Description of this recipe
These No-Bake Christmas Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers are a simple, festive, and utterly delicious treat that requires minimal effort and no oven time. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or a quick sweet fix, these crackers combine the salty crunch of Ritz crackers with creamy peanut butter and a smooth, sweet almond bark coating. Decorated with colorful sprinkles and festive drizzles, they’re a delightful treat for all ages.
Why you will love this recipe
- Effortless Elegance: With no baking required, these crackers are incredibly easy to make, perfect for busy holiday schedules or when you need a last-minute dessert.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of salty, sweet, and nutty flavors is irresistible. The Ritz crackers provide a satisfying crunch, the peanut butter adds a creamy richness, and the almond bark coating delivers a smooth, sweet finish.
- Customizable Decoration: Get creative with your decorations! Use different colors of almond bark, various types of sprinkles, or even add chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: These crackers are a great activity to do with kids. They’ll love helping spread the peanut butter, dip the crackers in almond bark, and decorate them with sprinkles.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: These crackers can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container, making them perfect for holiday planning.
Ingredients:
- 48 Ritz crackers
- Creamy peanut butter, as needed
- 24 ounces almond bark
- Sprinkles, as needed
- Green and red food coloring, as needed
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the crackers from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Lay half of the Ritz crackers out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they have enough space around them for easy handling.
Step 2: Peanut Butter Layer: Spread about 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of creamy peanut butter on each cracker. Make sure to keep the peanut butter away from the edges to prevent it from oozing out when you sandwich the crackers together. The amount of peanut butter can be adjusted to your preference, but be careful not to overfill them, as this can make the crackers slippery and difficult to handle.
Step 3: Sandwich the Crackers: Top each peanut butter-covered cracker with a remaining cracker, pressing down gently to create a sandwich. Apply slight pressure to ensure the tops stay in place and the peanut butter adheres to both crackers. Be careful not to press too hard, as this can cause the crackers to break.
Step 4: Chill the Crackers: Place the assembled crackers in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step helps the peanut butter firm up, which will make the crackers easier to dip in the melted almond bark without falling apart. It also allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste.
Step 5: Melt the Almond Bark: In a tall (preferably glass) microwave-safe container, melt the almond bark according to the instructions on the package. Melting the almond bark in a tall container makes it easier to dip the crackers fully. Be sure to stir the almond bark frequently while melting to prevent it from burning. If the almond bark becomes too thick, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil or shortening to thin it out.
Step 6: Dip the Crackers: Using a fork, fully dip each “cookie” in the melted almond bark, ensuring it’s completely coated. Lift the cracker out of the almond bark and let the excess drip off before placing it back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently tap the fork against the side of the container to encourage excess almond bark to drip off.
Step 7: Decorate with Sprinkles: If using just sprinkles, add them immediately after dipping the crackers in the almond bark. The almond bark sets up quickly, so you’ll need to add the sprinkles before it hardens. Sprinkle generously for a festive look.
Step 8: Color the Remaining Almond Bark: Take the remaining almond bark and separate it into two small bowls. Add green food coloring to one bowl and red food coloring to the other, stirring until each color is evenly distributed. Place each colored almond bark into a piping bag and cut a tiny hole at the tip.
Step 9: Decorate with Colored Drizzles: Once the dipped crackers are fully set, use the piping bags to drizzle the green and red colored almond bark over the crackers in decorative patterns. Create Christmas tree shapes, bows, or simple drizzles for a festive touch.
Step 10: Final Touches: Decorate the drizzled crackers with additional sprinkles for extra flair. Use a variety of colors and shapes to create a visually appealing treat.
Step 11: Set and Serve: Allow the decorated crackers to rest on the counter for about 10 minutes, or place them in the refrigerator for about 6 minutes to allow the almond bark to fully set. Once the almond bark is firm, the crackers are ready to serve and enjoy!
COOKING Rating:
- Ease of Preparation: 5/5 (Very Easy)
- Taste: 5/5 (Delicious)
- Festiveness: 5/5 (Very Festive)
- Kid-Friendliness: 5/5 (Great for Kids)
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve these crackers as part of a holiday dessert platter alongside other festive treats like sugar cookies, gingerbread men, and peppermint bark.
- Package them in decorative tins or bags as homemade gifts for friends, family, and neighbors.
- Serve them with a glass of milk or hot cocoa for a cozy holiday snack.
- Add them to lunchboxes for a fun and festive surprise.
- Bring them to holiday potlucks or cookie exchanges to share with others.
Tips:
- Use high-quality almond bark for the best flavor and texture.
- If you don’t have almond bark, you can use white chocolate chips or melting wafers instead.
- To prevent the peanut butter from sticking to the roof of your mouth, use a smooth, creamy peanut butter instead of a natural or chunky variety.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of sea salt to the peanut butter before spreading it on the crackers.
- If you want to make these crackers even more festive, use Christmas-themed sprinkles in a variety of colors and shapes.
- Store the crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- If the almond bark starts to harden while you’re dipping the crackers, simply microwave it for a few seconds to melt it again.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative with your decorations! Use your imagination to create unique and festive designs.
- If you’re making these crackers with kids, let them help with spreading the peanut butter, dipping the crackers, and adding the sprinkles.
- These crackers are a great way to use up leftover holiday sprinkles.
Prep Time:
- 15 minutes
Cook Time:
- 0 minutes
Total Time:
- 30 minutes (including chilling time)
Nutritional Information: (per cracker)
- Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and amounts used.
Calories:
- Approximately 120
Protein:
- Approximately 2 grams
Sodium:
- Approximately 50 milligrams
Conclusion
These No-Bake Christmas Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers are a delightful addition to any holiday celebration. Their ease of preparation, combined with their delicious flavor and festive appearance, makes them a perfect treat for all ages. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert, a fun activity to do with kids, or a homemade gift for friends and family, these crackers are sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients, get creative with your decorations, and enjoy the sweet and salty goodness of these festive treats! Happy Holidays!
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I use a different type of nut butter instead of peanut butter?
A: Absolutely! If you have a peanut allergy or simply prefer a different flavor, you can easily substitute the peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter. Just make sure the nut butter is creamy and smooth for the best results.
Q2: What if I don’t have almond bark? Can I use something else?
A: Yes, you can definitely use an alternative to almond bark. White chocolate chips or melting wafers are great substitutes. Just melt them according to the package instructions, being careful not to overheat them. You can also use a combination of white chocolate and a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening to achieve a smooth, dippable consistency.
Q3: How do I prevent the almond bark from hardening too quickly while I’m dipping the crackers?
A: To keep the almond bark from hardening too quickly, you can place the bowl of melted almond bark over a double boiler or in a warm water bath. This will help maintain a consistent temperature and prevent the almond bark from solidifying. Alternatively, you can microwave the almond bark in short intervals (10-15 seconds) and stir frequently to keep it melted.
Q4: Can I make these crackers ahead of time? How should I store them?
A: Yes, these crackers can be made ahead of time and stored for several days. To store them, place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Storing them in the refrigerator will help the almond bark stay firm, especially if you live in a warm climate.
Q5: What other decorations can I use besides sprinkles and colored drizzles?
A: The possibilities for decorating these crackers are endless! You can use chopped nuts (such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds), mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, shredded coconut, or even edible glitter. Get creative and have fun experimenting with different combinations to create unique and festive designs. You could even try piping different colors of melted chocolate or adding small candies like M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces.
