Caramel Nut Crunch

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Let’s get after it with this Caramel Nut Crunch.

Took me long enough to get into the holiday spirit. Really up until last Wednesday I was still all “bah, humbug” about the whole thing, probably because work has been crazy, which rarely happens, so when it does I get in a mood about it. However, like a switch I was suddenly all about Christmas and I’m finally being able to see the wonder that I have been partially blind to thus far the last three or so weeks.

I think the reason that the holiday time is such a novelty is that no matter how you slice it, it is only here once a year. It’s the same reason that the first day Starbucks sells its pumpkin spice latte that social media is all a buzz. It just wouldn’t pack the same punch if we could get that same drink 24/7/365.  And if I listened to “All I Want for Christmas is you” throughout the year, I’d probably be switching it off come December.

Today I’m making for you one of my family’s once a year things. It’s nothing special, but then because it happens only once a year it is. It’s a Carmel Nut Crunch snack mix. It’s only got a handful of ingredients, but the golden caramel that coats them all make it hard to resist and, when nicely wrapped with a bow, makes the perfect homemade hostess gift. This was a particular favorite of my grandpa, and every year when I bust it out, I think of him.

Ingredient note: Because we hail from the great white land north of the border, the golden corn syrup we use comes from Canada. Rather than use white corn syrup, I’d suggest using honey or the same golden syrup from the Anzac biscuits, or maybe even a honey/maple syrup blend for an extra bit of sumpin’ sumpin’ if you can’t find this corn syrup. Actually, I may do the maple syrup thing next time I make it just for kicks.

Caramel Nut Crunch

December 20, 2014

Servings: 7c

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 40 min

Total: 1 hr 30 min

Difficulty: Easy

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Cheerios, almonds and pecans are coated in a homemade caramel and baked until golden and crunchy in this tasty caramel nut crunch.

By: Chrissy

Ingredients

• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup Beehive Golden Corn Syrup or honey
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ½ tsp salt
• 6 cups Cheerios
• 1 cup pecan halves
• ½ cup sliced or slivered almonds

Directions

• Step 1 Preheat the oven to 325F. Line two lipped-cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Step 2 In a small saucepan, heat the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt until the sugar is dissolved.
• Step 3 Place all the other ingredients in a large bowl.
• Step 4 Pour the syrup mixture over the cereal mixture and stir to coat thoroughly.
• Step 5 Bake until brown, about 30 minutes, stirring the mixture every 10 minutes.
• Step 6 Let cool one hour before packing in an airtight container.
• Step 7 If you can’t find the golden corn syrup, use honey or honey/maple syrup