Crispy Crunch Sweet Salty (Printable)
Sweet and salty clusters with caramel, nuts, and crunchy pretzels for easy snacking.
# What You'll Need:
→ Base
01 - 3 cups cornflakes cereal
02 - 2 cups mini pretzels
03 - 1 cup salted peanuts
→ Caramel Sauce
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
05 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
06 - 1/4 cup light corn syrup
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Optional Toppings
09 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips
10 - 1/4 cup shredded coconut
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cornflakes, pretzels, and salted peanuts. Set aside.
03 - Melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly until smooth and slightly thickened.
04 - Remove the caramel sauce from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Pour the caramel sauce over the cereal mixture and gently toss until evenly coated.
06 - Spread the coated mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through until golden and crisp.
07 - Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. While still warm, sprinkle with chocolate chips and/or shredded coconut if desired.
08 - Once cooled, break into clusters. Store in an airtight container.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's like giving your taste buds a cozy hug with every crunchy bite
- The perfect snack to share that makes you look like a kitchen wizard without much effort
02 -
- Using light corn syrup is key to keeping your caramel smooth and prevents it from grainy texture surprise
- Don't skip stirring halfway through baking to ensure even crispness and prevent burning at the edges
03 -
- Be patient and keep the heat moderate when cooking caramel to avoid burning and bitterness
- The gentle toss right after mixing caramel makes all clusters evenly coated and perfectly crisp