Fall Party Mix with Salted Caramel

I make this treat every Fall and it  has become a tradition in our house.  Each year I make it with a slight variation, but the main idea is a combination of favorite snackies that are healthy, tasty and all the right colors.  I like to make a big batch that I can share with friends as well as leaving plenty for our family.  The ingredients are, for the most part wholesome and healthy.   I am able to get all the ingredients from  the health food store except for the Reeses Pieces or M & M type chocolates.  This year I made the mix with a salted caramel addition.  It was wonderful.  Steve and Eddie loved it.... and so did I.

4 cups Barbaras Multi Grain Shredded Spoonfuls or similar type cereal.

5 cups nuts and seeds of your choice.

This time I did walnuts, pecans, almonds,  cashews, pumpkin seeds and shelled pumpkin seeds.

4 cups popcorn

4 cups chocolate animal crackers (get them at the health food store or make them yourself).

4 cups cheddar fish crackers

Stir everything together nicely and divide the batch into 2 bowls.  We are going to cover half the batch with salty caramel.  Set the other half aside.

Mix Butter, Red Palm Oil, Sucanat, Honey and Coconut Nectar in a medium sauce pan.

Turn on medium heat and bring to a light boil.  Stir and and cook 4 minutes more.

Remove from heat and add baking soda and vanilla. Stir well... it will foam and lighten a little.

Pour over party mix and stir until all is evenly covered.  Pour carameled mix on to a large 18x 26  baking sheet covered in parchment paper.  Spread out evenly  and bake at 300 degrees about 20 minutes; stirring halfway through.

Pull out of oven and sprinkle with Celtic Sea Salt.  Allow to cool.

 Break into pieces and put into large bowl with the other half of the reserved mix....

.... add your chocolates - 4 cups

Mix it all together

Give as gifts ....

or serve as a  treat.

Fall Party Mix with Salted Caramel

Ingredients

4 cups Barbara's Multi grain Shredded Spoonfuls

5 cups nuts and seeds of any variety

4 cups popped popcorn

4 cups chocolate animal crackers (you can buy these at the health food store or make them yourself

4 cups cheddar fish crackers

4 cups Reese's Pieces or M & M type chocolate candies

Caramel (see below)

Celtic Sea Salt

Optional variations

raisins

dried cranberries

corn nuts

peanuts

sunflower seeds

pretzels

candy corn (I love the pretty color of these candies, but I don't care for the ingredients such as corn syrup)

other cereals

Instructions

Set chocolate candies aside.

Mix remaining ingredients (except caramel)  together and divide into two bowls.

Make caramel mixture as described below.  Pour the caramel mixture over 1 bowl of the mix.  Stir and spread the caramel over the mixture as evenly as you can.  Spread mixture onto a large sheetcake pan (18x26) that has been covered with parchment paper.  Bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes.  Stir mixture once during baking time about half way through. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with Celtic Sea Salt.  Cool.  Once it is cool, break it into pieces and add it back into the bowl that has been set aside.  Mix together well.  Stir in chocolate candy pieces.  Stir again.  

Enjoy

For the Caramel

Most Caramel Corn type recipes call for corn syrup, but in this recipe you use coconut nectar instead of the corn syrup; it works great, is low glycemic, tastes great and is a healthier alternative to corn syrup

Ingredients:

1/2 cup organic butter

3 Tablespoons Red Palm Oil (order on-line or get at the health food store. If you don't want to get Red Palm Oil, you can use 3 Tablespoons butter instead/in addition to the 1/2 cup above).

1/2 cup Raw Coconut Nectar (Try  your local health food store)

3/4 cup Sucanat or Coconut Sugar

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan.  Bring to a gentle boil.  Continue cooking 4 more minutes once a boil is reached.  Add vanilla and baking soda and stir well.

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