Mom on Timeout

Ingredients
- 35 saltine crackers about 1 sleeve, may need a few more or less depending on your jelly roll pan 
- 1 cup unsalted butter 
- 1 cup brown sugar well packed 
- 1 tsp vanilla extract 
- 1/2 tsp salt kosher or sea salt preferred 
- 2 cups chocolate chips I used milk chocolate but semi sweet also works. Use Guittard or Ghirardelli for best results. 
Instructions
- Line a jelly roll pan (10 x 15 inches) with nonstick foil (or heavy duty foil and and coat with cooking spray). You can also use a silicone baking mat. 
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
- Place the crackers in a single layer on the jelly roll pan. You may have a little space left over - that is perfectly fine. 
- Melt brown sugar and butter together in a 3 quart heavy bottomed sauce pan, stirring frequently over medium high heat. 
- Bring to a boil and boil for 3 full minutes stirring almost continuously. (If using a candy thermometer, you are looking for 270F-290F degrees.) 
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt. 
- Pour caramel mixture over the top of the saltines and spread evenly over the crackers. 
- Bake for 5 minutes. Caramel should be bubbling vigorously when removed. (If using a candy thermometer, you are looking for 300F-310F degrees.) 
- Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top and cover the pan with foil. Let sit for 5 minutes. 
- Remove foil and use an offset spatula to gently spread melted chocolate. 
- Sprinkle on toppings if desired. Let toffee set up at room temperature until completely cooled, or chill in fridge for at least 2 hours. 
- Carefully peel away the foil from the bottom of the toffee and then use your hands to "crack" it or use a knife to cut into pieces. 
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.