Picture this: a single Ritz cracker—golden, flaky, impossibly buttery—topped with a dollop of homemade caramel, studded with toasted peanuts, and cooled to a chewy-creamy perfection. It’s the ultimate sweet-and-salty paradox: the cracker’s delicate crispness gives way to a rich, deeply caramelized topping that’s gooey without being sticky, nutty without overwhelming, and complex without effort. Inspired by classic caramel shortbread but reinvented with pantry simplicity, these treats require no candy thermometer, no oven, and no patience beyond a 15-minute simmer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It transforms humble crackers into elegant, giftable confections—ideal for last-minute hosting, holiday tins, or solo indulgence. The caramel is made from scratch (no jarred sauce!), using sweetened condensed milk for foolproof richness, while the Ritz adds that irreplaceable buttery crunch. Best of all? They set at room temperature—no baking, no fuss.
Perfect for:
Potluck contributions, teacher appreciation gifts, holiday cookie swaps, or midnight cravings that demand real satisfaction.
Ingredients
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