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Mardi Gras Cracker Candy: A Sweet and Crunchy Treat for Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras is all about vibrant colors, festive celebrations, and, of course, delicious treats! If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert that captures the spirit of the season, Mardi Gras Cracker Candy is a must-try. This simple yet addictive recipe features layers of buttery toffee, rich chocolate, and colorful sanding sugar in classic purple, green, and gold.

Mardi Gras Cracker Candy is a festive treat for Fat Tuesday, featuring crackers smothered in chocolate and brown sugar. It's crowned with shimmering purple, green, and gold sanding sugars, capturing the vibrant spirit of the celebration with just five simple ingredients.

Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving something sweet, this easy-to-make candy will bring the joy of New Orleans straight to your kitchen.

The History Behind Mardi Gras Cracker Candy

While cracker candy, also known as “Christmas Crack,” has been a holiday staple for years, this Mardi Gras-inspired version gives it a vibrant twist. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is rooted in centuries-old traditions from France, and its celebrations made their way to New Orleans in the early 1700s.

Classic Mardi Gras desserts often include King Cake, pralines, and beignets, but this cracker candy offers a simpler way to enjoy a festive, colorful treat without the hassle of baking.

Why You’ll Love This Mardi Gras Cracker Candy

  • Super Easy to Make – No candy thermometer or fancy techniques needed!
  • Crunchy, Buttery, and Chocolaty – A perfect balance of textures and flavors.
  • Great for Mardi Gras Celebrations – The vibrant sanding sugars make this a festive treat.
  • Perfect Make-Ahead Dessert – Store in an airtight container for a convenient, ready-to-go snack.
  • Customizable – Switch up the chocolate, crackers, or toppings to make it your own.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this irresistible Mardi Gras Cracker Candy, you only need a handful of ingredients:

  • butter
  • dark brown sugar
  • saltine crackers
  • Ghirardelli’s Premium Baking 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate Chips
  • Ghirardelli’s White Chocolate Chips
  • Purple sanding sugar
  • Green sanding sugar
  • Gold sanding sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Lay the saltine crackers in a single layer, covering the entire sheet.

Step 2: Make the Toffee

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and dark brown sugar over medium heat, whisking often. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, turns a deep golden brown, and becomes bubbly (about 3–4 minutes). This caramel-like layer will create the perfect sweet crunch.

Step 3: Coat the Crackers

Pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the crackers, using a heat-proof spatula to spread it out.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven for 5 minutes to let the toffee set.

Step 4: Add the Chocolate

Mardi Gras Cracker Candy topped with caramel sauce and scattered white chocolate chips make the perfect treat for Fat Tuesday celebrations. This Mardi Gras Cracker Candy is a delightful addition to any festive table, bringing a touch of sweetness to the party.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately sprinkle dark chocolate chips and white chocolate chips over the toffee.

A tray of Mardi Gras Cracker Candy squares adorned with dark and white chocolate chips.

Return the tray to the oven for 2 minutes to allow the chocolate to soften.

Step 5: Spread and Decorate

A sheet pan of rich brownies, reminiscent of Mardi Gras Cracker Candy, is adorned with diagonal stripes of green, purple, and gold sugar sprinkles—perfect for a festive Fat Tuesday treat.

Take the tray out of the oven and use a heat-proof spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly. Then, sprinkle the purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in stripes across the surface for a festive touch.

Step 6: Chill and Break Into Pieces

Transfer the tray to the freezer for 20 minutes (or the refrigerator for a longer chill time). Once fully set, break the candy into irregular pieces and serve!

Colorful Mardi Gras Cracker Candy with purple, green, and gold sugar crystals on white chocolate, all wrapped in parchment paper.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Mardi Gras Cracker Candy

  • Use High-Quality Chocolate – Ghirardelli’s baking chocolate melts smoothly and tastes rich.
  • Don’t Overcook the Toffee – Once it’s thick and bubbly, remove it from the heat to avoid burning.
  • Let It Cool Completely – This ensures the perfect snap when breaking the candy.
  • Try Different Crackers – Swap saltines for graham crackers or Ritz for a unique twist.
  • Add Nuts or Sprinkles – Chopped pecans or edible glitter can add extra flair.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Swap the Chocolate – Use milk or semi-sweet chocolate instead of dark for a sweeter taste.
  • Try a Different Base – Graham crackers create a slightly softer texture, while Ritz crackers add a buttery touch.
  • Use Caramel Instead of Toffee – Melt soft caramels with cream for a caramel layer.
  • Make It Dairy-Free – Use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate for an allergy-friendly treat.
A tin filled with vibrant King Cake bark, adorned with purple, green, and gold sugar crystals on a wooden surface, perfect for Fat Tuesday celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store Mardi Gras Cracker Candy?

Once completely set, store the candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for two weeks.

Can I freeze Mardi Gras Cracker Candy?

Yes! Place the broken candy pieces in a zip-top bag or airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

What does the sanding sugar do?

The purple, green, and gold sanding sugar is purely for decoration, adding a festive Mardi Gras touch. If you don’t have sanding sugar, you can use colored sprinkles.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! Mardi Gras Cracker Candy is perfect for making ahead since it stores well and tastes just as good (if not better) after a day or two.

Purple and gold sugar-covered pieces of chocolate bark, reminiscent of Mardi Gras Cracker Candy, arranged in a white paper-lined container.

More Mardi Gras-Inspired Treats to Try

Looking for more festive desserts to celebrate Fat Tuesday? Here are a few delicious ideas:

  • King Cake Cinnamon Rolls – A shortcut version of the classic New Orleans cake.
  • Mardi Gras Cupcakes – Decorated in purple, green, and gold for a sweet party treat.
  • Beignets – The ultimate New Orleans-style fried dough covered in powdered sugar.
  • Pralines – A Southern classic with a creamy, nutty flavor.

Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Mardi Gras Cracker Candy

This Mardi Gras Cracker Candy is the perfect balance of crunchy, sweet, and chocolaty goodness, making it a must-have treat for any celebration.

Whether you’re throwing a party or just treating yourself, this easy-to-make candy is a guaranteed hit.

So grab your ingredients, get in the Mardi Gras spirit, and whip up a batch today!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)

Mardi Gras Cracker Candy

Mardi Gras Cracker Candy

A metal container tipped over, spilling out Mardi Gras Cracker Candy, with pieces of bark-like treats coated in purple, green, and gold sugar crystals onto white paper—perfect for a sweet Fat Tuesday celebration.
Mardi Gras is all about vibrant colors, festive celebrations, and, of course, delicious treats! If you're looking for a quick and easy dessert that captures the spirit of the season, Mardi Gras Cracker Candy is a must-try. This simple yet addictive recipe features layers of buttery toffee, rich chocolate, and colorful sanding sugar in classic purple, green, and gold.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 48 saltine crackers
  • 10 oz. Ghirardelli's Premium Baking 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate Chips
  • 10 oz. Ghirardelli's White Chocolate Chips
  • Purple sanding sugar
  • Green sanding sugar
  • Gold sanding sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Lay crackers out onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Cover the entire sheet with crackers.
  3. In a medium sauce pan, add in butter and brown sugar. Cook on medium heat. Whisking often until it thickens and becomes like a dark syrup and bubbly.
  4. Pour mixture over the crackers. Spread it out with a heat proof spatula. Place in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven.
  5. Immediately add chocolate and white chocolate and place back in the oven for 2 minutes. Remove and spread chocolate with heat proof spatula.
  6. Sprinkle the green, purple, and gold sanding sugar over the top in lines. Place in the freeze for about 20 minutes. You can also cool in the fridge at a long time.
  7. Break into pieces and serve. Store in airtight container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 157mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 0gSugar: 19gProtein: 2g

Nutritional information is automatically calculated with ingredients and serving size and may not be accurate. Please always double check with your own nutritional apps as well.

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