Chef Contest-Caramelized Crispy Snack Mix (Patty VanKirk)

Welcome to the first every CEK's 2012 Home Grown Chef Contest! 

A few months ago, I challenged my readers to submit their favorite recipes and what a great response I had!  It is up to each recipe contributor to engage their friends/family/etc to view their recipe on this blog post and the 5 most popular recipes (determined by the number of page views it receives) will be added to a poll for everyone to vote on.  (For complete rules of the contest click HERE.) Good luck!

Recipe Contributor: 

Patty VanKirk from Newfoundland, NJ


Bio:
Patty Van Kirk has her own dog walking business called The Crate Escape.  She is also a stay at home mom who loves to bake.

Caramelized Crispy Snack Mix (a.k.a. "Crack")
Original Recipe from Land O' Lakes

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup Land o Lakes Butter

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 (17.9) oz box crunchy corn and rice cereal 

Step 1.  Combine brown sugar, butter, syrup and salt in 3 quart saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil.  Continue boiling1 minute.

Step 2.  Remove from heat.  Add baking soda, mix well.  Pour sugar mixture overcereal in huge bowl.  Mix well until coated.

Step. 3.  Pour onto greased ocokie sheet.

Step. 4.  Heat oven to 250 degrees.  Put cereal mixture into oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, stirring every15 minutes or until coating is set.

Step. 5.  Take out and let cool 15 minutes.  Break apart gently.