Grandma's Chewy Chex Mix

It wouldn't be Christmas without this chewy, addicting treat! My grandma made this every year and it was always my favorite. It's one of those treats that you just can't stop snacking on. 

This recipe is super easy to whip up. Once you've made it and get the flow down, you'll be able to make it again and again so easy and quick!

Make it and set it out on the counter for your family to snack on all Christmas week long!

Grandma's Chewy Chex Mix

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 cups Corn Chex
• 6 cups Rice Chex
• 3 cups Wheat Chex
• 1 package pecan pieces
• 1 cup butter (do not substitute margarine)
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

1. 1. Combine corn, rice, and wheat chex in a large bowl. Add pecans and stir together. Set aside.
   
2. 2. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. 3. Add sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir together and cook until sugar dissolves.
4. 4. Add cream and stir.
5. 5. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Mixture will bubble up and continue to bubble while it's cooking. Boil until mixture reaches 240 degrees, the soft ball stage. (Make sure to use a candy thermometer.) 
6. 6. Remove immediately from heat. Stir in vanilla.
7. 7. Immediately pour over cereal mixture. 
8. 8. Stir together until cereal is coated and is not sticky, but feels glossy.
9. 9. Spread out cereal on a cookie sheet to cool. Separate into small clusters.

TIPS:

1. Make sure to spread out the cereal mixture at the end to let it cool. If you leave it to cool in the bowl, it will stick together in a solid clump and be really difficult to break apart.

2. I do not recommend making this without using a candy thermometer. You can get them for less than $10 and they are so easy to use. You can get them at the grocery store or here is a link for one online. CANDY THERMOMETER

3. Make sure to make this in a large pot. The mixture boils up and if you use a small pot, it will boil over resulting in a big mess.

4. When measuring the Chex cereals, do not over measure. Adding in too much cereal will make the chex mix more crunchy and not as chewy. To make it even softer and chewier, use about 1-2 cups less Chex.