Looking for a Christmas cookie recipe that’s both incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to make? Look no further! These Caramel-Almond Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are a delightful combination of buttery, salty, and sweet flavors, with a satisfyingly soft texture. They’re perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, festive gatherings, or simply enjoying with a cozy cup of cocoa. The best part? They require minimal ingredients and effort, making them a fantastic choice for bakers of all skill levels. These cookies are a delightful twist on classic Ritz cracker desserts, elevated with a luscious salted caramel drizzle and crunchy toasted almonds. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these irresistible treats!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 200g (7oz) Ritz Crackers, Crushed (about 15 crackers): We’re using Ritz crackers as the base for these cookies, providing a delightful buttery and slightly salty foundation. Crushing them creates a tender crumb in the cookie. Aim for a mix of fine crumbs and slightly larger pieces for added texture.
- 115g (1/2 cup) Unsalted Butter, Melted: Melted unsalted butter adds richness and moisture to the cookie dough, helping to bind the ingredients together. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the cookies.
- 100g (1/2 cup) Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp edge on the cookies. It also contributes to the overall texture.
- 1 Large Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together and adding richness to the dough. It also contributes to the cookies’ soft texture.
- 1 tsp (5ml) Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies, adding a warm and aromatic note. Be sure to use alcohol-free vanilla extract for a family-friendly treat.
- 150g (1 ¼ cup) All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure to the cookies. It’s important not to overmix the dough once the flour is added to prevent tough cookies.
- ½ tsp Baking Soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise slightly, resulting in a softer texture.
- ¼ tsp Salt: Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the cookies.
- 100g (½ cup) Packed Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a molasses-like flavor and contributes to the cookies’ chewy texture. Packing the brown sugar ensures accurate measurement.
- 60g (¼ cup) Unsalted Butter: Used in the caramel sauce, this butter provides richness and a smooth texture.
- 60ml (¼ cup) Heavy Cream (or Coconut Cream): Heavy cream creates a luscious and creamy caramel sauce. For a dairy-free option, coconut cream can be substituted, though it will impart a slight coconut flavor.
- ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm and festive spice to the caramel sauce, complementing the other flavors.
- ½ tsp Sea Salt, plus extra for garnish: Sea salt enhances the sweetness of the caramel and provides a delightful contrast of flavors. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top adds a beautiful finishing touch.
- 30g (¼ cup) Toasted Almond Slivers, plus extra for garnish: Toasted almond slivers add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to both the caramel sauce and as a garnish. Toasting the almonds enhances their flavor and texture.
Ingredient Substitutions
While this recipe is designed to be straightforward, here are a few substitutions you can make if needed:
- Ritz Crackers: You can experiment with other buttery crackers, but Ritz provide a unique flavor.
- Heavy Cream: As mentioned above, coconut cream is a great dairy-free alternative.
- Almond Slivers: Pecan pieces or chopped walnuts can be used in place of almonds.
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F). This ensures even baking. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Crush the Ritz Crackers: Place the Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Use a rolling pin to crush the crackers. Don’t aim for a completely fine powder; some texture is desirable for a more interesting bite. You want a mix of fine crumbs and small pieces.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and slightly glossy. This step is crucial for creating a light and airy cookie base.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients. Sifting ensures that there are no lumps and that the ingredients are evenly distributed. Gently stir just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies. The dough will be slightly sticky, which is perfectly normal.
- Fold in the Cracker Crumbs: Gently fold the crushed Ritz cracker crumbs into the batter. Folding ensures that the crumbs are evenly distributed without deflating the batter.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 5 cm (2 inches) apart. Gently flatten each ball with the back of a spoon. This creates a uniform shape and helps the cookies bake evenly.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as ovens vary. Once baked, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking.
- Prepare the Salted Caramel: While the cookies cool, make the salted caramel drizzle. In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until fully dissolved. This creates the base for a rich and flavorful caramel.
- Simmer and Season: Add the heavy cream and cinnamon to the melted butter and sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly. This thickens the caramel and infuses it with cinnamon flavor. Remove from heat and whisk in ½ tsp of sea salt.
- Add Almonds to Caramel: Stir 30g of toasted almond slivers into the warm caramel. The almonds add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Drizzle and Garnish: Using a spoon, drizzle the caramel over each cooled cookie in a zig-zag pattern. Sprinkle with extra toasted almond slivers and a light pinch of flaky sea salt. The sea salt enhances the sweetness of the caramel and provides a lovely contrast.
- Set and Serve: Allow the caramel to set for about 10 minutes before arranging the cookies on a serving platter.
Tips for the Perfect Ritz Cracker Cookie
Achieving the perfect texture and flavor in these cookies is all about attention to detail. Don’t overmix the dough, as this will develop the gluten and result in tough cookies. Using high-quality ingredients, especially the butter and vanilla extract, will also make a noticeable difference. And don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of nuts in the caramel drizzle!
Storing Your Caramel-Almond Ritz Cookies
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The caramel drizzle may soften slightly over time, but the cookies will still be delicious. For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies (without the caramel drizzle) for up to 2 months.
The Science Behind the Ritz Cracker Cookie
The magic of these cookies lies in the combination of textures and flavors. The Ritz crackers provide a buttery, salty base that complements the sweetness of the caramel and the crunch of the almonds. The baking soda helps to create a light and airy texture, while the egg binds the ingredients together. The caramel sauce, made with butter, sugar, and cream, undergoes a Maillard reaction during cooking, creating a complex and delicious flavor.
Variations and Additions
Feel free to get creative with these cookies! You can add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for a warmer spice flavor. You could also substitute the almond slivers with chopped pecans or walnuts. For a chocolatey twist, drizzle the cookies with melted dark chocolate after the caramel has set. A sprinkle of festive sprinkles would also make them extra special for the holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cracker?
While Ritz crackers are traditional, you can experiment with other buttery crackers. However, the flavor and texture may vary.
Can I make the caramel ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the caramel up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently before drizzling.
How do I prevent the caramel from running off the cookies?
Make sure the cookies are completely cool before drizzling with caramel. Also, don’t use too much caramel, as this can cause it to run off.
These Caramel-Almond Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are a delightful treat that’s sure to impress! Don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for later and share it with your friends and family. Happy baking!
Print
caramel ritz cracker christmas cookies easy holiday treats
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: General
Description
These Caramel-Almond Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are a delightful and easy-to-make combination of buttery, salty, and sweet flavors. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings or enjoying with cocoa.
Ingredients
- 200g (7oz) Ritz Crackers, Crushed (about 15 crackers)
- 115g (1/2 cup) Unsalted Butter, Melted
- 100g (1/2 cup) Granulated Sugar
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 tsp (5ml) Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract
- 150g (1 ¼ cup) All-Purpose Flour
- ½ tsp Baking Soda
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 100g (½ cup) Packed Brown Sugar
- 60g (¼ cup) Unsalted Butter
- 60ml (¼ cup) Heavy Cream (or Coconut Cream)
- ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Sea Salt, plus extra for garnish
- 30g (¼ cup) Toasted Almond Slivers, plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Crush Crackers: Crush Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin, leaving some texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Whisk melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
- Fold in Crumbs: Fold in crushed Ritz crackers.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto baking sheets and flatten.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
- Prepare Caramel: Melt butter and brown sugar, stirring until dissolved.
- Simmer and Season: Add cream and cinnamon, simmer for 1 minute, then stir in salt.
- Add Almonds: Stir in toasted almond slivers.
- Drizzle and Garnish: Drizzle caramel over cooled cookies and sprinkle with almonds and sea salt.
- Set and Serve: Let caramel set before serving.
Notes
For a dairy-free option, substitute coconut cream for heavy cream. Toasting almonds enhances their flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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