Caramel Pecan Chex Mix is the ultimate crunchy, buttery sweet treat. Combining crispy corn and rice cereals with toasted pecans coated in a rich, homemade caramel glaze and baked to crisp perfection, it delivers incredible praline-like flavor in every single handful.
Ingredients & Prep
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The Cereal Base: 6 cups corn Chex cereal and 3 cups rice Chex cereal (9 cups total).
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The Nuts: 2 cups raw, unsalted pecan halves (or chopped pecans).
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The Butter & Sugar: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, and 1/2 cup light corn syrup.
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The Magic Finish: 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (which reacts with the caramel to create a light, crisp glaze rather than a hard candy shell).
1.Prep and Mix Base:Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C) and line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a very large roasting pan or mixing bowl, combine the corn Chex, rice Chex, and pecan halves, tossing gently until evenly mixed.
2.Boil the Caramel:Melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup together over medium heat.
In a medium saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, then let it boil strictly for 2 minutes without stirring.
3.Add Flavor and Fizz:Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.
Remove the saucepan immediately from the heat. Carefully stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. (The mixture will bubble up and foam rapidly—this chemical reaction creates tiny air pockets that keep the caramel light and crisp).
4.Coat the Cereal and Pecans:Pour over cereal and toss gently to coat.
Immediately pour the hot, foamy caramel mixture over the bowl of cereal and pecans. Use a large rubber spatula to gently fold and toss everything together until every piece of cereal and nut is evenly coated.
5.Bake and Crisp:Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
Divide the mixture evenly between your two prepared baking sheets. Bake at 250°F for 1 hour, removing the pans from the oven to stir the mix thoroughly every 15 minutes to ensure even crisping. Let cool completely before breaking into clusters and serving!
