Praline Crunch Recipe
Praline Crunch is a delightful and crunchy snack mix combining crispy rice or corn cereal with toasted pecans coated in a rich, buttery caramel glaze. Baked to perfection for an hour, this sweet treat is perfect for parties, gifting, or satisfying your sweet tooth with a satisfying crunch.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: About 10 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Snack 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
- Preheat the oven: Set 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.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the crispy rice or corn cereal along with the pecan halves, mixing them together evenly.
- Make the caramel glaze: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the packed brown sugar and light corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add flavor and leavening: Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will bubble up slightly, which is normal and helps create a light texture.
- Coat the cereal and pecans: Pour the hot caramel glaze over the cereal and pecan mixture. Gently stir to ensure every piece is evenly coated with the caramel.
- Prepare for baking: Spread the caramel-coated snack mix evenly on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer to allow even cooking.
- Bake the praline crunch: Place the tray in the oven and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. This stirring helps the mix crisp up evenly without burning.
- Cool and store: Once baked, remove the tray from the oven and allow the praline crunch to cool completely on the baking sheet. After cooling, break into clusters or pieces and store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Stirring every 15 minutes while baking is key to avoid burning and achieve even crispness.
- This snack mix can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks if kept in an airtight container.
- You can substitute pecans with other nuts like almonds or walnuts based on preference.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the cereal you use is certified gluten-free.
Keywords: Praline Crunch, snack mix, caramel snack, pecan snack, homemade pralines, caramel coated cereal, sweet crunchy snack