Description
This Caramel Candy Corn Snack Mix is a delightful blend of crunchy rice cereal squares, salty pretzels, and peanuts, enveloped in a rich, buttery caramel coating. Baked to perfection and mixed with festive candy corn and chocolate candies, this snack mix offers a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, ideal for holiday snacking or parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Snack Mix
- 8 cups rice cereal squares
- 2 cups pretzel twists
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- 1 cup candy corn
- 1 cup chocolate candies (such as M&M’s)
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the snack mix.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice cereal squares, pretzel twists, and salted peanuts. Set the mixture aside while preparing the caramel.
- Prepare Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Then stir in the light brown sugar and light corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Boil Caramel: Let the caramel mixture boil without stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda until the mixture becomes bubbly and well combined.
- Coat Snack Mix: Pour the hot caramel sauce over the cereal and peanut mixture in the large bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure all dry ingredients are evenly coated with the caramel.
- Spread on Baking Sheet: Spread the caramel-coated mix evenly onto the prepared baking sheet to allow even baking.
- Bake the Mix: Bake the snack mix in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Add Candy Corn & Chocolates: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. While still warm, stir in the candy corn and chocolate candies so they meld into the mix without melting completely.
- Cool and Store: Allow the snack mix to cool fully until it hardens into clusters. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container to keep fresh.
Notes
- Ensure to stir the caramel mixture constantly while heating to prevent it from burning.
- Stirring every 15 minutes during baking is key to an even caramel coating without scorching.
- You can substitute the peanuts with other nuts such as almonds or cashews based on preference or allergies.
- Store the finished snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- If candy corn is not preferred, you can add other festive candies or omit it entirely for a more traditional caramel snack mix.
