Praline Crunch Recipe

Introduction

Praline Crunch is a delightful sweet snack, combining the satisfying crunch of cereal and pecans with a rich caramel glaze. It’s perfect for holiday treats, parties, or just a cozy snack anytime you crave something sweet and crunchy.

Ingredients

• 6 cups crispy rice or corn cereal (such as Chex)
• 2 cups pecan halves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cereal and pecan halves evenly.
3. Step 3: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
4. Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda carefully, as the mixture will bubble up.
5. Step 5: Pour the caramel glaze over the cereal and pecans. Gently stir until all pieces are evenly coated.
6. Step 6: Spread the coated mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Step 7: Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure the mixture crisps evenly without burning.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break into clusters and store in an airtight container.

Tips & Variations

• Use gluten-free cereal if you need a gluten-free snack option.
• Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper to the caramel for a subtle spicy twist.

Storage

Store the praline crunch in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. To keep it crunchy, avoid humid environments. Reheating is not necessary, but if it softens, a few minutes in a low oven can crisp it back up.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cereal?

Yes, any crispy rice or corn cereal works best to maintain crunch, but you can experiment with similar cereals like Cheerios or even granola for variation.

How do I prevent the caramel from burning?

Make sure to keep the heat at medium and stir constantly while boiling the caramel mixture. Simmer gently rather than boiling vigorously to avoid burning.

Praline Crunch Recipe

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4.9 from 136 reviews

Praline Crunch is a deliciously sweet and crunchy snack mix made with crispy cereal, toasted pecans, and a buttery caramel glaze. Baked to perfection, this treat offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors, perfect for snacking or gifting.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: About 8 cups 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crunch Mix

• 6 cups crispy rice or corn cereal (such as Chex)
• 2 cups pecan halves

Caramel Glaze

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the crispy cereal and pecan halves to evenly distribute the nuts throughout the mix.
3. Make Caramel Glaze: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the packed brown sugar and light corn syrup, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes while stirring continuously to ensure the sugar fully dissolves and the glaze thickens slightly.
4. Add Flavorings: Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. Be prepared for the mixture to bubble and foam slightly—this reaction helps create a light texture in the glaze.
5. Coat the Mix: Pour the warm caramel glaze over the cereal and pecan mixture. Gently stir everything together to ensure all the pieces are evenly coated with the sticky glaze.
6. Spread on Baking Sheet: Evenly spread the coated mix onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer to enable even baking and crisping.
7. Bake and Stir: Bake the mixture in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. This frequent stirring ensures the praline crunch bakes evenly and achieves a uniform crisp texture without burning.
8. Cool and Store: Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the praline crunch to cool completely on the baking sheet. When cool, break it into pieces and store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crunch.

Notes

• Use a low oven temperature to slowly bake the mixture, which helps develop a perfect crunch without burning the caramel.
• Stirring every 15 minutes during baking is crucial to coat all pieces evenly and prevent sticking.
• Ensure the pecans are fresh and not salted for the best flavor balance.
• Store the praline crunch in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it crisp for up to two weeks.
• For variations, try substituting pecans with other nuts like almonds or walnuts.

Keywords: praline crunch, caramel snack mix, pecan snack, crunchy cereal recipe, sweet snack mix