Description
This Toffee Chex Mix is a delightful combination of crunchy Chex cereal, toasted pecans, and rich caramel, all baked to perfection and drizzled with melted semi-sweet chocolate. It’s a sweet, crunchy snack that’s perfect for parties, gifting, or enjoying anytime you crave a nostalgic treat with a homemade twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cereal & Nuts
- 9 cups Chex cereal (any combination of Rice, Corn, or Wheat)
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
Caramel Coating
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cereal and Nuts: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Chex cereal and chopped pecans; set this aside while you prepare the caramel.
- Make Caramel Base: Melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the packed brown sugar and salt until the mixture begins to boil. Allow it to boil for 2-3 minutes without stirring for the perfect caramel consistency.
- Add Flavor and Leavening: Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and baking soda. The mixture will bubble vigorously, which helps create a light texture.
- Coat the Cereal Mix: Pour the hot caramel mixture over the Chex cereal and pecans, gently stirring to evenly coat every piece of cereal and nut with the caramel.
- Prepare for Baking: Spread the caramel-coated Chex mix onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer to ensure thorough baking.
- Bake the Mix: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Every 15 minutes, stir the mixture gently to promote even baking and coating.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the Chex mix to cool completely on the sheet. This cooling helps the caramel to set.
- Melt Chocolate: While the mix cools, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl using 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth and fully melted.
- Drizzle Chocolate: Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled Chex mix with a spoon or piping bag to add a rich finishing touch.
- Set and Store: Allow the chocolate to set completely before breaking the mix into pieces. Store the finished Toffee Chex Mix in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- For extra crunch, ensure you stir the mix every 15 minutes during baking.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to avoid sticking and make cleanup easier.
- You can substitute the pecans with any other nuts like walnuts or almonds based on preference.
- Store the mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to keep it fresh for up to two weeks.
- Microwaving chocolate in short intervals prevents burning and results in a smoother texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Toffee Chex Mix, Chex Snack Recipe, Caramel Chex Mix, Chocolate Drizzled Snack, Homemade Party Mix
