This sweet snack mix is the kind of treat that disappears almost as soon as you set it out. With crunchy Chex cereal squares and crispy rice cereal coated in a rich, buttery caramel-like glaze, every bite is sweet, crisp, and completely addictive. It has that perfect homemade charm-simple ingredients, easy prep, and a golden crunch that makes it ideal for parties, holidays, movie nights, or anytime snacking.
Ingredients
4 cups Rice Chex cereal
2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup Unsalted Butter
1 cup Light Brown Sugar packed
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoons Kosher Salt or coarse sea salt
Instructions
Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with high-quality parchment paper.
Combine Cereal: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the Rice Chex and Rice Krispies cereals. Set aside.
Start Caramel: In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add Flavorings: Once the butter is melted, stir in the brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir gently until the sugar begins to dissolve.
Boil: Bring the mixture to a steady, rolling boil while stirring continuously. Cook for exactly 2 to 3 minutes until the caramel noticeably thickens and lightens slightly in color.
Coat Cereal: Remove from heat immediately and pour the hot caramel over the cereal mixture. Gently toss with a silicone spatula until the cereal is evenly and completely coated.
Bake: Spread the coated mixture into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 7 to 9 minutes.
Cool: Remove from the oven. Allow the crackle to cool completely on the pan. Once completely cool and hardened to the touch, break into bite-sized clusters.
Store: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.
