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    Home » Dessert

    Easy Chocolate Toffee Matzo Crack

    Published: Feb 16, 2023 by Marni Katz · This post may contain affiliate links

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    A true Passover treat, this chocolate matzo crack recipe is super easy to put together with just 5 ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on time.  It’s so good you’ll find yourself making it over and over again.

    matzo crack stacked on a white plate

    What is chocolate matzo crack?

    Layers of matzo, a quick toffee and chocolate, all sprinkled with flaky sea salt, come together to form an addictive, crunchy, chocolatey sweet treat that’s perfect for Passover and all year long.  

    Similar to chocolate bark or Christmas crack this irresistible treat is quick to make and hard to stop snacking on. A layered dessert, made on one sheet pan with everyday ingredients, this recipe is super accessible to even the most novice cook.  And the simplicity of it means its perfect for Passover and all year round.

    Also known as matzo crunch, toffee matzo or matzo brittle the origins of all these variations likely trace back to Marcy Goldman’s recipe published sometime in the mid 1980s in The Montreal Gazette.  And since then, it’s become one of the most popular and most loved Passover desserts around.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for matzo crunch
    • Matzo:  Matzo is an unleavened bread the thickness of a cracker that is a staple of Passover for the Jewish people.  You can find it in the kosher section of many grocery stores year round, or you can stock up in the spring near Passover.  I typically buy the Manischewitz brand, but any brand will work.  
    • Toffee: The simple toffee layer in this matzo crack is made of two pantry staples, butter and brown sugar.  
    • Chocolate Chips:  The recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips, but feel free to substitute with darker chocolate chips (like 60% cacao) if you are looking for a treat that’s a little less sweet.

    How to make Matzo Crack

    Start by covering your baking sheet in tin foil or parchment paper. 

    Lay the matzo pieces out covering the entire baking sheet.

    matzo on a parchment covered baking sheet

    Now it’s time to make the toffee layer.  Add the butter and brown sugar to a small saucepan set on the stove over medium heat.  

    butter and brown sugar in a saucepan on the stove

    Slowly the brown sugar and butter will melt together.

    melted brown sugar and butter in saucepan

    Once it starts to boil, whisk the mixture together while it boils for 3-4 minutes and becomes thicker.

    toffee boiling in a saucepan

    Carefully pour the toffee over the matzos and spread into a thin layer to cover the entire surface of the matzo.  An offset spatula will help you get into all the nooks and crannies.

    toffee being spread over matzo with an offset spatula

    While the toffee is still warm, sprinkle the entire pan with the chocolate chips and then pop into the oven for 3-5 minutes (or until the chocolate chips start to glisten). 

    Take the pan out of the oven and using your offset spatula spread the melted chocolate over the toffee and matzo layers.  You are looking for a thin even chocolate coating over the entire dish.

    melted chocolate being spread over matzo on a sheet pan

    Sprinkle liberally with sea salt and put into the fridge (or other cool spot like the garage in the winter) for about 2 hours or until hardened.

    sea salt spread on matzo crack

    Now the fun part.  Break the matzo crack with your hands in pieces and enjoy!

    FAQ’s

    Can you freeze matzo crack?

    Yes, you can.  In fact, I think that it tastes best straight out of the freezer.  You get the best crunch when the toffee brittle layer  is cold and the chocolate layer is crisp.  And for me, keeping it in the freezer makes it less likely that the whole batch disappears in one day.

    What type of matzo is best for this recipe?

    I like to use the traditional “plain” matzo when I’m making chocolate matzo crack, however, you could easily use egg matzo if you like.  It’s a little bit softer than the traditional style, so it may not give you the same “crack”, but will taste just as good.  You can also use gluten-free matzo without a change to the recipe.

    What can you substitute for matzo?

    If it's not Passover and you don’t have matzo on hand you can easily substitute saltines in this recipe.  Lay them out on the sheet pan instead of the sheets of matzo and proceed with the recipe as written.

    To keep this recipe kosher for Passover, you can substitute tam-tams or another kosher for Passover plain cracker.

    broken pieces of matzo crack on a sheet pan

    Fun Flavor Combinations

    You don’t have to stop at just a chocolate toffee topping for your matzo!  While the chocolate is still melty, feel free to add other toppings to the top, like you would do if you were making chocolate bark.  Here are few winning flavor combinations:

    • Chopped walnuts and pomegranate seeds
    • Mini marshmallows for a s’mores inspired treat
    • Coconut flakes and chopped almonds
    • Freeze dried strawberries and pistachios

    Matzo Crack makes a great gift

    Chocolate covered anything makes a great gift and this chocolate matzo crack is no different.  To package, I suggest breaking the matzo crack into somewhat even sized pieces and then stacking into a cellophane gift bag in a tall stack.  Tie the gift bag with a ribbon and gift away.  

    This would be the perfect hostess gift if you are invited to a seder meal or Shabbat dinner during Passover.  Pair it with a bag of these chocolate chip cookies for a real treat!  

    Or build a snack board around the matzo crack, with nuts and dried fruits, wrap the whole thing up in a big gift bag and take as a thank you when you stay with friends for extended time over the holiday.

    pieces of matzo crack on a white plate

    Storing leftovers

    Since this is a great make ahead dessert, storing the matzo crack before eating or after serving is key.

    Start by layering the pieces of matzo crack in an airtight container.  Separate each layers with a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. 

    Then store in the fridge for up to 10 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.  It’s unlikely this delicious treat will last that long 😉.

    Here are few other awesome Passover recipes you should try:

    • Farfel Muffins
    • Mandel Bread
    • Simple Charoset

    Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!

    And make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more simple recipes! Remember to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #simplegraytshirt! I 💖 seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!

    📖 Recipe

    matzo crack stacked on a white plate

    Easy Chocolate Toffee Matzo Crack

    Marni Katz
    The perfect Passover treat, this matzo crack is sweet, salty, crunchy and oh so yum!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Kosher, Passover
    Servings 10
    Calories 456 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4-5 pieces matzo
    • 2 sticks unsalted butter
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 tablespoon Flaky Sea Salt I like Maldon Salt for finishing

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 300° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil being sure the covering hangs over the edges.
    • Lay matzo across the bottom of the lined pan creating just 1 layer. Break the matzo as needed to fill the entire bottom of the pan. Fill as many holes as possible.
    • Heat butter and brown sugar in a sauce pan, on the stove set over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and let boil for 3-4 minutes, stirring the whole time. The toffee mixture should become thicker and stickier.
    • Pour the toffee mixture carefully onto the laid out matzo and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Evenly sprinkle all chocolate chips across the top of the toffee layer.
    • Pop into the over and let the chocolate melt for 3-5 minutes.  Once the chocolate is soft, remove from oven and immediately use an offset spatula to spread the chocolate into a thin layer.
    • Sprinkle with fancy sea salt to finish and put into the fridge or freezer to set for at least 2 hours.
    • Once set, remove from freezer, break into pieces and enjoy.

    Notes

    The matzo crack can easily be made in advance and stored until you are ready to eat it. Start by layering the pieces of matzo crack in an airtight container.  Separate each layer with a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Then store in the fridge for up to 10 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.  
    Feel free to play with other flavor profiles by adding fun toppings.  Things like nuts, seeds, mini-marshmallows and freeze dried fruit all work well.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 456kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 2gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 710mgPotassium: 239mgFiber: 3gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 583IUCalcium: 46mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword kosher for passover, Matzo
    Tried this recipe?Let me know what you think!

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    About Marni Katz

    Marni Katz is the recipe developer, photographer and writer behind Simple Gray T-Shirt. She wants to help people keep things simple in the kitchen. With simple recipes, easy menu ideas and plenty of tips and tricks along the way, she wants getting a meal on the table to be as simple as putting on your favorite gray tee!
    "I want to inspire you to get back in the kitchen and do this, because you can!"

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