Caramel Crispix Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Tiffany · As an Amazon Associate, I earn referral fees from products I love and recommend at no extra cost to you.

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This is a recipe for caramel Crispix with homemade caramel sauce mixed in. It’s the perfect no-bake dessert!

Caramel Crispix Recipe (1)

Caramel Crispix is so delicious and addicting!

It’s the perfect snack to serve for holiday family get-togethers, and work parties, packaged as a Valentine’s Day treat for your sweetheart, kids to take to school, a snack for the Superbowl, or enjoying on movie night with family. They will all love it!

It makes a decent big batch to share. My in-laws love it when I make it for holiday gifts.

Want more fall desserts? Check out these fun fall cupcakes!

Caramel Crispix Recipe (2)

Ingredients for Caramel Crispix

  • Crispix Cereal
  • Butter
  • Brown Sugar
  • Light Corn Syrup
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Baking Soda

How to Make Caramel Crispix

  • Start off by lining a baking sheet with either wax paper or parchment paper. If you go with parchment paper I recommend spraying it with non-stick cooking spray to keep it from sticking.
  • Pour Crispix cereal into a large bowl.
  • Next, you’ll melt the butter over the stove in a tall pot over medium-high heat (it will double in volume after adding the baking soda at the end). Add brown sugar to the pot. Bring it to a boil to fully dissolve the brown sugar.
Caramel Crispix Recipe (3)
  • Stir in the corn syrup and vanilla extract. Let it come to a boil again. Add baking soda and continue whisking until it becomes more foamy and doubles in volume.
  • Pour caramel mixture over Crispix in the bowl and stir to coat.
Caramel Crispix Recipe (4)
  • To prevent clumping, stir again after a few minutes. Be careful not to stir too much or too vigorously because the cereal will start crumbling.
  • Allow to fully cool before adding to an airtight container. I like to let mine sit out for at least an hour to fully dry and this helps prevent sticking once it’s in a container.
Caramel Crispix Recipe (5)

It cools rather quickly. You’ll be able to package it up in no time (or start eating it!)

What if my cereal turns out sticky?

This snack does have a slight stickiness to it but overall is not meant to turn out sticky like syrup.

If it’s extra sticky, it’s because the baking soda was not added to the caramel syrup on the stovetop and allowed to become foamy and double in volume.

If the baking soda is not added, it remains a caramel syrup and therefore makes very sticky caramel cereal.

In the end, the cereal should have a nice crunch with a caramel coating and can easily be separated into pieces as you stir it.

Add-ins

Want to add some goodies to this snack mix?

Try adding pretzels, peanuts, pecans, or other cereals like Chex.

If you plan to add M&Ms, candy corn, or marshmallows it’d be a good idea to let the caramel cool a little bit before adding so they do not melt. I recommend sprinkling them on top of the cereal after it’s been added to the pans to cool, then carefully mix them in.

Movie Night Snack Ideas

  • Caramel Crispix
  • Chex Mix
  • Corn and Black Bean Salsa with Tortilla Chips
  • Easy Dessert Party Cheese Balls
  • Easy Party Cheese Balls
  • M&M’s
  • Peanuts
  • Popcorn
Caramel Crispix Recipe (6)

Try these other sweet treats!

  • Butterscotch Blondies
  • Caramel Cupcakes
  • Caramel Cupcakes with Caramel Filling
  • Honey Cinnamon Butter Monkey Bread
  • Iced Pumpkin Bread
  • Pecan Tassies
  • Salted Caramel Cheesecake with Oreo Crust
  • Scotcheroos
Caramel Crispix Recipe (7)

Caramel Crispix Recipe

This is a recipe for caramel Crispix that's perfect for holidays, a treat for school, movie night, or a simple snack to munch on. It's the perfect no-bake dessert!

4.47 from 101 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 27 Servings

Author: Tiffany

Ingredients

  • 18 oz box of Crispix, The big family size, ~13.5 cups of cereal
  • 1 cup Butter
  • 2 cups Brown Sugar, packed
  • ½ cup Lite Corn Syrup
  • ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with wax paper or if using parchment paper spray with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pour Crispix cereal into a large bowl.

  • Melt butter in a tall saucepan or pot over medium-high heat. The caramel will double in volume once the baking soda is added in the next step. Add brown sugar and bring to a boil, while continuing to stir.

  • Once boiling, stir in corn syrup and vanilla extract. Let it come to a boil again. Add baking soda and continue whisking until it becomes more foamy and doubles in volume. Pour mixture over Crispix in the bowl and stir to coat.

  • Immediately pour the cereal onto the prepared baking sheet to cool. To prevent clumping, stir again after a few minutes. Be careful not to stir too much or too vigorously because the cereal will start crumbling.

  • Allow to fully cool before adding to an airtight container. I like to let mine sit out for at least an hour to fully dry and this helps prevent sticking once it's in a container.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn referral fees from products I love and recommend at no extra cost to you.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5 CupCalories: 188 kcalCarbohydrates: 32 gProtein: 2 gFat: 7 gSaturated Fat: 4 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1 gMonounsaturated Fat: 2 gTrans Fat: 1 gCholesterol: 18 mgSodium: 193 mgPotassium: 94 mgFiber: 2 gSugar: 18 gVitamin A: 411 IUVitamin C: 2 mgCalcium: 56 mgIron: 6 mg

More Desserts

  • Easy Easter Candy Bark
  • Libby’s Pumpkin Roll Recipe
  • Libby’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
  • Thick Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hi, I’m Tiffany!

Caramel Crispix Recipe (12)I'm the recipe developer and food photographer behind Simply Happenings. I'm also a wife, mom to two adventurous little boys, registered nurse, and live in the great Midwest. I like to feature quick 30-minute dinners, one-pot meals, and delicious recipes you can cook with all of your favorite household appliances. Read More →

Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Caramel Crispix Recipe (13)Nickie

    I want to make this for my co-workers for Christmas. Can you add peanuts or pretzels to it?

    Reply

    • Caramel Crispix Recipe (14)Tiffany

      Hi Nickie,

      Yes, peanuts and pretzels make great additions. Add them in at the same time you add the Crispix cereal. I would leave out the amount of Crispix for however much of the peanuts and pretzels you plan to add so there is enough caramel coating.

      Merry Christmas!
      -Tiffany

      Reply

  2. Caramel Crispix Recipe (15)Sam

    Why is it still super sticky after it is cool?

    Reply

    • Caramel Crispix Recipe (16)Tiffany

      I’ve encountered exactly what you’re referring to before!

      The trick to keeping the caramel from being too sticky later is, while in the saucepan, adding the baking soda and allowing it to foam up while the pot is still boiling hot. (See my above photos to see what it should look like.)
      This prevents it from being a sticky caramel sauce and more of a foamy substance. It should still be foamy when added to the Crispix cereal and as it cools, it sets and becomes a firmer coating.

      Reply

  3. Caramel Crispix Recipe (17)Pat Means

    The taste is great and easy to make! How do you store it??

    Reply

    • Caramel Crispix Recipe (18)Tiffany

      Hi Pat,
      I’m so glad you are enjoying the caramel Crispix! For storing, I recommend using an airtight container like a large tupperware container or a large ziploc bag. I typically use tupperware whenever I make it. If you happen to have a large metal canister from popcorn, those work great too! I’d store it for up to 5-7 days.
      Let me know if you have any questions!
      -Tiffany

      Reply

Caramel Crispix Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why add corn syrup to caramel? ›

Why do I add corn syrup? Corn syrup acts as an "interfering agent" in this and many other candy recipes. It contains long chains of glucose molecules that tend to keep the sucrose molecules in the candy syrup from crystallizing. Lots of sucrose crystals would results in grainy caramels.

Why is my homemade chex mix soggy? ›

Using too much liquid. Don't go over the recipe's suggested liquid amounts; that is a sure way to get soggy mix (which, again, nobody wants). Follow this tip: If you need to make a change in liquid ingredients, just keep the amount the same.

What is a substitute for Crispix cereal? ›

Use Chex cereal instead of Crispix cereal.

If you're using Chex, I recommend a combination of different Chex cereals (such as a few cups rice chex, a few cups wheat chex, and a few cups corn chex). That way you get the same flavor variety that you taste in Crispix, since Crispix includes both rice and corn.

What is a good substitute for corn syrup in caramel? ›

Golden Syrup

It has the same light color and sweet flavors, and is also an invert sugar, making it a good candidate for candies. Try it as a 1:1 substitute for corn syrup the next time you want to make peanut brittle or soft and chewy caramel candies.

Why shouldn't you stir sugar when making caramel? ›

Like dry caramel, you want to gently move the sugar mixture in that same side-to-side paintbrush-like fashion until the sugar dissolves. Then, as soon as the mixture comes to a boil, it should not be stirred, as the agitation can cause crystallization.

Is it cheaper to buy Chex Mix or make your own? ›

Homemade Chex Mix is cheaper AND better tasting than anything you can buy at the store. Does homemade Chex Mix need to be refrigerated? You can store homemade Chex Mix at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Is Chex Mix better with butter or margarine? ›

You can mix and match to suit your taste—just use a total of 9 cups of cereal. Healthy: To reduce the fat to 2 grams and the calories to 80 per serving, use 3 tablespoons margarine instead of the 6 tablespoons butter, omit mixed nuts and use fat-free bagel chips.

What is the shelf life of homemade Chex Mix? ›

Make Ahead Instructions: Chex mix tastes freshest when served within 2-3 days of making it, but it will last stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Freezing Instructions: Chex mix freezes great! Store in freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

Has Crispix been discontinued? ›

A variation of original Crispix introduced in late 2001 in the US known as Cinnamon Crunch Crispix was described by Kellogg's as a "[c]rispy corn and rice cereal with a cinnamon taste." Cinnamon Crunch Crispix joined a number of cereals discontinued by Kellogg's after disappointing sales.

Is there a generic Crispix? ›

Conversation. The generic Crispix is called "Crispy Hexagon Cereal".

Are Crispix good for you? ›

With 4g of sugar — or 1 teaspoon — per serving, Crispix isn't the best choice out there, but it's not terrible either.

What is the purpose of adding corn syrup? ›

Corn syrup is a food syrup which is made from the starch of corn/maize and contains varying amounts of sugars: glucose, maltose and higher oligosaccharides, depending on the grade. Corn syrup is used in foods to soften texture, add volume, prevent crystallization of sugar, and enhance flavor.

What does corn syrup do to candy? ›

Provides Smooth Texture: Corn syrup helps to create a smooth and glossy texture in candies, ensuring that they are not grainy or gritty. 3. Adds Moisture and Shine: Beyond candy making, corn syrup can be used to add moisture and a glossy finish to dessert sauces and frostings.

Does caramel contain corn syrup? ›

Most homemade caramel recipes call for corn syrup, and they are a lot easier to make, but I was up for the challenge.

How to stop caramel from crystallizing? ›

To make a perfect easy caramel every-time, simply add one or two drops of vinegar and just enough water to wet the sugar. The idea is to lower the PH. you can also use a small pinch of citric acid or cream of tartar if you have.

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