Peanut Butter Bits Cracker Candy is a sweet-and-salty treat made with crunchy Peanut Butter Ritz Bits covered in buttery brown sugar caramel and a thick layer of semisweet chocolate. Every broken piece has those little peanut butter sandwich crackers underneath, which makes this a little different from the usual cracker candy.
This is the kind of recipe I like when I need a big batch of something sweet without making individual cookies or candies. Everything is spread onto one baking sheet, baked briefly, covered with chocolate, and left to set.
Using Peanut Butter Ritz Bits makes every bite a little different from traditional cracker candy. Instead of a thin plain cracker underneath, you get crunchy little sandwich crackers with creamy peanut butter already inside.
The recipe is also surprisingly easy for something that looks like homemade candy. There’s no individual shaping or dipping, and everything is prepared on one baking sheet.
It’s especially useful around the holidays because you can break it into small or large pieces depending on how you’re serving it. Add it to a Christmas tray, pack it into treat boxes, or simply keep a container in the refrigerator for whenever you want a piece.
The Ritz Bits already bring plenty of peanut butter flavor and a little saltiness, so there’s a really good contrast with the brown sugar and chocolate. If you want even more crunch, chopped peanuts can go over the top, but they’re completely optional.
Give the finished candy plenty of time to become firm before breaking it apart. Once chilled, you get those rustic pieces with layers of chocolate, caramel, and crunchy peanut butter crackers showing along the edges.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need only a few ingredients:
- Peanut Butter Ritz Bits
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Semisweet chocolate chips
- Butter for the topping
- Chopped peanuts, optional
How To Make Peanut Butter Bits Cracker Candy
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure the parchment reaches toward the edges so the caramel doesn’t stick directly to the pan.
Step 2: Arrange the Peanut Butter Ritz Bits across the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Spread them all the way toward the edges, keeping the crackers fairly close together without worrying about creating perfectly straight rows.
Step 3: Add 1½ cups butter and the brown sugar to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring as the butter melts and the mixture becomes smooth.
Step 4: Bring the butter and brown sugar mixture to a steady boil. Let it bubble briefly, stirring carefully, until the sugar mixture looks smooth and slightly thickened.
Step 5: Carefully pour the hot caramel mixture over the Ritz Bits. Work fairly quickly and gently spread it across the crackers so the caramel reaches as much of the baking sheet as possible.
Step 6: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake until the caramel is bubbling across the surface and has settled around the peanut butter crackers.
Step 7: Remove the pan carefully from the oven and immediately scatter the semisweet chocolate chips evenly across the hot surface. Let them sit undisturbed for a few minutes so the heat underneath can soften them.
Step 8: Add the tablespoon of butter to the softened chocolate, then gently spread everything into a thick, even chocolate layer. Sprinkle chopped peanuts over the surface now if you’re using them.
Step 9: Let the candy cool at room temperature, then refrigerate until the chocolate and caramel layers are completely firm. Break the chilled slab into irregular pieces before serving.
Peanut Butter Bits Cracker Candy Variations
Dark Chocolate Cracker Candy
Replace the semisweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate for a deeper chocolate flavor and a slightly less-sweet finish.
Extra-Peanut Candy
Add roughly chopped roasted peanuts over the chocolate before it sets for more crunch.
Milk Chocolate Version
Use milk chocolate chips if you prefer a sweeter, creamier chocolate topping.
Salted Peanut Butter Candy
Add a very light sprinkle of flaky salt over the chocolate for a stronger sweet-and-salty contrast.
Mixed Chocolate Candy
Use a combination of semisweet and milk chocolate chips for a softer chocolate flavor without making the topping overly sweet.
Storing Peanut Butter Bits Cracker Candy
Once the candy is completely firm, transfer the broken pieces to an airtight container with parchment between the layers. I prefer keeping it refrigerated so the chocolate stays firm and the caramel maintains its texture.
Do I Need To Separate The Ritz Bits?
No. Keep the Peanut Butter Ritz Bits intact. The peanut butter filling between the little crackers is an important part of the finished candy.
Why Is My Caramel Grainy?
Make sure the butter and brown sugar have come together smoothly before pouring the mixture over the crackers. Keep the heat steady and avoid cooking the sugar mixture much longer than necessary.
Why Didn’t My Chocolate Melt?
The chocolate chips need to go onto the candy immediately after it comes from the oven. Let them sit on the hot caramel for several minutes before trying to spread them.
Do I Have To Add Peanuts?
Not at all. There’s already peanut flavor inside every Ritz Bit, so the chopped peanuts are simply an optional crunchy topping.
Can I Make This Ahead?
Yes. This is a great make-ahead treat. Prepare it a day or two before you need it and keep the pieces chilled in an airtight container.
Should I Cut Or Break The Candy?
I prefer breaking it. Irregular pieces give it that homemade cracker-candy look and expose the layers of peanut butter crackers, caramel, and chocolate along the edges.
It can also be frozen for longer storage. Place the pieces in a freezer-safe container, separate the layers with parchment, and let individual pieces sit for a few minutes before eating.
What To Serve With Peanut Butter Bits Cracker Candy
- Hot coffee: Coffee balances the rich chocolate, buttery caramel, and peanut butter especially well.
- Cold milk: A cold glass of milk is an easy choice with all that chocolate and peanut butter.
- Christmas cookies: Add the candy to a tray with sugar cookies, shortbread, ginger cookies, or other holiday favorites.
- Fresh berries: Strawberries or raspberries add something fresh and slightly tart next to the rich candy.
- Brownies and bars: Break the candy into smaller pieces and add it to a casual dessert platter with brownies or cookie bars.
- Holiday treat boxes: Irregular pieces are easy to tuck into treat boxes alongside homemade cookies and other candies.
Have the Ritz Bits arranged on the baking sheet before you start cooking the brown sugar mixture. Once the caramel is ready, you’ll want to pour it over the crackers without letting it sit in the saucepan.
And don’t rush the cooling time. Waiting until the chocolate and caramel are completely firm is what gives you those nice broken pieces with the crunchy peanut butter cracker layers clearly visible.
Peanut Butter Bits Cracker Candy
Ingredients
- 2 8.8-ounce boxes Peanut Butter Ritz Bits
- 1½ cups unsalted butter
- 1½ cups packed brown sugar
- 3½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter for the chocolate topping
- ¼ cup roughly chopped peanuts optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the Peanut Butter Ritz Bits in an even layer across the prepared baking sheet.
- Add 1½ cups butter and the brown sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Bring the mixture to a steady boil and cook briefly until bubbly and slightly thickened.
- Carefully pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over the Ritz Bits and gently spread it across the crackers.
- Bake until the caramel is bubbling across the surface.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips evenly over the hot candy.
- Let the chocolate chips soften for a few minutes, then add the remaining tablespoon of butter and spread the chocolate into an even layer.
- Sprinkle with chopped peanuts if desired.
- Cool completely, then refrigerate until firm.
- Break into irregular pieces and serve.
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