If you’re looking for a quick, festive, and absolutely delicious treat to impress your holiday guests, you HAVE to try these Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe. I first made these last Christmas when I was in a pinch for time but wanted to bring something special—and trust me, they blew everyone away. They’re so simple to make, with just a few ingredients that come together into a perfect sweet-and-salty bite that’s utterly addictive. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my tips to help you nail this recipe every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy & Fast: It takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings.
- Perfect Balance of Sweet & Salty: The buttery Ritz crackers and creamy peanut butter pair beautifully with rich white chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Customizable & Festive: You can swap in your favorite nut butter or chocolate and add fun holiday sprinkles for a personal touch.
- A Crowd Pleaser Every Time: I promise your family, friends, and coworkers will go crazy for these bite-sized delights!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind these Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe lies in using simple, quality ingredients that work so well together—you probably already have most of them in your pantry. I recommend using fresh Ritz crackers because their buttery flavor really shines here.
- Ritz Crackers: The base of the cookie sandwich; their buttery, flaky texture adds the perfect crunch.
- White Chocolate Melting Wafers: I love Ghirardelli for a smooth, creamy coating that hardens perfectly.
- Peanut Butter (or Nut Butter): Creamy peanut butter works best for spreading evenly, but feel free to swap for almond or cashew butter if you prefer.
- Coconut Oil (optional): A little helps make the melted chocolate silky and easier to coat the cookies.
- Festive Holiday Sprinkles: Adds that colorful holiday cheer and some fun texture on top.
- Flaky Sea Salt: The final touch that enhances the sweet and salty flavor contrast beautifully.
Variations
One of the things I love most about this Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to make them nut-free, swap chocolates, or add a flavor twist, these cookies are incredibly flexible. Plus, it’s fun to experiment and make them your own!
- Nut-Free Version: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter to keep it allergy-friendly—my niece appreciates this version every year!
- Dark Chocolate Coating: Swap white chocolate for dark chocolate melts for a deeper, less sweet taste that balances well with the crackers.
- Holiday Spice Kick: Add a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the peanut butter before sandwiching for an extra festive flavor note.
- Sprinkles Galore: Use different sprinkles to match other holidays or birthday themes—I’ve even used edible glitter for New Year’s Eve!
How to Make Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Step 1: Assemble the cookie sandwiches
Start by lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Lay out one sleeve of Ritz crackers with the flat side facing up—I like the stability this gives when spreading the peanut butter. Then, spread a generous ~2 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter on each cracker. I usually just eyeball it but make sure it’s a thick, even layer so each bite is rich and satisfying. Once you’ve got peanut butter on all your crackers, take the second sleeve and place those crackers on top with the rounded sides facing up, creating a perfect little sandwich.
Step 2: Melt the white chocolate
Place the white chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. I usually heat them for 1 minute, then give them a nice stir, and heat for another minute, stirring again until silky smooth. If you notice the chocolate is a bit thick, add 1 teaspoon coconut oil and stir in to loosen the texture—that’s a trick I discovered that makes coating the cookies much easier. Just be careful not to overheat or the chocolate can seize up.
Step 3: Dip and decorate
Using a fork, dunk each peanut butter sandwich into the melted white chocolate, making sure to coat the entire cookie. You’ll want to tap off the excess gently to avoid drips and mess. Place the coated cookie back onto the parchment paper. Once all cookies are dipped, use any leftover chocolate to drizzle extra on top for a pretty finish. Quickly sprinkle with festive holiday sprinkles and a pinch of flaky sea salt before the chocolate sets—that last bit of salt is honestly a game changer that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Step 4: Let the cookies set
Allow the cookies to sit at room temperature until the white chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. If you’re impatient like me, you can pop them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to speed things up. Once set, they’re ready to serve and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
- Even Peanut Butter Layer: I learned that spreading the peanut butter while the crackers are flat side up helps keep the sandwich stable and neat.
- Chocolate Melting Trick: Adding a bit of coconut oil prevents the white chocolate from getting grainy and makes coating way smoother.
- Use a Fork to Dunk: This simple trick helps drain excess chocolate and keeps your cookies from getting too soggy.
- Don’t Skip the Sea Salt: It balances the sweetness and adds a sophisticated flavor punch that keeps everyone coming back for more.
How to Serve Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a sucker for simple garnishes that make treats feel special. For these cookies, a sprinkle of colorful holiday sprinkles really brings out the festive vibe, and flaky sea salt adds that perfect finishing touch. Sometimes I add crushed peppermint candy on top for a cool twist during Christmas, which my guests just adore.
Side Dishes
These Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies go wonderfully alongside a hot cup of cocoa or warm spiced cider—my favorite way to indulge during chilly holiday evenings. They also pair nicely with a simple fruit platter or a cheese board to balance the sweetness with some savory bites.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’ve had company over, I like arranging these cookies on a tiered serving stand with some fresh evergreen sprigs or cranberries for a festive look. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane tied with ribbon also makes lovely edible gifts. My favorite presentation is a cookie platter with a mix of chocolate drizzles and sprinkles to make each cookie unique and eye-catching.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep beautifully for up to one week without losing their crispness or flavor. Just be sure to keep them away from heat or sunlight to prevent the chocolate from melting.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe successfully for longer storage. Just place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper layers to prevent sticking. They’ll last up to 3 months, and thaw perfectly when you want a sweet treat without baking again.
Reheating
These cookies don’t need much reheating—just bring them to room temperature before serving. If you prefer the chocolate to be a bit melty again, a quick 5-7 seconds in the microwave does the trick without making the cookies soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of crackers instead of Ritz for this recipe?
Yes! While Ritz crackers are my go-to because of their buttery flavor and perfect size, you can experiment with other crackers like saltines or buttery water crackers. Just keep in mind the flavor and texture vary, and that affects the overall taste balance.
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What’s the best way to melt white chocolate without seizing?
Melting white chocolate can be tricky. I suggest microwaving in short bursts (30 seconds), stirring frequently to prevent overheating. Adding a small amount of coconut oil helps keep it smooth. Using melting wafers like Ghirardelli is much easier than chopping white chocolate bars.
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Can I make these cookies nut-free?
Absolutely! Swap peanut butter for a seed butter like sunflower seed butter or another allergy-friendly spread, and you’ll still get the same creamy texture and delicious flavor.
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How do I keep the cookies from getting soggy?
Make sure to not overload the peanut butter layer and avoid letting the cookies sit in a humid environment. Dipping the cookies quickly in the white chocolate and letting them set well also helps keep the crackers crisp.
Final Thoughts
I’m so glad I found this Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe because it’s become a holiday staple in my kitchen. What started as a quick, last-minute idea turned into something my family requests year after year. It’s the perfect mix of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy with zero fuss. I know you’ll enjoy making these as much as you’ll enjoy eating them—so grab those ingredients and get ready to impress your loved ones with this show-stopping holiday treat!
Print
Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delightful Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are an easy-to-make holiday treat featuring creamy peanut butter sandwiched between crisp Ritz crackers, all coated in rich white chocolate and topped with festive sprinkles and flaky sea salt. Perfect for holiday parties or gifting, these no-bake cookies combine sweet, salty, and crunchy textures into one irresistible bite.
Ingredients
Crackers and Filling
- 2 sleeves Ritz Crackers, ~60 crackers
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
Chocolate Coating
- 20 oz. Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers
- 1-2 Tbsp coconut oil (optional, to aid melting)
Toppings
- 1/4 cup festive holiday sprinkles
- Flaky sea salt, for finishing
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and lay out 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers with the flat side facing up to create a stable base for assembling the sandwiches.
- Spread Peanut Butter: Using about 2 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter per cracker, spread a thick, even layer over each flat cracker. This acts as the filling and helps the cookies stick together.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Place a second Ritz cracker on top of each peanut butter-coated cracker, making sure the rounded sides face upwards to form a sandwich cookie.
- Melt White Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the white chocolate melting wafers in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between until completely smooth and melted. If desired, add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil to help with the melting process.
- Coat the Cookies: Using a fork, carefully dunk each sandwich cookie into the melted white chocolate until fully coated. Lift the cookie and tap off any excess chocolate before placing it back on the parchment paper.
- Decorate and Finish: While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle festive holiday sprinkles and a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie to add color and a delightful salty contrast.
- Set and Serve: Allow the white chocolate to fully set at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once firm, the cookies are ready to serve and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute white chocolate melting wafers with dark chocolate for a richer flavor variation.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
