Making up a batch of THIS. Pretzel Trail Mix Candy.

With the cooler weather coming, it means that the Holidays are headed our way, and this year, I want to get my gift giving organized early. One of my favorite things to do for friends and family is to make up gifts from the kitchen, such as Spiced Tea Mix or a tasty Earl Grey Tea Loaf.

This Pretzel Trail Mix Candy isn’t just for the Holidays, but can be given anytime of year, or makes for an addictive salty-sweet treat for your next party. Click HERE to see my party spread for “The CMA Awards” viewing party.

I love the flavor combo of salty and sweet, so to give it just the right amount of saltiness, I used a salted mixed nuts. The caramelized mixture gives it just the right amount of sweet, but not the kind of overly sweet that will “put fur on your teeth”. 😉

Anytime you work with hot, melted sugar, caramel, be oh so attentive and careful. Once it starts to turn amber, watch it closely because it can quickly become burnt caramel. Plus, whatever you do, don’t burn yourself. Trust me, I have the scars to prove it.

I hope you get a chance to make up some gifts from the kitchen this year, not only is it fun to get in there and create, but there’s nothing quite like giving to those you care about!

Enjoy!

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Pretzel Trail Mix Candy

Yield:

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

A salty sweet treat to enjoy for yourselves or make up a batch and give as a gift from the kitchen, Caramelized Pretzel Trail Mix

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Ingredients

• 4 cups mini Pretzels
• 2 cups square Rice Cereals, such as Chex
• 2 cups mixed salted Nuts
• 1 cup dried Fruit, I used a mix of raisins and cranberries
• 1 cup light Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup dark Corn Syrup
• 1/2 cup Butter
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 2 tsp Vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 250°F. Line a baking pan (jelly roll pan) with parchment paper, then lightly spray with a Canola or Vegetable spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the Pretzels, Cereal, Nuts and Fruit.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt together the Brown Sugar, Corn Syrup and Butter, until sugar has melted, about 2 - 3 minutes. Remove from heat, then add in the Salt, Vanilla Extract and Baking Soda, continuously stirring. It will turn to a light amber color with a foamy like texture.
4. Carefully pour caramel mixture over the pretzel mixture and stir until mixed well.
5. Pour evenly onto the parchment lined baking pan.
6. Bake in the preheated 250°F oven for about 45 minutes. Cool in pan, then break apart. Can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Notes

You can also use other dried fruits, such as dried blueberries or cherries.If you prefer, you can use a single nut of choice, salted or unsalted.Makes for great gifts from the kitchen anytime of year.

Stacey Doyle

Stacey is a Southern girl with a taste for travel, thriving on the discovery of the world through food. After spending many years traveling and living overseas, she’s now back home in her beloved deep south enjoying life with her three little ones and loving the adventure. She’s a food stylist and food photographer, as well as, the creative behind Little Figgy Food, where she loves to inspire others to try new flavors and foodie techniques.