Crispy Cereal Nut Clusters (Printable)
Golden clusters combining crunchy cereal, nuts, and caramel for a sweet, buttery snack.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups cornflakes cereal
02 - 1 cup salted peanuts or mixed nuts
03 - 1 cup mini pretzels, broken into pieces
→ Caramel Coating
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter
05 - ½ cup packed light brown sugar
06 - ¼ cup honey or light corn syrup
07 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - ¼ teaspoon salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mix together the cornflakes, peanuts, and pretzels until evenly distributed.
03 - Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, honey, and salt, stirring constantly until the mixture boils. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
04 - Pour the warm caramel mixture over the dry ingredients and gently toss until everything is thoroughly coated.
05 - Spread the coated mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and fragrant.
06 - Remove from oven and allow the clusters to cool completely on the baking sheet, where they will crisp up. Break into clusters before serving.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- It's like a little secret treat you can whip up anytime that feels homemade with minimal effort
- The mix of textures from crunchy cornflakes to salty peanuts makes every bite exciting
02 -
- Don't rush the simmering step for the caramel; it's what deepens the flavor and gives the right texture
- Using parchment paper is a game-changer to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze
03 -
- If you want perfectly even coating, gently fold rather than stir aggressively
- The vanilla extract is the secret ingredient that elevates the flavor beyond typical caramel treats