Ritz Cracker Toffee and the Oven Explosion

Yes, notice the fire extinguisher in the background.

I don't know what it is with my kitchen and exploding ovens.  A couple years ago, the Chick went to use the oven and it caught on fire.  An that was my new stove.  It was only 5 years ago when I replaced my old stove and got a new flat ceramic top stove/range.

Well, this morning, I was making some Ritz cracker toffee for a bake sale on Thursday.  It was a quiet 6:00 am, the dogs were still in the kennel, Dave was asleep, and I was in the kitchen making the candy.  I preheated the oven, melted the butter and sugar together, arranged the crackers on the cookie sheet, poured the molten sugar/butter mixture over the crackers and set it in the oven to bake for 10 minutes.  I started to toast some slivered almonds for the top and I heard this funny fizzle kind of sound, then a loud pop.  I thought maybe a cracker exploded in the oven because of the sugar syrup?  I don't know, it could be a thing.  Then there was a burst of flames up the back of the stove and black smoke.  I turned the stove and the range off, ran and got the fires extinguisher and ran upstairs and yelled at Dave that the oven was on fire.
What a way to wake up!

I ran back downstairs to stop flames if I saw any, and Dave ran downstairs and pulled the stove away from the wall so we could check.  No flames, the kitchen stunk, but all was well.  Dave went and turned off the breaker - amazingly the breaker didn't trip.

So there I was with this candy almost finished and no stove to cook it properly.  I just left it in the oven for 15 minutes and it seemed o.k., so I finished it with chocolate chips, almonds and sprinkles and it turned out fine.
Thank goodness the fire and the smoke were outside of the oven and not inside!  The candy was saved!

The only casualty was the almonds got a little too toasted
during my running around for the fire extinguisher and
waking up the husband!

But after Dave had to replace the fan in the guest bathroom, buy a new dryer two weeks ago, and now a stove/range, I think we should be done.  We did go with a different brand of stove this time, having two of the same brand catch on fire was enough for us.

Ritz Cracker Toffee
Betty Crocker online

40 Ritz crackers, I have made this with saltine crackers and it is just as good
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (11.5) bag chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
toasted-slivered almonds, sprinkles - optional

Preheat oven to 350°F (and hope it doesn't catch on fire)
Line a 15x10x1 inch pan with aluminum foil.  Spray foil with cooking spray.  Line crackers on foil lined pan in a single layer.

In a 2 quart saucepan, over medium high heat, melt butter, add sugar and salt.  Bring to a boil, and cook, stirring frequently, for 7-9 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Pour over crackers and spread evenly.  Bake for 13-15 minutes until deep brown and bubbly.  Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over cracker mixture.  Let sit for a couple minutes until the chocolate softens.  Spread to evenly cover all the crackers.   Top with almonds and/or sprinkles.

Let cool completely, and let chocolate set, at least 2 hours.  Break into pieces.

The new range!

2 years ago:  Crock Pot Chocolate Lava Cake
3 years ago:  Hot Spiced Rum Apple Cider
5 years ago:  Scaring Myself on the Treadmill and Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi

November 30, 2017  Sunrise 10:17 am  Sunset 3:01 pm   Temp. H 6/ L -5°F