Neither Andy or my teams play in the Superbowl this year (Packers & 49ers) but I remain have a football loving husband who likes to miss a game. (It will have this year if I'm in the work of course!) But I hope we will look with a baby in our arms that would be just perfect. (And you can bet I affublant him in his little Packers pjs even if they are not in the game!) This sweet and salty mix snack is a huge crowd pleaser and the perfect thing to bring a Superbowl party or get together with people who love this blend of flavors as much as we do. The basic idea starts like caramel corn but pretzels, cereals, nuts and M & Ms are also thrown in- create delicious salty goodness caramely clusters. He made a good portion size, it is easy to throw together, and lasts at least a week- making it a perfect treat "ahead of time" to bring to your Sunday meet.
PS it's so weird to write these blog posts in advance not knowing if I'll have a baby when you read it. I made it there few weeks, but now would like to have as my sweet and salty cravings were out of control !!
- 2 liter popcorn (8 cups)
- 3 cups mini pretzels
- 3 cups Chex cereals
- 1 cup toasted almonds
- 1 cup M & M candies (or chocolate chips)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ½ cup butter
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 extract teaspoon vanilla
- sea salt to water (I like using something a little coarse or flaky)
- spray large baking sheet with cooking spray. Add popcorn and place in a preheated oven at 250 degrees F for preparing caramel oven. (This dries out a bit making extra crispy!)
- Mix brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Boil 3-5 minutes without stirring, or until it begins to darken a little color. Remove from fire. Stir in baking soda and vanilla; mix well.
- Take popcorn from the oven and add the pretzels, cereal and nuts in baking sheet- spread in an even layer.
- Pour caramel mixture over the snack ingredients as regularly as possible and sprinkle generously with sea salt. Mix a little caramel on to tie the all ingredients.
- Bake for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Add M & Ms. Break large clumps apart and store in an airtight container up to one week