Ritz Cracker Christmas Ornaments

Every holiday season, I find myself reaching for classic flavors that just scream “Christmas!” There’s something so comforting about combining salty and sweet, and these Ritz Cracker Christmas Ornaments are exactly that. They bring back memories of cozy evenings, festive music, and that simple joy of making something special by hand. Plus, they look absolutely adorable on a holiday platter!

Why You’ll Love This Ritz Cracker Christmas Ornaments

• They’re incredibly easy to make, even for beginners! No baking required.
• That salty Ritz cracker combined with sweet peanut butter and chocolate is pure perfection.
• They look super festive and are perfect for holiday parties or edible gifts.
• Kids (and adults!) absolutely adore decorating these.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Creamy Peanut Butter: I love using a classic brand like Jif or Skippy here. The creaminess helps it spread smoothly and holds the crackers together perfectly. Avoid natural peanut butter that separates, as it can be too oily.
• Ritz Crackers: These are the star of the show! Their buttery, salty crunch is essential to the flavor.
• Wilton Red Candy Melts: These are great because they melt smoothly and harden nicely, giving your ornaments that vibrant red color. You can find them in the baking aisle of most craft stores or supermarkets.
• Wilton Vanilla Candy Melts (or Ghirardelli Vanilla Melting Wafers): These melt beautifully for drizzling. Ghirardelli wafers are a fantastic alternative if you can’t find Wilton vanilla melts; they have a lovely vanilla flavor.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Red, green, and white sprinkles really make these look like ornaments. Use whatever festive sprinkles you love!
• Rolo Candies: These add a delicious caramel and chocolate top to your ornament, making it look like the hanger. Make sure they’re unwrapped!
• Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Another perfect little “hanger” for our ornaments, adding even more peanut butter goodness. Unwrapped, of course!

How to Make Ritz Cracker Christmas Ornaments Step by Step

First things first, let’s get organized! Grab a large baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This will make cleanup a breeze and ensure your beautiful ornaments don’t stick. Now, for the core of our ornaments: take 30 of your Ritz crackers and spread about 2 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter onto each one. Don’t be shy with the peanut butter; it’s what holds everything together and adds that amazing flavor! Then, take the remaining 30 crackers and gently press them on top of the peanut butter-coated crackers to create little sandwiches.

Next, it’s time for the vibrant red! Melt your red candy melts according to the package directions. This usually means microwaving them in short bursts, stirring often, until they’re smooth and luscious. This is where the magic happens! Take each peanut butter cracker sandwich, place it on a fork, and dip it into the melted red chocolate. Gently tap the fork on the edge of the bowl to let any extra chocolate drip off. Transfer these back to your prepared baking sheet and let them set up a bit.

While the red chocolate is still a little soft (but not too runny!), use some of the leftover melted chocolate to “glue” a Rolo and a mini Reese’s peanut butter cup to the top of each cracker. These are going to be the “hangers” for our ornaments. Let those set too. Finally, melt your white vanilla candy melts and transfer that lovely melted chocolate to a piping bag – or a trusty plastic bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Drizzle the white chocolate over the red ornaments in a festive pattern. Quickly, before the white chocolate sets, sprinkle on your holiday sprinkles! Allow everything to harden completely at room temperature, or pop the baking sheet in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes if you’re eager to try them.

My Top Tips for Success

• I always make sure my peanut butter is at room temperature; it makes spreading so much easier.
• In my experience, using a fork for dipping is key to getting a nice, even coating and letting excess chocolate drip off.
• Trust me on this one: don’t overheat your candy melts! Follow the package directions closely to avoid seizing.
• Work in small batches when dipping if your kitchen is warm, so the chocolate doesn’t set too quickly on you.
• I like to have all my sprinkles and “hangers” ready and unwrapped before I start dipping for a smooth assembly line.
• If your melted chocolate starts to thicken, you can gently reheat it for a few seconds in the microwave.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overheating the candy melts: This can make the chocolate seize, becoming clumpy and unusable. Always melt in short bursts and stir frequently.
• Not letting excess chocolate drip off: If you don’t tap the fork, you’ll end up with thick puddles of chocolate around the base of your ornaments. Gently tap for a cleaner finish.
• Applying sprinkles after the chocolate has set: The sprinkles won’t stick! Make sure to add them immediately after drizzling the white chocolate.
• Using natural, oily peanut butter: While delicious, natural peanut butter that separates can make the crackers soggy and prevent them from holding together properly. Stick to creamy, stabilized brands.
• Not lining your baking sheet: This can lead to your beautiful ornaments sticking to the pan, making them hard to remove without breaking. Parchment paper is your friend!

How to Store Ritz Cracker Christmas Ornaments

• Countertop: Up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Refrigerator: Up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. They taste great chilled too!
• Freezer: Up to 1 month in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of peanut butter works best?

Creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter like Jif or Skippy is ideal. Natural peanut butter that separates can be too oily and thin for this recipe.

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of candy melts?

You can, but regular chocolate chips often require tempering to get that smooth, shiny finish and proper hardening. Candy melts are designed to melt and set easily without special steps.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! These ornaments hold up wonderfully when stored properly. You can make them 1-2 weeks in advance of your holiday gathering.

What if my candy melts are too thick?

If your candy melts are too thick, you can add a tiny bit of coconut oil or vegetable shortening (about 1/2 teaspoon at a time) and stir well to thin them out. Be careful not to add too much!

Can I use different crackers?

The buttery, salty flavor of Ritz crackers is really key to this recipe’s unique taste. Other crackers might work, but the flavor profile will be different.

I hope these delightful Ritz Cracker Christmas Ornaments bring a little extra sparkle and sweetness to your holiday season! They’re such a simple way to create something festive and delicious. If you make them, please let me know how they turned out and what fun sprinkles you used!

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