July 22, 2013

Camper Crunchies

Note to Self: It is impossible to get anything done with this in the house.

I'm trying to type up this blog post, but I can't stop eating this long enough to even finish a sentence.

These Camper Crunchies are guaranteed to become an instant hit.  My friend Kinzi's family has been making this forever and they take it camping with them every time they go.  She brought it into work one day and it was game over. 

Crunchy Chex cereal is mixed with peanuts and M&M's (or Reese's) and coated in a rich (and easy) caramel sauce.  It's crunchy, it's chewy, it's fast, it's easy and it makes enough to feed a crowd.    
This time around I made half with M&M's and half with Reese's Pieces and I can't decide which one I like better.  Both are AMAZE-BALLS.  I guess it just depends on if you are in the mood for chocolate or peanut butter.  

Make it now, LOVE it forever!
Camper Crunchies
adapted from: Kinzi O.
(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. light brown sugar
1 1/2 c. light Karo syrup
1 (14 oz.) box Corn Chex (around 11 cups)
1 c. dry roasted peanuts
1 1/2 - 2 c. M&M's or Reese's Pieces

Add Corn Chex, peanuts and M&M's or Reese's Pieces to a large bowl; set aside.  In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.  Add the sugar, brown sugar and Karo syrup.  Stir until sugar is dissolved and bring to a boil; boil for one minute and then pour over cereal mixture.  Fold together until everything is evenly coated in caramel sauce.  Allow to cool.  Stir several times while it is cooling to help prevent the caramel from pooling at the bottom of the bowl and to help it from all sticking together as one big piece.  It will stick together a little once it is completely cooled and you can use the back of a wooden spoon to break it into pieces.  

Jenn's Notes: This also tastes amazing without the peanuts.  Due to adding hot caramel to the bowl, some of the candy will melt.  I don't mind it, but you could always add the candy after you have stirred in the caramel.  

30 comments:

  1. My son doesn't like nuts so I am totally going to leave them out but this does look amazing!!! I wonder if I have enough Karo syrup to make these now?? YUM!!!

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    1. You won't even miss the nuts, it still tastes incredible!! I can't wait for you to try it - Jenn

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  2. Great combination of goodies, love the M&M's!

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  3. It looks a little like chex mix, but making it sweet instead of savory. Looks good!

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  4. Jenn--I'm afraid my blog will look too much like yours. i just know good food when I see it! I made the salty chex mix for my brothers birthday--it was a hit. I'll see how he likes the sweet version!

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  5. I made this today.......it was a runny sticky mess. Are you sure the amount of Karo is correct? Thanks

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    1. Oh no, I'm so sorry it didn't work for you?
      I just double checked the recipe and yes all of the measurements I typed above (including the Karo) are correct. Did you use the correct amount of cereal that was called for? Also, did you allow it to come to a full boil and boil for one minute? That boiling step is what will allow it to turn into a chewy caramel rather than a sticky mess. Hopefully, once it cooled, it turned into a crunchy chewy treat? - Jenn

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  6. This looks amazing! I can't wait to try it. I think I'll use honey roasted peanuts and Reese's Pieces. Yum!!

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  7. My mouth started watering just looking at the pictures! Yum!!

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  8. I'm a sucker for mixes like these - this is a must try! Thanks for sharing!

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  9. I've been sending my DH to work with healthy snacks, and he will LOVE this one. Beautiful, colorful enticing photos, too!

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  10. I made this today and it tastes great but mine is one big glob. I added more cereal and all the peanuts and M&Ms.

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    1. It does kind of stick together once it sets, but I take the back of a wooden spoon and break it into chunks. It is much easier to eat that way. How much more cereal did you have to add? I'm glad you think it tastes great!

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    2. A wooden spoon will not break it apart unfortunately. It is one sticky glob. I did cook the mixture until it boiled then for one minute longer. It just seems like there is too much sauce. I added extra cereal, peanuts and M&Ms and the the sauce mixture still pooled at the bottom of my bowl. Yes I did use the correct measurements.

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    3. Wow - sorry it didn't turn out perfect for you. I've never had problems with it. Is it at least chewy? I wonder if the super sticky glob is due to the difference with altitude? I do live at high altitude and I know that can make a difference with candy. I'm going to add a little extra step in the recipe, so hopefully it will help people out. Thanks for letting me know - Jenn

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    4. My husband took it to work and his coworkers could not get enough of it.

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    5. Do you spread yours out on a baking sheet? I wonder if that would help. Next time I will boil it a little bit longer. My caramel sauce became bubbly, light in color and expanded. Is that it should look like? Since it was such a hit with my husbands co-workers I will make it again soon. What I really like about this recipe is I don't have to bake it after the caramel sauce added.

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    6. No, I just keep it in a really LARGE bowl. Yes, it should be a light brownish tan color. I think stirring it several times while it is setting up will help a lot with the issues you had. Just be careful boiling it too much longer, because you don't want it to get hard and too chewy. Thanks - Jenn

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  11. This looks like such a fun recipe! We would love for you to share at our fun Super Summer Saturday link up here: http://www.thechirpingmoms.com/2013/07/super-summer-saturday_27.html
    Thanks!
    Julie

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  12. Love these camper crunchies Jenn!! Great pictures too!! ;)

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  13. have to try this great recipes, thanks for sharing,
    yum...
    Karen

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  14. My daughter's Girl Scout troop is camping this weekend. This looks perfect for that!

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