Chocolate and Caramel Chex Mix

This is another one of those recipes that I would love to claim for my own, but cannot: I stole it one from my older sister. February of 2011 my sister Delsa developed her own version of General Mills' Turtle Chex Mix. In her own words:

I love the turtle chex mix you can buy at the store, but it's expensive. So today I created my own recipe (pretty similar). I made it in a small batch,I think, but these are the approximate proportions that I used. Be warned, it is addicting, but delicious.

I have been making it for parties and for family ever since, but have made a couple changes to adapt it to my tastes. It's been a long time since I had the "official" version, but this one is tasty enough that I don't miss it at all.

Skip the tutorial and go straight to the recipe.

Step 1:

Place 1/4 cup popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag, fold the top a couple times, and microwave for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, until the popping slows to once every 2-5 seconds. Remove, and set aside.
If you are uncomfortable with using the microwave to pop your popcorn or are out of paper bags, use an air popper, or whatever other method you have for getting plain popcorn.

Step 2a:

In a medium-large sauce pan, combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 Tbsp milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Allow to boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Trust me, you will need a good sized sauce pan because eventually the caramel is going to bubble up and you don't want sticky hot caramel all over your stove. Right?

Step 2b:

While the caramel is boiling for 3 minutes, combine 2 cups corn Chex cereal and 2 cups popcorn in a large bowl.
To make the next step easier, I sprayed the bowl with a light coat of cooking spray.

Step 3:

After the three minutes are up, remove the caramel from the heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4 tsp baking soda.
The caramel will start to expand and lighten in color.

Immediately pour over the cereal and popcorn and stir to combine.

Step 4:

Spread the mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet and slide into a 250°F oven for 15 minutes.

Step 5:

In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 2 Tbsp cocoa powder.

Step 6:

Melt 3 Tbsp butter and add to the cocoa-sugar mixture.


Add the remaining Chex cereal and popcorn and stir to combine. Set aside.

Step 7:

When the caramel cereal and popcorn come out of the oven, allow to cool slightly and break up any big pieces.
Then toss with the chocolate pieces, along with M&M's, peanuts, and pretzel pieces.

Chocolate and Caramel Chex Mix:Yields 1 gallon Chex mix

Stuffs	Caramel	Chocolate
1/4 cup popcorn kernels	1/2 cup brown sugar	1/4 cup powdered sugar
4 cups corn Chex cereal	1/4 cup salted butter	2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup pretzel sticks, broken into pieces	2 Tbsp milk	3 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup roasted peanuts	1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup M&M's candies	1 tsp Vanilla extract

Stuffs
1/4 cup popcorn kernels
4 cups corn Chex cereal
1/2 cup pretzel sticks, broken into pieces
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/2 cup M&M's candies
Caramel
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup salted butter
2 Tbsp milk
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp Vanilla extract
Chocolate
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
3 Tbsp butter

Place the popcorn in a brown paper bag, close with 2 staples, and microwave for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, or until popping slows to once every few seconds.
In a medium saucepan combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and milk and bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 3 minutes. Combine 2 cups Chex cereal and 2 cups popcorn in a large, lightly greased bowl. Remove caramel mixture from the heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla extract, then immediately pour over cereal and popcorn, and stir to combine. Spread on a parchment lined baking sheet and slide into a 250°F oven for 15 minutes.
Whisk together powdered sugar and cocoa powder in a large bowl. Melt 3 Tbsp butter and stir into sugar-cocoa mixture. Stir in remaining cereal and popcorn. Set aside.
When caramel pieces come out of the oven, allow to cool slightly, then break up large chunks. Toss with chocolate pieces, along with remaining ingredients.


This recipe was printed from Dinner in the Life of a Dad (samslaugh.blogspot.com)

Chocolate & Caramel Chex Mix 1 gallon Chex Mix Chex cereal and popcorn enrobed in fresh caramel and chocolate and blended with nuts, M&M's, and pretzel pieces. Beyond delicious and highly addictive! 1/4 cup popcorn kernels 4 cups corn Chex cereal 1/2 cup brown sugar 7 Tbsp salted butter 2 Tbsp milk 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 tsp Vanilla extract 1/4 cup powdered sugar 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 1/2 cup roasted peanuts 1/2 cup pretzel sticks, broken into pieces 1/2 cup M&M's candies Place the popcorn in a brown paper bag, close with 2 staples, and microwave for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, or until popping slows to once every few seconds. In a medium saucepan combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and milk and bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 3 minutes. Combine 2 cups Chex cereal and 2 cups popcorn in a large, lightly greased bowl. Remove caramel mixture from the heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla extract, then immediately pour over cereal and popcorn, and stir to combine. Spread on a parchment lined baking sheet and slide into a 250°F oven for 15 minutes. Whisk together powdered sugar and cocoa powder in a large bowl. Melt 3 Tbsp butter and stir into sugar-cocoa mixture. Stir in remaining cereal and popcorn. Set aside. When caramel pieces come out of the oven, allow to cool slightly, then break up large chunks. Toss with chocolate pieces, along with remaining ingredients.