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Caramel Peanut Ritz Cracker Treats

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These Caramel Peanut Ritz Cracker Treats are a quick and easy sweet-and-salty snack featuring buttery Ritz crackers, creamy caramel, crunchy peanuts, and a chocolate drizzle. Perfect for parties, gifting, or a comforting treat at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 48 Ritz crackers
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
  • Sea salt flakes (optional, for sprinkling)
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange Ritz crackers in a single layer, close together but not overlapping.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbling, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Reduce heat to low and stir in sweetened condensed milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until caramel thickens and pulls away from the sides, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat if it gets too thick or grainy.
  4. Take pan off heat and stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Quickly pour hot caramel over crackers and spread evenly with a spatula or spoon.
  6. Sprinkle chopped peanuts evenly over caramel and press lightly so they stick.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until caramel bubbles gently around the edges.
  8. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes. If adding chocolate drizzle, wait until treats are just barely warm.
  9. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl (30-second intervals, stirring until smooth). Drizzle melted chocolate over cooled treats and sprinkle with sea salt flakes if desired.
  10. Once fully cooled (about 1 hour), lift treats out by the parchment paper and cut into squares or bars with a sharp knife. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

For nut-free treats, swap peanuts for sunflower seeds or pretzel pieces. Use gluten-free round crackers for a gluten-free version. Pre-bake crackers for extra crispness. Caramel can burn quickly—stir constantly and watch closely. Treats freeze well; layer with parchment and thaw before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel, peanut, ritz cracker, sweet and salty, easy snack, party treat, dessert bar, chocolate drizzle, holiday candy, potluck

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/caramel-peanut-ritz-cracker-treats-easy-sweet-and-salty-snack-recipe/