Salted Caramel Muddy Buddies Recipe

Introduction

Salted Caramel Muddy Buddies are the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy. This easy snack recipe coats crispy Chex cereal in a rich salted caramel sauce, then dusts it with powdered sugar for a delightful treat. Ideal for movie nights or holiday parties, these muddy buddies are sure to please any crowd.

Ingredients

• 9 cups Chex cereal (rice or corn)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute without stirring.
3. Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt.
4. Step 4: Pour the caramel mixture over the cereal and gently stir until all the cereal is evenly coated.
5. Step 5: Spread the coated cereal on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let cool for 10 minutes.
6. Step 6: Transfer the caramel-coated cereal to a large resealable bag or bowl. Add powdered sugar, seal, and shake gently to coat evenly.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle a little extra sea salt over the top before serving, if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, lightly toast the cereal before coating with caramel.
• Try adding cinnamon or cocoa powder to the powdered sugar for different flavor twists.
• Make sure to use gluten-free Chex cereal if you need a gluten-free snack.
• This snack is perfect for gift jars—package it for a thoughtful homemade gift.

Storage

Store the salted caramel muddy buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To refresh the crunch, spread on a baking sheet and warm briefly in a low oven before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cereal?

Yes, you can use other types of sturdy cereals, but Chex works best because it holds up well to the caramel coating without becoming soggy.

How do I prevent the caramel from burning?

Cook the sugar, butter, and corn syrup mixture over medium heat and stir constantly until it boils. Once boiling, allow it to cook for only 1 minute without stirring to avoid burning.

Salted Caramel Muddy Buddies Recipe

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4.6 from 73 reviews

Salted Caramel Muddy Buddies are a deliciously sweet and salty snack made by coating crunchy Chex cereal with a homemade salted caramel sauce, then dusting it with powdered sugar for an irresistible treat perfect for parties, movie nights, or gifting.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: About 10 cups 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cereal

• 9 cups Chex cereal (rice or corn)

Caramel Sauce

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling

Coating

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare Cereal: Place 9 cups of Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl and set it aside for coating later.
2. Make Caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter, and ¼ cup light corn syrup. Stir constantly until the mixture reaches a boil. Once boiling, allow it to cook for 1 minute without stirring to develop the caramel flavor.
3. Add Flavor: Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon sea salt to infuse the caramel with rich, salty undertones.
4. Coat Cereal: Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the prepared Chex cereal in the bowl. Gently stir to ensure all pieces are thoroughly coated without breaking the cereal.
5. Cool and Toss: Spread the caramel-coated cereal onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes so the caramel sets slightly.
6. Add Powdered Sugar: Transfer the cooled, coated cereal into a large resealable plastic bag or mixing bowl. Add 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, seal or cover, and gently shake or toss until the cereal is evenly coated with the powdered sugar.
7. Serve: Optionally, sprinkle a little extra sea salt over the top for an enhanced salty-sweet contrast, then serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Notes

• Make Ahead: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
• Flavor Variations: Add cinnamon or cocoa powder to the powdered sugar for a different twist on the flavor profile.
• Texture Tip: For extra crunchiness, lightly toast the cereal before coating with caramel.
• Serving Suggestion: Perfect for movie nights, holiday parties, or packaged as delicious gift jars.
• Allergy Note: Verify that the Chex cereal is gluten-free if required for dietary needs.

Keywords: muddy buddies, salted caramel snacks, caramel popcorn, sweet and salty snacks, party snacks, easy snack recipe, caramel treats