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Saltine Churro Bites

Featured in Treats That Make Everything Better.

Turn plain crackers into a fun dessert. Start with a caramel layer, add white chocolate on top, and finish with cinnamon sugar for a churro-inspired treat.

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Clare Recipes
Updated on Sun, 16 Mar 2025 03:03:10 GMT
A stack of golden squares topped with sugar, showing a creamy filling peeking out. Pin it
A stack of golden squares topped with sugar, showing a creamy filling peeking out. | lilicooks.com

I discovered this Churro Saltine Toffee treat last holiday season and now everybody begs me to make it. The combination of butter-soaked crackers under a layer of chocolate with that special cinnamon sugar dusting just can't be beat. Everyone who tries it wants to know how I made it.

This Will Change Your Snack Game

The best thing about this toffee is how incredibly easy it is. You don't need any special tools - just a few common ingredients you've probably got in your pantry already. It takes barely any time but tastes like you slaved away for hours. It's my go-to when I need something sweet in a hurry for visitors or gifts.

Round Up These Items

  • Saltines: Enough to form a single layer in your baking dish for that perfect crunchy foundation.
  • Butter: A full two sticks to create that luscious caramel coating.
  • Brown Sugar: A cup transforms everything into that wonderful toffee flavor.
  • Chocolate Chips: Two cups total - don't skimp on quality here, it really matters.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Two teaspoons bring that unmistakable churro flavor everyone loves.
  • Sugar: Two tablespoons to blend with your cinnamon for that signature topping.
A stack of layered dessert bars dusted with powdered sugar sits on a small plate, with a blurred bowl of dessert and scattered treats in the background. Pin it
A stack of layered dessert bars dusted with powdered sugar sits on a small plate, with a blurred bowl of dessert and scattered treats in the background. | lilicooks.com

Time To Create Something Wonderful

Set The Stage
Cover your pan with foil or parchment and arrange those saltines in a single layer.
Whip Up The Toffee
Combine your butter with brown sugar and stir until bubbly, then let it do its thing for three minutes without touching.
Bathe Those Crackers
Pour that amber toffee mixture over your saltines, smooth it out fast, then bake at 375°F for just 4 minutes.
Add The Chocolate Layer
Scatter chocolate chips on top of the hot mixture, wait until they soften, then spread into an even coating.
Add Some Churro Flair
Stir together your cinnamon and sugar, then dust it generously across the melted chocolate.
Cool Your Jets
Let everything cool completely before breaking it into chunks - patience pays off here.

Storage Secrets

Store your toffee in something airtight and it'll stay tasty for up to two weeks. Want to save it longer? It freezes great for three months. And here's a fun trick - you can munch on it frozen right out of the freezer.

Insider Tricks

Always make sure your sugar completely melts before you start the boiling stage or you might end up with gritty toffee. Don't cut corners on the chocolate chips - better quality means better melting and flavor. Give it plenty of cooling time or you'll just have a sticky mess on your hands.

A stack of four layered desserts dusted with sugar sits on a white plate, surrounded by gold star decorations. Pin it
A stack of four layered desserts dusted with sugar sits on a white plate, surrounded by gold star decorations. | lilicooks.com

Share The Goodness

This toffee looks amazing packed in festive tins or transparent bags with pretty ribbons. It's become my trademark homemade present that everyone looks forward to getting, especially my children's teachers and the folks next door.

Sweet Meets Salty

There's something truly special about how the sugary toffee, rich chocolate and warm cinnamon sugar interact with those salty crackers. Every mouthful gives you that ideal balance of taste and texture that makes you reach for another piece.

The Beauty Of Simplicity

Unlike old-school toffee recipes, you won't need fancy equipment or candy-making experience. The saltine foundation makes it almost impossible to mess up, and that churro twist sets it apart from ordinary treats. I turn to this recipe whenever I want to impress without breaking a sweat.

Put Your Stamp On It

I like to switch things up sometimes with a drizzle of white chocolate or a handful of crushed pecans. A sprinkle of sea salt takes it up a notch. During Christmas time, I toss on some colorful sprinkles to make it extra festive.

A stack of golden, chewy dessert squares dusted with sugar on a light gray plate, with a blurred bowl of spread in the background. Pin it
A stack of golden, chewy dessert squares dusted with sugar on a light gray plate, with a blurred bowl of spread in the background. | lilicooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why didn’t my white chocolate melt nicely?

If the chocolate’s stubborn, slide it back into the warm oven for another minute to fully melt it.

→ Can I use dark chocolate instead?

Absolutely! Replace white chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate for a different but tasty twist.

→ What’s the best way to keep this snack fresh?

Use an airtight container to store it for up to a week at room temperature. If it’s hot, chill it in the fridge.

→ Why did my caramel look weird?

To avoid separating, boil the butter and sugar mixture for the full 3 minutes until it turns rich caramel brown.

→ Can I prep this ahead of time?

Definitely. Make it up to a week early. Store with wax paper between layers so they don’t stick together.

Saltine Churro Bites

Sweet toffee treats made with crackers, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and topped with smooth white chocolate. A churro twist on a classic snack.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Lily Chen

Category: Sweet Stuff

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (40 pieces)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 cups of white chocolate chips.
02 40 salted crackers (like saltines).
03 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ground.
04 1/4 cup of white sugar.
05 1 cup of butter, unsalted.
06 1 cup of packed brown sugar.

Instructions

Step 01

Turn the oven on to 400°F. Cover a baking tray with foil or parchment. Arrange the crackers across the tray without overlapping.

Step 02

Combine the cinnamon and granulated sugar in a tiny bowl. Put it aside for now.

Step 03

In a pot, warm up the butter with the brown sugar until it boils. Keep it at a boil for 3 minutes, stirring, until it changes to a richer caramel color. Spread it across the crackers evenly.

Step 04

Put it in the oven and bake for about 5 to 6 minutes. The caramel should bubble up.

Step 05

Right after taking the tray out, toss the chocolate chips across the hot caramel. In 5 minutes, they’ll soften enough to spread smoothly.

Step 06

Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar blend on top of the melted chocolate layer.

Step 07

Allow everything to cool. Stick it in the fridge for 10 minutes if you need the chocolate to harden quicker. Break into small chunks when ready to eat.

Notes

  1. If the chocolate doesn’t melt well, a quick reheating of the pan can help.
  2. Don’t break it apart until it’s completely cooled.
  3. Refrigeration speeds up how fast the chocolate sets.

Tools You'll Need

  • Flat baking pan.
  • Foil or parchment paper.
  • A medium saucepan.
  • Flexible spatula.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (white chocolate, butter).
  • Includes wheat (crackers).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 165
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 1 g