Praline Crunch
A buttery, caramel-coated mix of cereal, pecans, and brown sugar goodness — tastes just like a pecan praline in snack form!
Ingredients:
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8 cups Crispix cereal (or a mix of Crispix, Chex, or Cornflakes)
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2 cups pecan halves
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1 cup packed brown sugar
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1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
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1/4 cup light corn syrup (or honey)
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1/2 tsp baking soda
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Optional: pinch of cinnamon or a splash of bourbon for a flavor twist
Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven:
Preheat to 250°F (120°C). Lightly grease or line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Base Ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the cereal and pecans.
3. Make the Praline Coating:
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In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup.
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Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
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Let boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla (it will foam a bit — that’s good!).
4. Coat the Mix:
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Immediately pour the hot mixture over the cereal and pecans.
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Gently toss to coat evenly (use a silicone spatula or wooden spoon).
5. Bake Low & Slow:
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Spread mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to coat and crisp.
6. Cool & Break Apart:
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Let cool completely on the pan — it will crisp up as it cools.
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Break into clusters and store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Serving Ideas:
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Pack in treat bags for gifting
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Serve in bowls for parties or game day
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Sprinkle over vanilla ice cream or yogurt