Praline Crunch

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert / Snack
Cuisine: American

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Introduction

If you’re looking for a snack that’s irresistibly sweet, satisfyingly crunchy, and perfect for sharing, this Praline Crunch recipe is your new go-to. This Southern-inspired treat combines crispy cereal, buttery pecans, and a luscious brown sugar glaze to create a caramelized snack that’s both nostalgic and indulgent.

Whether you’re making it for holiday gifts, movie nights, or a casual get-together, this Praline Crunch delivers everything you love about traditional pralines—but in a lighter, snackable form. It’s a little sweet, a little salty, and a whole lot of addictive!

You’ll only need a few simple ingredients and a baking sheet to bring this recipe to life. Once cooled, the praline coating hardens into an irresistible caramel crunch that keeps beautifully in an airtight container for days (if it lasts that long).

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Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 8 cups Crispix cereal (or a mix of Rice Chex and Corn Chex)

• 2 cups pecan halves (lightly toasted, if desired)

• 1 cup pretzels (optional, for a sweet-salty twist)

Praline Coating

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

• 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark, depending on flavor preference)

• ½ cup light corn syrup

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Equipment

• Large mixing bowl

• Medium saucepan

• Baking sheet (lined with parchment or a silicone mat)

• Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula

• Airtight container for storage

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Directions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Lightly grease it with nonstick spray to make cleanup easier later.

In a very large mixing bowl, combine the Crispix cereal and pecan halves (plus pretzels if using). Set aside while you prepare the praline coating.

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Step 2: Make the Praline Coating

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup. Continue stirring gently until the mixture is fully combined and begins to bubble.

Allow the mixture to boil for 4 minutes, stirring constantly. The caramel will thicken slightly and turn glossy as it cooks. Be careful not to burn it—keep the heat at a medium setting to maintain a steady but gentle boil.

After 4 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda. The mixture will bubble up as the baking soda reacts—this is normal and creates a light, crisp texture in the final product.

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Step 3: Coat the Mixture

Immediately pour the hot praline mixture over the cereal and pecans in your large bowl. Use a heatproof spatula to gently fold the mixture together until all the cereal and nuts are evenly coated with the caramel glaze. Work quickly here, as the mixture thickens as it cools.

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Step 4: Bake Low and Slow

Spread the coated mixture evenly over your prepared baking sheet. Don’t worry if it clumps together a bit—it will spread out as it bakes.

Bake in your preheated oven at 250°F (120°C) for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and prevent burning. This slow bake helps the praline coating become crisp and deeply flavorful.

As the mixture bakes, your kitchen will fill with the sweet, buttery aroma of caramelized sugar and toasted pecans—a clear sign that something amazing is happening.

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Step 5: Cool and Break Apart

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. The mixture will still be slightly sticky when hot but will harden as it cools.

After about one hour, gently break the praline crunch into bite-sized clusters using your hands or a spatula.

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Storage

Store your Praline Crunch in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months—just make sure it’s fully cooled and sealed tightly to prevent moisture.

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Serving Suggestions

• As a snack: Serve in bowls for parties or game nights.

• As a topping: Sprinkle over ice cream, yogurt, or pancakes.

• As a gift: Package in decorative jars or cellophane bags for a homemade holiday treat.

• As a mix-in: Add to popcorn for a caramel-corn-style crunch or stir into trail mix for a sweet surprise.

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Tips for Perfect Praline Crunch

1. Toast your pecans: Lightly toast pecans in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 6–8 minutes before adding them to the recipe to enhance their flavor.

2. Don’t skip the baking soda: It helps the caramel expand, giving your praline coating a light, crisp texture instead of a sticky one.

3. Mix fast: Once the caramel is ready, work quickly to coat the cereal before it hardens.

4. Low and slow is key: Baking at low heat ensures the coating dries evenly and doesn’t burn.

5. Customize it: Swap pecans for almonds, add mini marshmallows, or drizzle with melted chocolate after cooling for a gourmet twist.

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Time & Intensity Breakdown

Total Time: ~2 hours 5 minutes
Overall Intensity: Moderate

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Nutrition Information (per serving, 1/12 of recipe)

Nutrition may vary depending on brands used and optional ingredients added.

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Final Thoughts

Praline Crunch is the perfect blend of buttery sweetness and crispy texture—a recipe that proves you don’t need fancy equipment or complex steps to create something extraordinary. With its golden caramel glaze, nutty undertones, and satisfying crunch, it’s a crowd-pleaser that disappears as fast as you can make it.

This recipe is also wonderfully adaptable: swap in different nuts, add cinnamon or cayenne for a spicy kick, or drizzle white chocolate over the cooled clusters for a festive finish. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, you can make endless variations to suit any occasion or craving.

So next time you’re craving something sweet, crunchy, and utterly comforting, whip up a batch of Praline Crunch—a Southern classic with universal appeal. Whether enjoyed by the handful or shared with friends, it’s bound to become one of your favorite homemade treats.