Sometimes you Gotta Cheat

Probably most of you have heard of that weird recipe out there for candy you make with Saltine crackers, right? Sounds strange - but wait . . . let me tell you how incredibly addicting and delicous it is. It is nothing like eating a cracker. It is more like a little bit of toffee heaven in your mouth - it's easier to make and it MUST have less calories!

It's dangerous how easy it is to whip up a batch. Before long you find yourself standing at the counter, eating piece after piece, straight out of the Tupperware that has the hardest lid to get off, which is meant to confine those little candies and keep my hands off! Was that just a confession? . . . Watch out hips.

Cheater's Toffee

Saltine crackers
1 1/4 C brown sugar
1 1/4 C butter
12 oz. package milk chocolate chips (or whatever ya like)
chopped pecans

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet that has sides(about 13x18")with tin foil, over the edges, and spray lightly with cooking spray. Cover the cookie sheet with Saltines, close together. In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter and add the brown sugar. Bring to a boil and let cook without stirring for 3 minutes. Pour mixture over the crackers and spread to cover. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the toffee/crackers. Let sit for several minutes while the toffee hardens and the chocolate melts. Spread the chocolate evenly over the toffee and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Cool slightly and put in the refrigerator to chill. When it has hardened, break into pieces and store in an airtight, sneak proof, impenetrable, container in the freezer.



Notes: Don't worry about cramming the crackers in, you will have about an inch or so that is not covered with crackers and it's fine. Also, the original recipe called for 1 C brown sugar and 1 C butter but I thought we could use a little more toffee so I increased both to 1 1/4 cups. And sometimes I have difficulties getting brown sugar and butter to blend well when I heat them together on the stove. Melting the butter first helps I think and also heating everything relatively slowly. I've seen this recipe done with chocolate and peanut butter chips on top, without the nuts but I just can't imagine it without those tasty pecans. Good luck!