Caramel Chex Mix aka Bruin Mix

Yesterday was the BIG game and I am late for the blog party.

Forgive me Mary from Food Librarian and Linda from Tender Crumb. I am sure you have those annoying friends that are always fashionably late right? Well… add me to that list. When I leave the house I always feel like I am forgetting something and run back to double-triple check which of course doesnt help the late factor. Sorry, punctuality is not a quality I possess much to the frustration of my husband.

By now you’ve probably seen the UCLA-USC score so you’ll understand why I am recovering from a post pity party hangover. They gave a valiant effort but alas they could not overcome. I did learn something at the party though. I love chocolate martinis! Mmmm…

… and the food was awesome. LOL

Bring on basketball season!

Recipe adapted from Baking Blonde

INGREDIENTS

12 cups Crispex Cereal
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1 stick of butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
Dash of salt
3/4 cup chopped pecans*
3/4 cup almonds*
3/4 cup honey roasted peanuts*
1 cup M&M candies (plain, peanut and/or peanut butter)*
1 cup mini marshmallows*

* You can adjust the amount to your taste. I really don’t measure anymore. I just kinda throw as much or as little as I want in. Sometimes I mix it up with walnuts or Reeces pieces too.

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 250F.

Line a very large roasting pan (or two rimmed cookie sheets) with quick release foil and lightly spray with PAM.

In a medium size sauce pan over low/medium low heat, stir together the syrup, butter and brown sugar. Stir constantly until melted and sugar has dissolved. Place the cereal, pecans, almonds and honey roasted nuts into the prepared roasting pan or cookie sheets. Carefully pour the brown sugar mixture over the cereal and nuts. Use a butter spatula to toss and coat the cereal and nuts completely with the brown sugar mixture. Evenly sprinkle lightly with salt.

Bake for 45 minutes removing every 10 minutes to gently toss with a buttered pair of tongs or spatula to ensure even baking/browning. While snack mix is baking, spread a few large sheets of parchment paper on counter. After mixture has finished baking, turn mixture out onto parchment making sure to spread out to prevent large clumps to cool. Add the M&M candies and marshmallows. Stir to combine.

Gently toss every 15 minutes to prevent further clumping together, breaking up clumps as needed. Store in airtight container.

ENJOY!

Husband rating: A+
He’s not a caramel fan but he loves to munch on this snack. He says its very addicting and he challenges anyone to eat just one handful.

Wifey rating: A+
I only make this when I am going to parties or pot lucks b/c if I have this laying around the house I’d eat the whole bag myself. Its TOO good.

Other rating: A+
Whenever I bring this to parties my friends go nuts. I always have requests for the recipe and there’s never any leftovers no matter if I double or triple the recipe. It has fondly been renamed: Crack mix. Of course the USC fans at the party wouldn’t eat the blue M&Ms. One die-hard fan even went out and bought red M&Ms. Sheesh. HAHA.