Description
Praline snack mix delights with Southern charm, combining sweet pecans and crisp cereal in a golden caramel coating. Irresistible clusters promise a crunchy, nostalgic treat you won’t stop munching.
Ingredients
Scale
Nuts:
- 2 cups pecan halves (or a mix of your favorite nuts)
Main Ingredients:
- 8 cups Crispix cereal (or your favorite crunchy cereal)
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 250F (120C) and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat for effortless cleanup.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine Crispix cereal and pecan halves, creating a preliminary mixture that will serve as the base for the praline crunch.
- Create the praline coating by combining brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring consistently until the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
- Allow the mixture to boil for precisely 2 minutes, then remove from heat source and incorporate baking soda and vanilla extract, which will cause a gentle foaming reaction that contributes to the coating’s texture.
- Gently cascade the praline mixture over the cereal and nut blend, using a spatula to ensure uniform coverage and complete ingredient integration.
- Distribute the coated mixture across the prepared baking sheet in an even layer, maintaining consistent thickness for uniform cooking.
- Bake the praline crunch for 1 hour, interrupting the process every 15 minutes to stir and rotate the mixture, preventing potential burning and ensuring comprehensive caramelization.
- After baking, extract from the oven and allow the praline crunch to cool completely at room temperature directly on the baking sheet.
- Once thoroughly cooled, fragment the mixture into bite-sized clusters and transfer to an airtight container for preservation and future enjoyment.
Notes
- Swap Crispix with gluten-free alternatives like rice chex or cornflakes for celiac-friendly version.
- Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar for lower glycemic index and deeper caramel notes.
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create extra crunchiness.
- Always stir mixture frequently during baking to prevent burning and ensure uniform caramelization.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg