If you’re looking for a sweet treat that’s impossible to resist, let me introduce you to Caramel Crispix. This snack is everything you want in a quick, crowd-pleasing recipe—crispy cereal drenched in a rich, buttery caramel sauce that hardens into the most addictive bite! Whether you’re prepping for a party, craving a movie night snack, or just want something special to nibble on, Caramel Crispix will quickly become a go-to favorite. Trust me, one taste and you’ll see why it’s always a hit!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 12 cups Crispix cereal
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
That’s it! With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a sweet, crunchy masterpiece that will have everyone asking for more.
How to Make Caramel Crispix
1. Prepare the Cereal:
First things first, grab a large mixing bowl and pour in the 12 cups of Crispix cereal. Make sure your bowl is big enough for easy stirring once the caramel goes in—you don’t want to be chasing cereal across the counter!
2. Make the Caramel Sauce:
This caramel sauce is pure magic and comes together quickly. In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add 1 cup of packed brown sugar and 1 cup of light corn syrup. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, and the mixture is smooth.
Bring the caramel mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll know it’s ready when it thickens slightly and turns a rich amber color. Now, take the pan off the heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and ½ tsp baking soda. Watch out—it’ll bubble up and lighten, becoming soft and fluffy!
3. Coat the Cereal:
Time to work quickly! Pour the warm caramel sauce over the Crispix in the bowl. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold and toss the cereal until every piece is coated in the delicious caramel. Make sure you get all that good stuff on every bit!
4. Bake to Crispy Perfection:
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick foil to make cleanup a breeze. Spread the caramel-coated Crispix evenly across the sheets.
Pop the trays into the oven and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. This ensures the cereal gets evenly crisped, and the caramel stays smooth and perfectly crunchy.
5. Cool and Serve:
After baking, let the Caramel Crispix cool completely on the baking sheets. As it cools, it’ll harden into wonderfully crunchy clusters. Once cooled, break it into bite-sized pieces and store in an airtight container (if it lasts that long!).
Details And Nutritional Information
Details:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 cups
Nutrition (per serving):
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Helpful Tips
- Stir Often: Stirring the cereal every 15 minutes while it bakes helps the caramel evenly coat the cereal and prevents it from sticking.
- Work Fast with the Caramel: Once you add the baking soda, the caramel starts to fluff up, so you’ll want to pour it over the cereal right away before it cools.
- Use a Spatula: A silicone spatula works wonders for tossing the cereal in the caramel without breaking the Crispix into bits.
Substitutions and Variations
- Want more flavor? Add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel mixture before pouring it over the cereal for that sweet-and-salty combo.
- Mix-ins: You can add extras like mini chocolate chips, M&M’s, or nuts once the caramel Crispix cools. Try pretzels for a salty crunch or pecans and almonds for a nutty twist.
- Dietary Adjustments: Substitute butter with margarine or a dairy-free option to make it vegan-friendly (just check the Crispix cereal for allergens).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Caramel Crispix ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, it stores wonderfully in an airtight container for up to a week. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before storing to keep it nice and crunchy.
Can I use a different cereal?
Yes! If you don’t have Crispix on hand, you can substitute it with Chex or another similar cereal. The texture might vary slightly, but it’ll still be delicious.
Can I skip the oven step?
While you can eat it straight after coating the cereal with caramel, baking it helps it get that crunchy texture and ensures even coating. I definitely recommend taking the extra time to bake it!
Storage Instructions
Store Caramel Crispix in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay fresh and crunchy for up to one week, but let’s be real—it’ll probably be gone long before that! You can also freeze it for longer storage (up to 2 months). Just thaw it out at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!
I hope this Caramel Crispix recipe becomes a new favorite in your snack rotation! Give it a try and let me know how it turns out. Happy snacking!
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Caramel Crispix: Sweet, Crunchy & Perfect for Any Occasion!
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 cups 1x
Description
Caramel Crispix is a quick and easy snack made with Crispix cereal coated in a rich, buttery caramel sauce. Baked to a perfect crunch, it’s an irresistible treat for parties, movie nights, or whenever you crave something sweet and crunchy. Customize with your favorite mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor!
Ingredients
- 12 cups Crispix cereal
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Prepare the Cereal: In a large mixing bowl, place 12 cups of Crispix cereal.
- Make the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup, cooking until the mixture is smooth and the sugar is dissolved.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will bubble up and lighten in color.
- Coat the Cereal: Quickly pour the caramel sauce over the Crispix cereal. Toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
- Bake to Crisp: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or foil. Spread the coated cereal evenly on the sheets.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes for even crisping.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven, let cool completely, then break into bite-sized clusters. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Stir the cereal every 15 minutes while baking to ensure even coating and crispness.
- Add mix-ins like mini chocolate chips, pretzels, or nuts after the cereal cools for extra variety.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert