Saltine pudding or dessert bars

Saltine pudding or dessert bars recipe videos

Saltine pudding, often called 'Saltine Cracker Candy' or 'Christmas Crack,' is a simple, no-bake dessert bar made by layering saltine crackers with a cooked butter and brown sugar toffee, then topping it with melted chocolate and sometimes nuts. This treat is a staple of American holiday baking, particularly in the Midwest and South, where it's prized for its incredibly easy preparation and addictive sweet-and-salty flavor profile.

🍳 View the full Saltine pudding or dessert bars recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dessert is very high in carbohydrates and fat, with a relatively low protein content. A single bar typically provides around 150-200 calories, with the majority coming from sugar, butter, and chocolate, offering minimal vitamins or minerals beyond small amounts of iron from the chocolate.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	350 kcal
Protein	5 g
Carbs	45 g
Fat	17 g
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	28 g
Sodium	380 mg
Calcium	80 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	120 mg
Vitamin A	150 IU
Vitamin D	1 µg
Thiamin (B1)	0.2 mg
Folate	40 µg
Phosphorus	100 mg

Per 1 bar (approx. 85 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

The dish is a fascinating example of 'pantry cooking,' transforming humble, savory saltine crackers into a decadent confection through a simple caramelization process. Its unique appeal lies in the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures, making it a surprisingly sophisticated treat from very basic ingredients.