Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray.
Arrange the saltines salt side down in a single layer.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Once it comes to a boil continue to let it boil for 3 minutes, stirring consistently. You want it to turn a nice caramel color.
Remove from the heat and pour over the crackers, covering them evenly.
Bake for 5 minutes (just until bubbly). Remove from the oven.
Spoon peanut butter over the top, dotting it as evenly as you can. Let it melt for a minute or so, then spread it out. *If you are not going to add the peanut butter, just skip this step.
Next sprinkle the chocolate chips all over the top of the peanut butter layer (or butter/sugar layer if not adding the peanut butter). Return to the oven for about a minute to melt the chips.
Remove from the oven and spread out the melted chocolate chips.
Transfer the pan to the freezer for 15-20 minutes or until completely cold. Break up into bite sized pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
I made these with the added peanut butter and it was really good! However, both my husband and I prefer it without the peanut butter. Either way, you won't be able to stop at just one bite :) It lives up to its name.
Recipe by Baked in AZ at http://bakedinaz.com/sweet-saltine-toffee-aka-christmas-crack/