Quick & Easy Small Batch Matzo Crunch: Your Ultimate Microwave Caramel Dessert
There’s something uniquely satisfying about a dessert that comes together quickly, requires minimal fuss, and delivers maximum flavor and texture. Small Batch Matzo Crunch is precisely that kind of treat. Its origins trace back to a delightful creation known as Trefoils Toffee, a recipe where buttery shortbread cookies form the base for a rich, quick microwave caramel, lavishly topped with chocolate and nuts. We’ve taken that brilliant concept and adapted it to create an equally irresistible matzo version, a recipe we find ourselves returning to time and again. This simple yet sophisticated dessert is perfect for satisfying a sweet craving, preparing for a holiday gathering like Passover, or just enjoying a cozy evening treat without a lengthy baking process.
What makes Small Batch Matzo Crunch so special? Beyond its incredible taste, it’s the sheer convenience and versatility. We opt for matzo as the base, not just because it’s a staple in our pantry, especially around certain holidays, but also because a standard 7-inch sheet of matzo fits perfectly into an 8-inch square pan. This ideal fit ensures a uniform layer for the caramel and toppings, leading to consistently perfect crunch in every piece. However, if matzo isn’t readily available, don’t fret! This recipe is incredibly adaptable, and you can easily substitute other crisp crackers like Saltines or Ritz, ensuring that this delightful dessert is always within reach.
The beauty of this “small batch” approach means you don’t end up with an overwhelming amount of sweets, making it ideal for smaller households or when you simply want to enjoy a fresh batch without too much leftover. It’s a wonderfully balanced treat, offering the crispness of matzo (or crackers), the chewy richness of a microwave caramel, and the indulgent melt of chocolate, all crowned with your favorite toppings. It’s a recipe that encourages experimentation and personal touches, allowing you to customize it to your exact preferences every single time.
Crafting the Perfect Microwave Caramel for Your Matzo Crunch
The heart of our Small Batch Matzo Crunch lies in its incredibly simple yet utterly delicious caramel topping. Unlike traditional stovetop caramels that often demand constant attention and precise temperature control, this microwave version is astonishingly forgiving and consistently flawless. It requires just two basic ingredients: ¼ cup of salted butter and ¼ cup of packed light brown sugar. These humble components transform into a rich, golden caramel with minimal effort, making it truly a game-changer for home bakers.
Many people, myself included, have had their share of microwave mishaps when attempting caramel-like concoctions – whether it’s burning the sugar or having mixtures boil over. However, this particular recipe has never failed us. The process is straightforward: melt the butter partially, stir in the brown sugar, then microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. The magic happens quickly, and you’ll notice the mixture lightening in color and pulling away from the sides of the glass measuring cup as it reaches perfection. This visual cue is your signal that it’s ready to be poured over the matzo. The result is a beautifully smooth caramel that hardens up perfectly, creating that satisfying crunch we all love. For this specific batch, we used Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chips, which provided a wonderful depth of flavor to complement the sweet caramel.
This recipe has become a true family favorite, made dozens of times since its inception. It’s so simple and reliable that even my daughter now makes it on her own, experimenting with different variations each time. The beauty of this dessert lies in its adaptability, especially when it comes to chocolate and toppings. While traditional nuts like pecans or walnuts are fantastic, don’t hesitate to get creative. My daughter, for instance, loves adding crushed pretzels for a salty-sweet crunch, a delightful twist that adds another layer of texture. From sprinkles to dried fruits, different types of chocolate, or even a sprinkle of sea salt, anything truly goes!
The process of adding toppings is just as enjoyable as making the caramel. Once the warm, bubbly caramel comes out of the oven, the chocolate chips are sprinkled over, allowed to soften slightly from the residual heat, and then spread into a smooth, glossy layer. This creates the perfect adhesive for whatever delightful crunch or embellishment you choose to add next. The quick refrigeration step then solidifies everything into a delightful bark, ready to be broken or cut into bite-sized pieces. It’s a recipe that encourages personal expression and guarantees a delicious outcome every single time.
No Matzo? No Problem! Delicious Alternatives for Your Crunch Base
While matzo is our preferred base for its perfect pan fit and unique texture, its availability can sometimes be seasonal, particularly outside of Passover. But fear not, the essence of this delightful crunch can be replicated with common pantry staples! If you don’t have matzo on hand, Saltine crackers or Ritz crackers make excellent substitutes. They offer a similar crispness that holds up beautifully to the caramel and chocolate layers.
Just recently, I whipped up a batch using 25 Ritz crackers, and they performed admirably. The key difference to remember when using these alternatives is their baking time. Crackers tend to brown more quickly than matzo due to their thinner profile and sometimes higher fat content. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on them in the oven. I recommend checking the crunch at the 8-minute mark and absolutely ensuring they don’t bake for more than 10 minutes. This slight adjustment in baking time will prevent any unwanted burning while still allowing the caramel to bubble and set perfectly. The goal is a golden, bubbly caramel, not an overly browned cracker base. With these simple substitutions and minor adjustments, you can enjoy Small Batch Matzo Crunch (or cracker crunch!) any time of the year.
Mastering Microwave Timing for Perfect Caramel
One of the most common questions regarding microwave recipes is about varying microwave powers and how that impacts cooking times. It’s a valid concern, as microwaves can differ significantly in wattage and efficiency. I recently experienced this firsthand when making a batch in a new microwave. What typically takes 2 minutes for the butter and brown sugar mixture was perfectly ready to pour after just 1 minute (achieved in two 30-second intervals) in the new appliance.
So, how do you know your caramel mixture is ready? The key is to observe its visual cues. As the butter and sugar mixture heats and combines, it will begin to lighten in color, transforming from a dark brown sugar paste into a more vibrant, bubbly caramel. Crucially, you’ll see it actively “pulling away” from the sides of your glass measuring cup. This indicates that the moisture is evaporating, and the sugar is properly dissolving and caramelizing. If you notice vigorous bubbling and the mixture receding from the cup’s edges after the first minute (that’s the initial 30 seconds for butter, plus the first 30 seconds with sugar), you can confidently pour it over your matzo or crackers. Trust your eyes and these visual cues over strict timing, and you’ll achieve perfect microwave caramel every time, regardless of your microwave’s wattage.
This attention to detail ensures your caramel is neither undercooked (which could lead to a softer, less crunchy result) nor overcooked (which can lead to a burnt taste). The microwave method, when watched carefully, offers a fantastic balance of speed and control, making this Small Batch Matzo Crunch recipe truly accessible to everyone. Once you master this simple caramel, a world of quick and delicious toffee-like treats opens up!
- Nutty Matzo Granola
- Matzo Meal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Baking Tried and True Favorites
- Passover Chocolate Chunk Bars
- Matzo Cake Meal Passover Brownies
Recipe
Quick Small Batch Matzo Crunch
Cookie Madness
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 sheet Matzo (7 inch sheet)
- ¼ cup salted butter (56 grams)
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar (50 grams)
- ½ cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped pecans toasted (or other desired toppings like pretzels, dried fruit, or sprinkles)
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8-inch square metal baking pan by lining it with nonstick foil. If using regular foil, make sure to grease it thoroughly with extra butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
-
Carefully place the 7-inch sheet of matzo into the prepared pan. It should fit snugly. If using alternative crackers, arrange them in a single layer to cover the bottom of the pan as much as possible.
-
In a microwave-safe 2-cup measuring cup (a Pyrex liquid measuring cup works perfectly), place the salted butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until it is mostly melted. Add the packed light brown sugar to the melted butter and stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
-
Return the butter and brown sugar mixture to the microwave. Heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring thoroughly every 30 seconds. Microwave times can vary significantly, so pay close attention. The caramel is ready when it has visibly lightened in color and begins to pull away from the sides of the measuring cup. If these signs appear after just 1 minute (after the initial 30 seconds for butter and the first 30 seconds with sugar), you can proceed to the next step without microwaving for the full second minute. Promptly pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over the matzo in the pan, spreading it to the edges if needed.
-
Bake the matzo with caramel at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, or until the caramel is very hot, bubbly, and a rich golden brown. If using Saltines or Ritz crackers, check at 8 minutes, as they may brown faster, and do not bake beyond 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack very briefly, just about 3 minutes, or until the caramel settles down from its bubbling state.
-
Evenly sprinkle the semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips over the hot caramel. To help the chips melt efficiently, you can place a flat pan (like another baking sheet) on top of the square pan for 5 minutes; this traps the heat. After 5 minutes, remove the top pan and use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the softened chocolate chips into a smooth, even layer over the caramel. Immediately sprinkle your chosen toppings, such as toasted chopped pecans, crushed pretzels, or other creative additions, over the warm chocolate.
-
Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate and caramel layers have completely hardened. Once firm, carefully lift the foil from the pan and break or cut the matzo crunch into desired pieces.
-
Note on Toasting Nuts: To achieve a deeper flavor and crunch, toast your nuts before adding them. You can do this by baking them in a shallow pan in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or by cooking them in a dry skillet over low heat until lightly browned and fragrant. Ensure they are completely cool before sprinkling on the chocolate.
There you have it – a truly foolproof, incredibly delicious, and wonderfully versatile recipe for Small Batch Matzo Crunch. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe is designed for success. Its simple ingredients and quick microwave caramel make it an accessible treat for anyone, any time. From its crisp matzo base to its rich, chewy caramel and decadent chocolate topping, every bite is a delightful symphony of textures and flavors. It’s perfect for satisfying that sudden sweet craving, for a last-minute dessert contribution, or as a fun activity with family. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite chocolate types and a myriad of toppings to make it uniquely yours. We’re confident this will become a cherished recipe in your household, just as it has in ours. Enjoy the crunch!