Awkward and Amazing Adventures: Crack...yes it's that addictive.

In this post, I will divulge the secrets to both being a popular host and ensuring invitations are extended to you again. The trick to succeeding in these things….bring Crack! What is Crack? No, not crack cocaine, but you should probably specify that in your recipe searches on Google so that the DEA doesn’t show up at your door asking about recent Claritin purchases. This special is recipe is called more formally “Christmas Crack” but its street name is Crack. Essentially it is called this because of its highly addictive nature and that it can be made from common household ingredients. Oh yeah, and you crack it before you eat it…but mostly the first two.

I learned of this amazing recipe from the kindergarten team where I work. I lovingly call it Kinder Crack…because in my opinion anyone who is teaching kinder is probably on crack…or should be.

You will need the following things,

-pot (cooking, in case that needs to be clarified), cookie sheet with edges, spatula, stove top, aluminum, cooking spray, other cooking accoutrements

-saltine crackers

-brown suga’ and butta’

-chocolate chips

-vanilla to taste

-sea salt, if you are feeling pretentious

-toppings (aka, whatever you have in the cupboard)

When cooking, I rarely measure things but for you type A personalities here it is (with picture support for you visual learners too):

Cover a cookie sheet in aluminum foil. Spray foil with Pam or some off-brand cooking spray. Spread a layer of saltine crackers on aluminum foil. The amount of space between the Saltines is up to you. I covered the whole thing but I suppose that it would be as good or better if there were nooks and crannies to fill up with goo. Put that off to the side carefully, otherwise you will be rearranging rows of crackers. Preheat oven to 400.

A mostly filled cookie sheet.

In a pot, melt 1 cup of butter. Once melted stir in ¾ cup of brown sugar. I used 1 cup but only because I couldn’t find the ¾ cup measure at the time. Bring to a boil. Boil for exactly 3 minutes, just kidding boil for as close to three minutes as you can. Take off heat and add about 1tsp of vanilla and a pinch of sea salt.

You know it will be good when there is this much butter involved.

Stirring, stirring, stirring.

Pour sugar goo over saltines. Use a spatula to spread out over all the crackers.

Thanks to my assistant, Catherine for taking this picture.

Stress level: High! It cools quick so spreading and giving artistic direction to Catherine was tricky.

Bake for about 5 minutes, or until the goo is bubbly and clear. If it is dark around the corners then it is getting burned. Take it out and let it sit for a few minutes to firm up. Spread chocolate chips over the caramelized sugar goo. You can spread them with a spatula or just leave them as little chunks of chocolatey goodness.

If you wanted to leave it like this you could.

Clearly I used my spatula to spread chocolate chips around.

Then I distributed mini-mallows and walnuts on the top. This is where your creativity can lead your cooking…or really whatever you have left over in the pantry. Some toppings might be: peppermint pieces, granola, coconut, any type of nut, various types of chocolate, sprinkles, red hots (I’m just getting started). You could also use different types of crackers; graham, animal crackers, pretzel crisps, ritz, or matzo! Just go wild!