Historical Romance Holiday Cookie Exchange Hop

December 7, 2025
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Welcome to the Historical Romance Holiday Cookie Exchange Hop. Visit all 30 authors, record their recipe, and enter the hop for a chance to win the Grand Prize $150 gift card. Each author also includes a giveaway. See mine below. Don’t forget to check the author list at the end to see where to “hop” next!

My giveaway is a free ebook available for the month of December at your favorite retailer.

CHRISTMAS CRACK

The term “Christmas crack” can refer to two very different things: the British Christmas cracker, invented by Tom Smith around 1847, and the American “Christmas crack” toffee dessert, which became popular in the 20th century.

One of the things that was often given as a gift was a little love token called a kiss. It wasn’t an actual kiss in the traditional sense of the gesture, but it was instead a little bit of twisted tissue paper that had a piece of candy inside, along with a little poem or verse. It was a French tradition that had spread to England, and it was also in the Victorian era that England improved on it immensely.

In addition to the little piece of candy and the love note, Tom Smith was inspired to make a bigger package that popped when someone pulled the halves apart. The idea supposedly came from a log that crackled away on the fire, and it wasn’t long after that some of the candy prizes were replaced by little gifts.

The British Christmas cracker originated when a confectioner was inspired to add a “crack” sound to his sweets, while the American toffee dessert got its name from its addictive sweetness and simplicity. It is typically made with a base of saltine crackers, covered in toffee, and then topped with chocolate and festive toppings like M&Ms or sprinkles.

You’ll need six ingredients for this stress-free recipe. Add any toppings you desire. Cracker toffee is also delicious plain but who doesn’t like fun toppings? This is a recipe that can be made dozens of way. Saltine crackers can be replaced with Ritz, club, pretzels, even graham crackers. After the brown sugar/toffee base is added, the toppings can include dark or milk chocolate, peanut butter/butterscotch/caramel chips, topped with chopped peanuts, pecans, walnuts, M&Ms, Reese’s candies, peppermint bark, coconut, white chocolate (or any sweet) drizzle. GET CREATIVE! Here’s the basic recipe:

Ingredients:

saltine crackers – about 1 sleeve, may need a few more or less depending on your jelly roll pan (I used 35). You can also use graham crackers, Club crackers, Ritz crackers, etc. Graham cracker toffee is DELISH!
unsalted butter – I like to control the salt in this recipe by using unsalted butter. If you don’t have it on hand, use salted but omit the salt in the recipe.
brown sugar – make sure it’s well packed!
vanilla extract – use the best quality you can afford, it does make a difference.
salt – Sea salt is preferred (omit if using salted butter). It helps to balance the sweetness and intensify the flavor of the toffee.
chocolate chips – I used milk chocolate but semi sweet also works. Use Guittard or Ghirardelli for best results.
toppings – Nuts, candy, sprinkles, etc. See below for more ideas!

Directions

Line a jelly roll pan or 11X13 baking sheet with nonstick foil, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat silicone baking mat.
Place the saltine crackers in a single layer.
Melt brown sugar and butter together and boil for 3 full minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
Pour caramel over the top of the saltines and spread evenly.
Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Caramel should be bubbling vigorously when removed.
Sprinkle chocolate chips (or melted bar chocolate) over the top and cover the pan with foil.
Use an offset spatula or knife to gently spread melted chocolate.
Sprinkle on toppings if desired.
Let toffee set up at room temperature until completely cooled, or chill in fridge for at least 2 hours. (Placing in the freezer could cause separation of layers.)
Peel foil from the bottom of the toffee and then use your hands to “crack” it or use a knife to cut into pieces.

Merry Christmas to my readers! Available for free at all major retailers.

A debutante’s rude awakening…
Lady Jennet Gordon has led a charmed life until her first Season. Rumors about her father’s finances circulate, followed by a tragic but suspicious accident, leaving Jenny and her mother a modest widow’s dowery to survive on with no immediate heir. Two years later, secluded on their Northumberland estate, a distant cousin is found to assume the title. Jenny fears that the heir—known in the shipping industry as the Hangman—will evict her and her mother from their home. Surely, he would not throw them out at Christmastide?

A driven man with a fierce reputation…
Barnabus Gordon is the grandson of a pirate and the son of a privateer. His grandfather, the younger son of a titled family, refused to accept the traditional careers offered him and took to the sea. When Barnabus’s father is killed early in the war, he vows to legitimize the family business. Using the cutthroat lessons learned in his childhood from two generations of rebellious Gordons, he buys out shipowners in financial distress and accrues his own fleet. When Barnabus learns he is the new Earl of Townsen, a title that is debt-ridden and comes with two penniless females.

A collision beneath the mistletoe…
The gruffly handsome Gordon is determined to settle the issue of his newly acquired English estate and return to the sea. Yet when he arrives at Brierdene Hall, he discovers two caring women and a forgotten longing for love and family. With both of them hiding their growing affection—and past secrets—Lady Jennet worries her feelings for Barnabus will appear too convenient. He fears moving forward because of their familial ties. Until the Town lady and seafaring brute find themselves sixes and sevens under a mistletoe. One kiss ignites a Yule log of passion and holiday magic that refuses to be extinguished.

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