If you’re looking for a festive and ridiculously easy treat to whip up this season, you’re going to adore this Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe. I absolutely love how these little sandwiches combine salty, sweet, and creamy in one bite, making them a hit at holiday parties and family gatherings alike. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe year after year.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy & Quick: You’ll have these festive cookies ready in just about 20 minutes – perfect for last-minute holiday prep.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The salty Ritz crackers, creamy peanut butter, sweet white chocolate, and a hint of sea salt are simply irresistible.
- Customizable & Fun: Sprinkles add that festive touch, and you can swap nut butters or chocolate types to suit your preferences.
- Crowd-Pleaser: I promise these will disappear fast at any holiday gathering – family and friends go crazy for them!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe lies in its simplicity and quality ingredients. Each one plays a star role, blending deliciously to create those perfect holiday bites. When shopping, try to pick good-quality peanut butter and festive sprinkles that make you smile.

- Ritz Crackers: These salty, buttery crackers create the perfect crunchy base for the sandwich.
- White Chocolate Melting Wafers: I use these for smooth and easy melting; they give a beautiful coating to the cookies.
- Coconut Oil (optional): Adding this helps thin the chocolate if needed, but your melting wafers might not require it.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: A thick, creamy layer of peanut butter adds rich flavor and keeps the cookies together.
- Festive Holiday Sprinkles: Sprinkles bring that joyful holiday vibe and a pop of color.
- Flaky Sea Salt: A tiny sprinkle finishes the cookies with a delightful contrast to the sweetness.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own by trying out different nut butters and toppings. Feel free to experiment – that’s part of the fun, especially when you want to suit different tastes or dietary needs.
- Nut Butter Swap: I sometimes swap peanut butter for almond or cashew butter—perfect if peanut allergies are a concern or you just want a flavor twist.
- Chocolate Variant: Using dark chocolate melting wafers instead of white chocolate changes up the richness and pairs beautifully with the salty crackers.
- Sprinkle Mix: Try crushed peppermint candies or chopped nuts instead of traditional sprinkles to add texture and holiday flair.
How to Make Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Step 1: Assemble Your Cookie Sandwiches
First, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper—this makes cleanup a breeze. Then, lay out one sleeve of Ritz crackers flat side up. I usually eyeball about 2 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter per cracker, spreading it thick to get that perfect peanut buttery punch in every bite. After that, gently place another cracker on top, rounded side up, creating that delightful sandwich shape. This layering is what makes the texture so enjoyable here.
Step 2: Melt Your White Chocolate
Pop the white chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 1-minute increments, stirring in between. I usually heat it for one minute, stir, then another minute, and stir again until silky smooth. If your melting wafers feel too thick, a tablespoon or two of coconut oil helps thin it out. However, I’ve found good-quality wafers melt beautifully on their own.
Step 3: Dunk, Decorate & Let Set
Here’s the fun part—take each cookie sandwich, use a fork to carefully dunk it into the melted white chocolate, coating it completely. Be sure to tap off the excess chocolate so it doesn’t pool at the bottom. Place them back on the parchment, then drizzle any extra melted chocolate over the tops. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle on those festive holiday sprinkles and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Then, just let your cookies set—either at room temperature or in the fridge.
Pro Tips for Making Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
- Peanut Butter Thickness: Make sure your peanut butter layer is thick enough to balance the saltiness of the crackers and add creaminess—this really levels up the flavor!
- Chocolate Melting: Stirring often during melting prevents burning and keeps your chocolate smooth, which is key for a shiny finish.
- Use a Fork to Dunk: This lets excess chocolate drip off, preventing soggy bottoms and messy cookies.
- Chill Before Serving: Letting the cookies set in the fridge speeds up drying time and helps the chocolate harden with a nice snap.
How to Serve Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

Garnishes
I love a festive sprinkle of colorful holiday shapes or crushed candy canes on top—adds both crunch and holiday cheer. A light dusting of flaky sea salt finishes the flavor beautifully, giving just the right hint of savory contrast. Plus, it looks gorgeous with the white chocolate!
Side Dishes
Pair these with a warm cup of cocoa or your favorite spiced holiday tea. They also make an excellent sweet bite alongside a cheese board for holiday parties—contrasting the salty and creamy elements nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I love arranging these on a rustic wooden board lined with festive napkins, letting the sprinkles brighten the display. You can also stack them in clear treat bags tied with colorful ribbon for adorable edible gifts. Nothing beats homemade cookies looking this cute!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for up to a week and maintain that perfect crisp texture and creamy peanut butter center—though honestly, they never last that long in my house!
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead for a party, freezing works great. Pop them into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. They’ll taste fresh and preserve their texture well.
Reheating
Since these are best served cold or at room temperature, I usually just let them thaw naturally. If you want a slightly melty chocolate experience, a quick 10-second microwave zap works wonders without softening the crackers too much.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of crackers for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Ritz crackers give that perfect buttery crunch and slight saltiness, you can experiment with other buttery or slightly salty crackers. Just keep in mind the texture and flavor you want to achieve—some crackers may be too dense or too bland.
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What if I don’t have melting wafers for the white chocolate?
You can use regular white chocolate chips or chunks, but melting wafers are specially formulated to melt smoothly without seizing. If using regular chocolate, be careful to melt it slowly and stir often. Adding a bit of coconut oil helps maintain that smooth consistency.
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Can I make these without peanut butter?
Yes! You can swap peanut butter with any nut or seed butter you like, such as almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter. Just make sure it’s creamy so it spreads easily and sticks the crackers together well.
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How do I keep the cookies from getting soggy?
The key is to coat the peanut butter layer evenly and use a fork to tap off excess chocolate after dipping so your cookies cool without pooling chocolate underneath. Also, letting them chill in the fridge helps chocolate set firmly, keeping the texture perfect.
Final Thoughts
This Ritz Cracker Holiday Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe has become one of my all-time favorite holiday treats because it’s quick, no-bake, and hits all the right flavor notes. I love sharing these with my family and watching their faces light up with each bite. It’s pretty much my go-to cookie for any festive occasion now, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and munching on them just as much as I do. So grab those crackers, melt some chocolate, and let’s make this year’s cookie spread extra special!
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
Description
Delightfully festive Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies featuring crispy cracker sandwiches filled with creamy peanut butter, dipped in smooth white chocolate and topped with colorful holiday sprinkles and flaky sea salt. An easy no-bake treat perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.
Ingredients
Cracker Sandwiches
- 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)
Finishing Touches
- 1/4 cup festive holiday sprinkles
- Flaky sea salt, for finishing
Instructions
- Prepare the Cracker Base: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and lay out one sleeve of Ritz crackers with the flat side facing up to create the base for your sandwiches.
- Spread Peanut Butter: Spread approximately 2 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter on each cracker, aiming for a thick, even layer to ensure each bite is flavorful.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Carefully place another Ritz cracker on top of the peanut butter side, rounded side up, forming a sandwich with two crackers per cookie.
- Melt the White Chocolate: Place white chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir, then continue heating in 30-second increments, stirring until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Optionally, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil to achieve a silkier consistency.
- Coat the Cookies: Using a fork, dunk each peanut butter cracker sandwich fully into the melted white chocolate, ensuring an even coating. Tap off any excess chocolate and return the coated cookie to the parchment-lined sheet. Drizzle extra melted chocolate over the cookies for decoration if desired.
- Add Sprinkles and Salt: While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle festive holiday sprinkles over the cookies, followed by a light dusting of flaky sea salt for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
- Set and Serve: Allow the chocolate to fully set at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once hardened, serve the cookies immediately or store according to notes for later enjoyment.
Notes
- You can substitute dark chocolate melting wafers for the white chocolate if preferred.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For longer storage, freeze cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Adding coconut oil is optional but can make the white chocolate coating smoother and easier to work with.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg


