When my middle son was little, he used to love helping me make “Christmas Crack” every December. You know the one—saltine crackers topped with butter and sugar, baked until bubbly, then covered in chocolate. One year, right in the middle of a hot Texas summer, he said, “Mom, why can’t we make Christmas Crack but… make it taste like a churro?”
I laughed, but then I thought about it. Why not? That warm cinnamon-sugar magic of churros paired with buttery toffee sounded like trouble—in the best possible way.

That’s how Churro Saltine Toffee was born in my kitchen. It’s crispy, buttery, sweet, salty, and spiced—like a fairground churro met a candy shop and decided to stay forever.
What is Churro Saltine Toffee?
Churro Saltine Toffee is a quick, oven-baked candy made by layering saltine crackers with a rich butter-brown sugar toffee, topping it with cinnamon-sugar, and letting it cool into snappy, sweet shards. It’s similar to classic saltine toffee but skips the chocolate in favor of warm churro flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Churro Saltine Toffee
- Fast & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes.
- Budget-Friendly – Just a few pantry ingredients.
- Crowd-Pleasing – Sweet, salty, spiced—everyone grabs seconds.
- Perfect for Gifting – Package in bags or tins for friends.
- Addictive Texture – Crisp crackers with buttery toffee snap.
Tips for Making the Best Churro Saltine Toffee
- Use real butter—margarine doesn’t set the toffee as well.
- Let the butter and sugar boil together for at least 3 minutes to avoid grainy texture.
- Work quickly—once the toffee is ready, pour it evenly over crackers before it starts setting.
- Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar while the toffee is hot so it sticks perfectly.
How to Make Churro Saltine Toffee
Ingredients
For the toffee base:
- 40 saltine crackers (about 1 sleeve)
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
For the topping:
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Arrange crackers in a single layer, edge to edge, covering the whole pan.
- Make the toffee: In a medium saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar together over medium heat. Stir constantly until it starts to boil, then let it bubble for 3 minutes without stirring.
- Pour & spread the toffee evenly over the crackers. Use a spatula to make sure every cracker is coated.
- Bake for 5 minutes, until bubbly.
- Mix cinnamon-sugar: In a small bowl, combine white sugar and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar evenly over the hot toffee-covered crackers.
- Cool completely, then break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
You Must Know
- The cinnamon-sugar topping is the “churro” magic—don’t skip it!
- You can double the recipe for parties; just use a larger sheet pan.
- Works beautifully as a last-minute dessert for unexpected guests.
Top Tips for Perfecting Your Churro Saltine Toffee
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent the toffee from scorching.
- For a more caramel-like flavor, let the sugar-butter mixture boil for up to 4 minutes.
- Sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar right before it fully cools for a stronger churro taste.

Storing and Reheating Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.
- Refrigeration can make it lose some crispness, but it still tastes great.
- Freezes well for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Helpful Notes
- Gluten-free saltines make this treat safe for gluten-sensitive friends.
- You can drizzle white chocolate over the cooled toffee for a fancy touch.
- A pinch of sea salt on top before cooling gives a gourmet flavor twist.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Ina Garten says to always measure sugar by scooping and leveling for perfect toffee texture.
- Nigella Lawson recommends a quick final stir of the toffee right before pouring for even smoothness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not boiling the sugar long enough—leads to soft, sticky toffee.
- Using salted butter—can make the finished treat too salty.
- Pouring toffee too slowly—results in uneven coating and texture.
FAQs
What is Churro Saltine Toffee?
A crispy, buttery toffee treat made with saltine crackers and topped with cinnamon sugar, inspired by churros.
Why is it called Churro Saltine Toffee?
Because it has the sweet cinnamon-sugar flavor of a churro, layered over traditional saltine toffee.
Can I use a different type of cracker?
Yes, graham crackers, Ritz, or matzo work well.
How do I keep it from getting soggy?
Boil the toffee for at least 3 minutes and store it airtight at room temperature.
Does it need refrigeration?
No, but refrigeration can extend freshness slightly—just note it may lose some crispness.

Conclusion
Churro Saltine Toffee proves that the best treats are often the simplest. With pantry staples, less than half an hour, and a little cinnamon-sugar magic, you can whip up a sweet snack that disappears as fast as you set it down. Whether for holidays, movie nights, or just because—it’s one recipe worth keeping close.
Print
Churro Saltine Toffee
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 40 pieces 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Churro Saltine Toffee combines buttery toffee, crisp saltine crackers, and a cinnamon-sugar topping for a quick, irresistible treat. Ready in under 30 minutes with just a few pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 40 saltine crackers (about 1 sleeve)
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- Arrange saltine crackers in a single layer to cover the pan.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir until it begins to boil, then let bubble for 3 minutes without stirring.
- Pour hot toffee mixture evenly over crackers, spreading quickly with a spatula.
- Bake for 5 minutes until bubbly.
- Mix white sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
- Remove pan from oven and immediately sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over hot toffee.
- Let cool completely, then break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Notes
For a gourmet touch, drizzle white chocolate over cooled toffee. Store at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pieces
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 95
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 20
Keywords: Churro Saltine Toffee, cinnamon sugar toffee, saltine cracker toffee, easy toffee recipe
