Pumpkin Snack Mix

Name: Pumpkin Snack Mix
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: about 5-1/2 quarts.
Ingredients: 3 quarts popped popcorn; 4 cups Cheerios; 4 cups Corn or Rice Chex; 2 cups salted peanuts; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 3/4 cup light corn syrup; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 package (16 ounces) candy pumpkins

This yummy mix is so munchable, a bowl of it never lasts long. Feel free to use candy corn instead of the candy pumpkins—or a mix of both—if desired. —Shirley Engstrom, Genoa, Nebraska

Ingredients

3 quarts popped popcorn
4 cups Cheerios
4 cups Corn or Rice Chex
2 cups salted peanuts
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 package (16 ounces) candy pumpkins

Directions

In a large greased roasting pan, combine the popcorn, cereal and peanuts. In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup and butter; bring to a rolling boil. Boil for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; quickly stir in vanilla and baking soda until mixture is light and foamy.
Immediately pour over popcorn mixture; toss to coat. Bake, uncovered, at 250° for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely. Stir in candy pumpkins.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 216 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 223mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.

Originally published as Popcorn Snack Mix in Taste of Home Halloween Food & Fun 2007

Reviews

My Review

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Average Rating:

sgronholz

Nov 29, 2015

I brought this treat to our Thanksgiving celebration and everyone thought it was great! (As a matter of fact, my nephew immediately requested it for Christmas!) Although the combination of ingredients sounded amazing, I did substitute puff corn for the pop corn, which is my grandson's favorite. I also used my mom's recipe for the caramel portion, since I love the texture and taste of her recipe. (1 c. brown sugar, 1/2 c. light corn syrup, and 1/2 c. butter; boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in vanilla and baking soda. Mom only bakes her caramel corn for 45 min. instead of an hour. As you can see, her recipe is similar to this one, but not quite the same!) I will definitely be making this snack mix again!
badgerdoglover

Nov 8, 2015

Made this for Halloween. My family loved it.
sd20

Oct 24, 2015

Not that favorable .The courtside caramel popcorn recipe on this site is much better.
Tammy1965Johnson

Oct 30, 2014

I made this for a childrens Halloween party and the adults ate it so fast the kids di get to try it. Just pulled another batch out of the oven .
lisaivan

Oct 25, 2014

This is very good! So good that I can't seem to stop taste testing! Very easy too, just a little time consumimg with the every 15min stirring for an hour, but well worth the effort! Yum!
chasingjesica79

Oct 23, 2014

My family and coworkers love it.
DJ2Fan

Oct 28, 2013

This was very easy to make and turned out delicious! I switched the candy pumpkins for candy corn and left out the peanuts. Also had help in the kitchen from a 7-year old who really enjoyed measuring out the cereal, so it is fun to make with kids!
Karen Crofford

Oct 18, 2013

sounds great and easy to make, will make for Spooky Crazy Bunco this weekend.
KraftyKitchenKitty87

Oct 17, 2013

@cporzio you could try pretzel nuggets, oyster crackers, or mini hard breadsticks. I can't wait to try this!!
SWEETENR

Oct 11, 2012

This is so much fun to make! My family and I enjoy it very much!