Are you searching for a quick and delightful treat that combines the crunch of cereal with the richness of caramel? Look no further! Praline Crunch is a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s both easy to make and impossible to resist. Made with simple ingredients and ready in no time, this delightful snack will leave your family and friends asking for more. Let’s explore how you can whip up a batch of this delicious Praline Crunch at home!
Ingredients List
To make your very own Praline Crunch, you’ll need:
- 1 box (9.6 ounces) Crispix cereal
- 2 cups pecan halves
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Substitutions or additions? You can swap out the pecans for almonds or walnuts for a different flavor, and feel free to use margarine in place of butter if that’s what’s on hand. Your choice of cereal can also vary—other cereals like Rice Chex work wonderfully!
Timing
The total time to create this indulgent treat is approximately 90 minutes. This includes about 15 minutes for preparation and 1 hour of baking. Comparatively, that’s about 20% less time than the average dessert recipe, leaving you more time to enjoy the weekend with family!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 250°F. This ensures that your Praline Crunch will bake evenly and become perfectly crunchy.
Step 2: Combine Cereal and Pecans
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Crispix cereal and pecan halves. This combination will be the foundation of your crunchy treat.
Step 3: Make the Caramel Mixture
In a large saucepan, combine the light brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring regularly until it comes to a boil.
Step 4: Take It Off the Heat
Once the caramel mixture is boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat. This prevents it from burning and makes mixing easier.
Step 5: Add Flavor and Fluff
Stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. Watch as the mixture puffs up and becomes fluffy—this is a key step that adds wonderful texture!
Step 6: Combine with Cereal
Pour the hot caramel mixture over the cereal and pecans. Gently stir everything together until all the cereal is well-coated in the caramel.
Step 7: Pour into Baking Dish
Now, pour the sticky, sweet mixture onto a cookie sheet or baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect crunchy texture.
Step 9: Cool and Break
Once done, carefully pour the hot mixture onto a large sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before breaking it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 10: Enjoy Your Creation!
Let your Praline Crunch cool completely, then dig in or store it for later. It’s great for snacking!
Nutritional Information
This delectable Praline Crunch serves about 12, and here’s a quick glance at the nutritional rundown per serving:
- Calories: 250
- Total Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 100mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 39g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 15g
- Protein: 3g
Healthier Alternatives
If you’re looking to make this treat a bit healthier without sacrificing taste, consider these tips:
- Reduce Sugar: Use a sugar substitute or reduce the brown sugar by 1/4 cup.
- Add Dried Fruits: Incorporate raisins or cranberries for a burst of natural sweetness and added fiber.
- Use Whole Grain Cereal: Choose whole grain Crispix for more nutrients and fiber.
Serving Suggestions
Praline Crunch is so versatile! Here are some creative serving ideas:
- Gift it: Package it in a glass jar and give as a homemade gift!
- Breakfast Treat: Serve it over yogurt with fresh fruit for a delicious breakfast.
- Movie Night Snack: Set out a bowl during family movie night for a crunchy treat everyone will love!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Praline Crunch, avoid these common pitfalls:
- Not Stirring Enough: Failing to stir the caramel mixture could lead to burning, so keep a close eye and stir regularly.
- Skipping the Cooling Time: Allowing it to cool is essential; if you break it too soon, it may clump together.
Storing Tips
Keep your Praline Crunch fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. It can last for up to 2 weeks, making it a perfect make-ahead treat for gatherings or lunchboxes.
Conclusion
In summary, Praline Crunch is a delicious, easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion. It’s a delightful, crunchy snack that your family will love! So why not gather the ingredients and give this recipe a try? Your taste buds will thank you! Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments, and feel free to explore more tasty recipes on the blog!
FAQs
Can I use other types of nuts?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute pecans with almonds, walnuts, or even cashews for a different flavor profile.
How can I make Praline Crunch vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, simply choose a vegan butter substitute and omit the butter altogether or use coconut oil for a tasty alternative.
Can I add chocolate to it?
Yes! Drizzling melted chocolate over the cooled Praline Crunch can take its deliciousness to the next level.
Is this recipe safe for kids?
Yes! This recipe is generally safe for kids, but ensure they are supervised during the cooking steps, especially when dealing with hot caramel.
Can I make Praline Crunch ahead of time?
Definitely! Praline Crunch can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for a few weeks.
Feel free to revisit and enjoy this recipe any time you need a quick treat or a fun snacking option!
Print
Praline Crunch
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and delightful treat combining the crunch of cereal with the richness of caramel, perfect for snacking.
Ingredients
- 1 box (9.6 ounces) Crispix cereal
- 2 cups pecan halves
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the Crispix cereal and pecan halves.
- In a large saucepan, combine light brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring regularly until it comes to a boil.
- Once boiling, remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will puff up.
- Pour the hot caramel mixture over the cereal and pecans, stirring gently to coat.
- Pour the mixture onto a cookie sheet or baking dish and spread evenly.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
- Pour onto wax or parchment paper to cool before breaking into pieces.
- Cool completely, then enjoy or store for later.
Notes
For variation, swap pecans for almonds or walnuts; use margarine instead of butter if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: snack, dessert, caramel, cereal, crunchy