Caramel Chex Mix is the tastiest snack or gift for the holiday season. Cereal and pretzels are coated in caramel for a sweet and salty treat.
Homemade Caramel Chex mix is a delightful combination of sweet and salty that's perfect for any occasion but especially during the holidays. When my family arrives at my folks house for the holidays, my mom always has a 2 gallon mason jar filled to the brim with Christmas Crunch. Whether you're snacking while watching your favorite movie, or making it as a homemade gift for friends and family, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser.
It's is a simple-to-make and versatile holiday mix that can be easily adjusted with your favorite add-ins. People often find themselves reaching for more handfuls because it's difficult to stop once you start. It's so delicious that you might want to go ahead and make a double batch! Once you make this mix and fall in love with it, be sure to also check out my Praline Crunch and Christmas Chex Mix.
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Table of Contents
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Great for Gifting: This Caramel Chex mix recipe can be packaged beautifully and given as a thoughtful homemade gift during the holidays or special occasions.
- Sweet and Salty Combination: Caramel Chex mix strikes a perfect balance between sweet and salty flavors. The caramel coating adds a rich sweetness, while the Chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts provide a satisfying salty crunch.
- Make It Ahead of Time: It keeps well at room temperature for weeks, so it's a great way to save time when you're getting ready for a party or get-together.
- Versatility: You can add various nuts, pretzels, candies or even chocolate chips to tailor it to your liking.
- Addictive Quality: The combination of sweet and salty flavors, along with the satisfying crunch, can be highly addictive.
Ingredients in Caramel Chex Mix
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Bugles: Part of the base structure of the mix, contributing to it's crispy and crunchy texture and savory appeal.
- Rice Chex Cereal: Part of the base and structure of the mix, contributing a crispy and crunchy texture.
- Tiny Pretzel Twists: Their saltiness complements the sweetness of the caramel, creating that perfect sweet-and-salty contrast.
- Brown Sugar: Primary source of sweetness in caramel sauce, giving off a molasses like flavor.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and a creamy texture to the caramel sauce. It also contributes to the flavor, providing a buttery, indulgent taste.
- Light Corn Syrup: Helps prevent the sugar from crystallizing during the caramelization process.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall taste and makes it more fragrant.
- Baking Soda: Creates a bubbly, airy texture resulting in a lighter and less dense caramel sauce.
Tools You'll Need
- Roasting Pan or Half Size or 12"x17" Sheet Pan
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Small Saucepan
- Parchment Paper
- Liquid Measuring Cups
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
How to make Caramel Christmas Crunch
- In a large roasting pan, combine Bugles, Chex and pretzels.
- To a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil.
- Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda.
- Pour the syrup over the cereal mixture, and toss until all of the pieces are coated well.
- Bake at 375˚F 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. If baking on a sheet pan, check for doneness at 10 as it’s spread thinner and could be done more quickly.
- Carefully transfer the hot mix onto parchment paper on a countertop. Once the mix has completely cooled, break into pieces.
Tips and Substitutions
- Availability: If you don’t have Bugles in you’re area, corn chips can be used instead.
- Even Coating: Ensure that the caramel sauce coats all the ingredients evenly.
- Stirring During Baking: Stir the mix every 5 minutes while it's baking to prevent it from clumping and ensure an even caramel coating. If baking on a sheet pan, check for doneness at 10 as it’s spread thinner and could be done more quickly.
- Cool Thoroughly: Allow the Caramel Chex Mix to cool completely on the parchment paper. This helps the caramel set and gives you the perfect crunch.
- Cereal: While Chex cereal is my favorite choice for this Christmas Crunch recipe, you can experiment with other cereals like Cheerios or Crispix for different textures and flavors.
- Nuts: An optional add-in, nuts or seeds, such as almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds can add fiber, healthy fat, and an added crunch.
- Add-In Options: Feel free to add your favorite seasonal candy or baking chips to the mix once it's cooled and been broken into clusters.
- Pretzels: Feel free to use different types of pretzels in your mix, like pretzel sticks or twists. This Reindeer Chow is a pretzel, candy, chocolate packed treat that we love to make during the holidays too!
- Savory Variation: If you prefer a more savory twist, you can sprinkle a touch of sea salt on the mix once your transfer it to the parchment paper to cool.
Storage
Store your homemade caramel Chex mix in an airtight container to keep it fresh. It should last for up to 3-4 weeks at room temperature, but it's so delicious that it often disappears much faster!
FAQs
Some common reasons why this happen are cooking the mixture for too long or at too high a temperature, if the sugar concentration is too high, not enough liquid or if it's added too slowly, inadequate stirring, substituting the corn syrup with another sweetener, cooling it too quickly or cooking at a high humidity.
Yes, corn syrup can be substituted in a caramel Chex mix recipe, although it may affect the flavor and texture of the final product. Corn syrup is often used in caramel because it helps prevent crystallization and contributes to a smoother texture. When substituting corn syrup, you can consider using golden syrup, honey, maple syrup or agave nectar.
Baking soda is an alkaline substance that reacts with the caramelized sugar in the presence of heat. This reaction causes the caramel to expand and become aerated, resulting in a lighter and softer texture. It transforms the caramel from a dense, chewy texture to a smoother, more delicate consistency. It also helps prevent sugar crystals from forming in the caramel.
Allow the mix to cool on the parchment paper for about 20-30 minutes. During this time, it will begin to firm up as it cools.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free Chex cereal, pretzels, and ensure that all brands of ingredients for your add-in options are gluten-free.
More Sweet Recipes
Caramel Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 4 cups Bugles
- 4 cups rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup tiny pretzel twists
- ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup salted butter
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- In a large roasting pan, combine Bugles, Chex and pretzels.
- To a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda.
- Pour the syrup over the cereal mixture, and toss until all of the pieces are coated well.
- Bake 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. If baking on a sheet pan, check for doneness at 10 as it’s spread thinner and could be done more quickly.
- Carefully transfer the hot mix onto parchment paper on a countertop. Once the mix has completely cooled, break into pieces.
Video
Notes
-
- Availability:If you don’t have bugles in you’re area, corn chips can be used instead.
- Even Coating: Ensure that the caramel sauce coats all the ingredients evenly.
-
- Stirring During Baking: Stir the mix every 5 minutes while it's baking to prevent it from clumping and ensure an even caramel coating.
-
- Cool Thoroughly: Allow the Caramel Chex Mix to cool completely on the parchment paper. This helps the caramel set and gives you the perfect crunch.
-
- Cereal: While Chex cereal is my favorite choice for this Christmas Crunch recipe, you can experiment with other cereals like Cheerios or Crispix for different textures and flavors.
-
- Nuts: An optional add-in, nuts or seeds, such as almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds can add fiber, healthy fat, and an added crunch.
-
- Add-In Options: Feel free to add your favorite seasonal candy or baking chips to the mix once it's cooled and been broken into clusters.
-
- Pretzels: Feel free to use different types of pretzels in your mix, like pretzel sticks or twists.
-
- Savory Variation: If you prefer a savory twist, you can sprinkle a touch of sea salt on the mix once your transfer it to the parchment paper to cool.
Jules
We just love snacks like this. I made a batch for tailgating and it disappeared so quickly that I'll double it next time.
Laura Ashley
Doubling up is definitely a good idea! I'm so happy you liked it!
Kathryn
This caramel mix was just what I was craving. I'll be snacking on this all season long and I want to make this for gifts during the holidays. Can't wait!
Laura Ashley
YAY!! Thank you SO much!! I'm so happy you liked it too!
Lynn
This was SO GOOD! I love that the sticky parts aren't so sticky that they stay in your teeth-- perfect texture!
Laura Ashley
YAY!! I'm so happy you liked the crunch of it too!!
Ellen
I made this for a recent road trip snack. It was a hit and didn't last long. This will be a great hostess gift at the holidays.
Laura Ashley
AWESOME!! Road trip treat...that is PERFECT!
Judy Raymond
How many Bugles, you did not say.?????If this ia a 10 cup recipe.
Laura Ashley
4 cups of Bugles. The measurements for everything are at the bottom of the recipe in the recipe card. I hope you love it!
Kathi
I thought I had lost this recipe, so glad I found it again. Making it again for neighbor gifts this year!!!
Laura Ashley
Sweet!!! I'm so happy you have it again! You're going to have some happy neighbors!!
Liza
Ohhh, this is our new favorite snack mix!! I love that you put crunchy Bugles in the mix, and the sweet-salty flavors are absolutely divine!
Laura Ashley
YAY!! I'm so happy it's a new fave! That salty sweet mix of flavors is tough to beat!
Mindy S
Omg this was so good I cannot stop eating them!!! Yum!
Laura Ashley
Thank you!! It really is an addictive treat! 🙂
Debi
My mom used to make chex mix when I was a kid. She never made them this fancy and I love that this is a sweet treat that isn't too sweet.
Laura Ashley
Aww!! I love that she made it for you and that you like this sweet spin on it!
Kathleen
You had me at bugles!!! Oh, and caramel made this for my neighbors, and it was a hit!
Laura Ashley
FANTASTIC!! I love that you made it for your neighbors and that they liked it so much! THANK YOU!
M Denis
Omg these were so good everyone was fighting over them lol. GREAT RECIPE!
Laura Ashley
LOL!! A kind of fighting I'll condone HAHA! I'm so happy it was such a hit!
Janelle
Made a test batch this week and it is PHENOMINAL. We are going to pass it out to our neighbors as Christmas gifts! Thanks for another tasty recipe!
Laura Ashley
That is FANTASTIC!! I love that you made them and that they were such a hit! THANK YOU!
Patti Grant
375 is way to hot. I would do 250 instead.
Laura Ashley
It's not too hot for my recipe as it creates the perfect caramelization and crunch, but you could try 250 with your recipe and adapt the rest of the recipe as well.
Louanne Bertrand
I made this just before Christmas for a work potluck. Everyone loved it and wanted the recipe. Since then I've made it twice more! So easy and delicious 😋
Laura Ashley
That is AWESOME!! Thank you so much! I'm so happy it was such a big hit!
Debbie Deal
I made this at Christmas. I loved it better than plain ol regular party mix. It's a keeper!
Laura Ashley
Oh that is WONDERFUL, Debbie! I'm so happy you like it so much!
Kathi Johnson
This would make great teacher gifts! I am saving this recipe and can't wait to try it!
Laura Ashley
Thank you so much! 🙂 They'll love it for sure!
Susan Van Atta
I love all your of wonderful recipes and videos!
Laura Ashley
You're so sweet! Thank you SO much!!!🥰 that means a lot to me!