optional if you prefer a sweeter cookie.
• Store cookies refrigerated and consume within 5 days for best freshness.

Keywords: caramel cookies, Ritz crackers, dulce de leche cookies, chocolate dipped cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas treats