Description
Praline Crunch is a sweet and crunchy treat combining crispy cereal and pecan halves coated in a rich caramel glaze. This delightful snack features a perfect balance of buttery sweetness with a satisfying nutty crunch, baked to a golden finish for a classic praline flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 8 cups Crispix cereal
- 2 cups pecan halves (salted)
- ½ tsp baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) to prepare for baking the praline mixture evenly.
- Combine Cereal and Pecans: In a large bowl, mix together the Crispix cereal and salted pecan halves to ensure an even distribution of nuts in the final snack.
- Make Caramel Mixture: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Stir occasionally and bring the mixture to a boil, allowing it to meld into a smooth caramel.
- Add Flavorings: Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The baking soda will cause the mixture to bubble, creating a lighter texture.
- Coat Cereal Mixture: Pour the hot caramel mixture over the cereal and pecans in the large bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat every piece evenly with the caramel mixture.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the coated cereal and nut mixture into a greased or lined 9×13-inch baking pan, spreading it out evenly for consistent baking.
- Bake and Stir: Bake the mixture in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes to prevent clumping and promote even caramelization.
- Cool the Snack: When baking is complete, carefully pour the hot Praline Crunch mixture onto wax or parchment paper. Allow it to cool completely, which will help it harden into crunchy clusters.
- Break and Serve: Once cooled and set, break the praline crunch into pieces and enjoy this sweet, crunchy snack.
Notes
- Use salted pecans for added flavor; if unsalted, add a pinch of salt to the caramel mixture.
- Stirring during baking prevents the praline from hardening into one large clump.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crunch.
- Be cautious when handling the hot caramel mixture to avoid burns.
- Substitute corn syrup with maple syrup or honey for a different flavor profile, though texture may vary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
