Description
This Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix is a flavorful fall-inspired snack mix combining crunchy cereals, pretzels, pecans, and dried cranberries coated in a sweet and spicy pumpkin glaze. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy snacking, or gifting during the autumn season.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 4 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 2 cups pretzel sticks
- 1 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) to prepare for baking the snack mix.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently mix together the Rice Chex, Wheat Chex, pretzel sticks, pecans, and dried cranberries to distribute evenly.
- Prepare Pumpkin Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in brown sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract, continuing to stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Coat Mix: Pour the warm pumpkin glaze over the dry cereal and nut mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the glaze.
- Spread on Baking Sheet: Spread the coated mixture evenly across a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to promote even cooking and prevent burning.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the mixture to cool completely on the baking sheet. This cooling process will help the mixture crisp up perfectly.
- Store: Once cooled, transfer the Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix to an airtight container for storage to maintain freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Stirring every 15 minutes during baking is crucial to prevent burning and ensure even coating.
- Make sure the mix cools completely before storing to preserve crispness.
- You can customize the nuts or dried fruits according to preference.
- Use parchment paper for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- This mix makes a great homemade gift during the holiday season.
