Crunchy Caramel Corn Snack Mix

Ingredients

• 7 cups popped plain popcorn
• 4 cups crispy rice cereal, such as Chex
• 2 cups mini pretzels
• 1 1/2 cups Fisher Pecan Halves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, diced into 1 Tbsp pieces
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

Directions

1. Set the oven for 350 degrees. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet, 18 by 13-inch, with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, then put it aside. In an extra large mixing bowl, combine the popped popcorn, rice cereal, pretzels and pecans, and leave that ready while you make the caramel.
2. Place the butter in a medium saucepan and melt it over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup, and cook, stirring the whole time, until the mixture comes to a boil.
3. When the caramel begins boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low. Let it continue to boil for 4 – 5 minutes without stirring.
4. Take the pan off the heat and whisk in the vanilla and baking soda; the caramel will foam and bubble. Right away, pour it over the popcorn mixture, then toss quickly and gently until everything is coated as evenly as possible.
5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Bake for 15 minutes, then pull it from the oven, toss the mixture, and smooth it back into an even layer.
6. Put the pan back in the oven and bake for 15 minutes more. Remove it from the oven, let the snack mix cool, and then break it into bite size pieces.