The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s time to start thinking about all the delicious treats that come with it. For those who follow a gluten-free diet, it can be tough to find tasty options to indulge in. But fear not, because we have the perfect solution: Gluten Free Christmas Crack! This sweet and salty snack is so addictive, you won’t be able to stop at just one piece.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup gluten-free pretzels, broken into small pieces
- 1 cup gluten-free rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup gluten-free corn Chex cereal
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 cup gluten-free sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the broken pretzels, rice Chex, and corn Chex.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the butter mixture over the pretzel and cereal mixture, stirring until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the mixture is golden brown and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top.
- Let the chocolate chips sit for a minute or two to melt, then use a spatula to spread them evenly over the top of the mixture.
- Sprinkle the gluten-free sprinkles over the top while the chocolate is still soft.
- Let the Christmas Crack cool completely before breaking it into pieces.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 360
Total Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 45mg
Sodium: 300mg
Total Carbohydrates: 45g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 31g
Protein: 2g
Cooking Time:
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Equipment:
Parchment paper
Large bowl
Saucepan
Baking sheet
Spatula
Serving Suggestions:
Gluten Free Christmas Crack is perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or just snacking on at home. Serve it alongside other sweet treats like cookies and fudge, or mix it with savory snacks like nuts and cheese for a holiday snack platter.
Variations:
You can customize this recipe to your liking by using different types of gluten-free cereal, like honey nut Chex or cinnamon Chex. You can also switch up the type of chocolate chips or sprinkles you use to make it even more festive.
Substitutions:
If you’re not a fan of pretzels, you can substitute them with gluten-free graham crackers or gluten-free animal crackers. You can also use dairy-free butter and dairy-free chocolate chips to make this recipe vegan.
Storage:
Store Gluten Free Christmas Crack in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure to use gluten-free ingredients if you have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Let the Christmas Crack cool completely before breaking it into pieces to prevent it from crumbling.
Notes:
This recipe yields about 8 cups of Gluten Free Christmas Crack.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can make Gluten Free Christmas Crack up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I use regular pretzels and cereal in this recipe?
Yes, you can use regular pretzels and cereal if you don’t need to follow a gluten-free diet.
Can I use white chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate?
Absolutely! White chocolate chips would be a delicious substitution.
Personal Thoughts:
Gluten Free Christmas Crack is one of my favorite holiday treats to make and share with friends and family. It’s so easy to make and always a hit with everyone who tries it. The combination of sweet and salty flavors, along with the crunch of the pretzels and cereal, is irresistible. I highly recommend giving this recipe a try this holiday season!