No Bake Birthday Cake Crack: a nut free, easy treat

A sweet and simple dessert, ready in under 20 minutes. Tastes just like birthday cake batter, with a serious crunch and fun rainbow sprinkles

If you know and love any version of Christmas crack, then I highly recommend you try this recipe for easy no bake birthday cake crack! It is the rainbow sprinkle, fantastical and fun version of Christmas crack.

This sprinkle-y and easy no bake birthday cake crack would be the perfect addition for a rainbow themed birthday party, Easter, St. Patricks day treat, a baby shower, a magical unicorn sleepover party food, or for basically anyone who loves all things rainbows, unicorns, and happiness!

No bake birthday cake crack – what is it?

Featuring rainbow sprinkles of varying varieties, atop of melted white chocolate/vanilla almond bark, this birthday cake flavored toffee cracker candy is both fun and tasty. We all know the feeling we get when we eat something reminiscent of our childhood. This rainbow sprinkle toffee is just like that. The taste is between a vanilla sprinkle donut, combined with a funfetti vanilla cake and smothered in nostalgia.

It begins with a layer of crackers.

Now I have my favorite which is to use Graham crackers and club crackers. However you can also utilize saltines and ritz crackers in similar recipes for toffee coated crackers. Feel free to experiment, or mix it up like I do.

Next, you make homemade toffee:

a rich, buttery and sweet layer of your easy rainbow sprinkle toffee recipe. Do not shy away from this recipe because of the toffee. I promise making toffee is super easy! If you can make Mac and cheese from a box, you can make toffee. All it requires from you is to pour ingredients into a small pot and mix until it turns light brown.

And my word it is WORTH it! You will be able to see the toffee transform in front of your eyes from melted butter, sugar, water and vanilla, into a golden brown silky mixture.

The hot liquid toffee is poured onto the tops of the crackers and spread into an even layer. It will begin to harden quickly, so do not dilly dally as you pour it on! Once it hardens, it creates a spectacular snap when you break the crackers apart. I always like to keep the birthday cake crack toffee in the fridge so it maintains a lovely crunch.

Next up is the almond bark

If you are new to this ingredient, it is found in the baking aisle, right by the chocolate chips usually. This may seem obvious, but there is no almond in almond bark melts. In fact I was (stupidly) hesitant to use it for the longest time because of the nut allergies in our house, and the name literally says almond on it. After reading and re-reading the ingredients and searching why the heck they call it almond bark, I finally tried it and it is great!

FYI – I have not tried any other melting chocolate or melting candies, so I cannot say whether or not they would be a good substitute. White chocolate chips are notoriously difficult to melt and spread so I would not suggest using them. The almond bark I currently buy is from Target, and the ingredient label is clear and free of our allergens.

Last but certainly not least… S P R I N K L E S

I decided to use a combination of rainbow nonpareils and rainbow jimmies. The color, shape, size, and overall appearance is up to you! This no bake birthday cake crack was designed specifically for my birthday (I am a sucker for rainbow sprinkles still) and figured why not be free like a kid again!

Feel free to have fun with the sprinkles, and change it up a bit too! These could easily be transformed into any seasonal treat, like a Valentine’s Day dessert, Easter dessert, or end of school – beginning of summer super easy snack!

This is an eggless dessert, as well as a peanut free and tree nut free recipe. If you have a favorite brand of gluten free crackers, let me know if it works with this recipe!

How to achieve no bake birthday cake crack:

Preparation:

-Cover a small-mid size baking sheet with tin foil.

-Place crackers salty side down on the pan (or face down if using graham crackers). Set aside.

Make toffee:

In a small pot, combine the sugar, butter, water and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, bringing it to a simmer, and regularly stirring. It will first lighten in color, just keep mixing at a low simmer. It will gradually darken. Do not use super high heat as you might burn it. After approximately 5-8 minutes, you will notice pretty suddenly the color will change and darken, be aware of this because it is nearly done! You will also notice a nice fragrant sweet scent. Keep mixing until it is just a smidge lighter than a ‘werthers’ candy.

It definitely helps to have a food thermometer when making toffee or any candy; if you do have one, the ‘hard-crack’ stage is 300F, so aim for 295-300F.

You can check out my other toffee making post with more pictures

Remove from heat and immediately pour over prepared crackers, using your mixing spoon to quickly spread and level out the mixture. Let it rest and cool on the counter, then make your white chocolate/almond bark.

To make your almond bark,

add your almond bark squares to a microwave safe bowl. Heat as per package directions, usually about 30 second intervals mixing until smooth. Once it is smooth add 1/8 tsp. Oil and mix it in. It should be silky smooth.

Pour over the toffee mixture (it is ok if it is still warm you just want to be sure the toffee has hardened first) and spread around into an even layer. It helps to use an offset spatula for this.

Immediately sprinkle on your desired sprinkles or jimmies before the almond bark cools and hardens! 

Refrigerate for 10 minutes or longer before snapping the pieces apart! Storage: Keep it refrigerated so it maintains a great crunch 🙂

Things that helped in the kitchen for this recipe, and can help you too:

Food thermometer (amazon) to check the temperature of basically everything and anything. One of my most used and underrated kitchen tools.

Offset/ angled spatula- perfect for spreading chocolate, frostings, icing, or smoothing savory foods like mashed potatoes (amazon)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no cost to you, just like a free Disney travel agent. I’m only here to make suggestions that hopefully help you 😀

Looking for other rainbow inspired desserts? Check out these funfetti cookies!