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Monday, October 14, 2013

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.


Click here for more ideas for Fall


10 comments:

  1. Looks delicious! What a fun alternative to "plain" caramel corn!...which we love to eat this time of year!...
    Thanks for the recipe. I hadn't heard of coconut nectar instead of corn syrup! Can't wait to give it a try.
    BTW we used your bottle cap craft to make checkers and they turned out perfect! I think your altoid box makeovers will serve well as the checker containers!

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  2. Oh my goodness!!!!!

    This is so up my alley of snacks.
    You got your sweet and you got your salty!! Oh yeah.

    And all those healthy alternatives in there... you go girl!

    I must make this......

    I love you Miss Pammy!
    Hugs,
    Amy

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  3. Finally getting g a chance to catch up on your blog. Everything looks so good, want to make some of this treat. Had fun looking at your posts you always have such wonderful ideas. Love your pictures.

    Enjoying our lovely fall weather here. Have a good evening.
    Joyfully,
    Cheryl

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  4. Dear Pam, This is another one of those sweet family traditions you do, that just speaks love, and heart! I also have made this for a few years now! Mine might not be so healthy, but it looks so pretty and Fallish...? Is that a word? :)
    Blessings, Roxy

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  5. My word Mom, I am loving these Autumn posts! I love how you have added the caramel to our favorite Fall time snack!!! I can't wait to try it! Really missing you! Hopefully we can catch up soon :) I love you!!

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  6. Pam,
    This is delicious! I just made some today for my husband and boys to take on a road trip to Lake Almanor, but I think it may not last until Friday, and I'll have to make another batch! Thank you for the recipe!

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  7. That above comment from Rachel...was me....Rachel is one of my lovely daughters..(but I didn't know she was signed in!)
    Have a lovely day!
    keri

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  8. I'm so glad you guys tried and loved it. Ours disappeared quickly too... I am going to make up another batch soon too. Thanks for popping in and letting me know.
    Pam

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  9. Yummm...

    Now.. this looks like a must try.

    I was actually at our little country cupboard store today where I get my eggs and milk. And for sample they had: Cabin Crunch Mix.. with Corn. As in roasted corn kernels... Here is the link to the store - one so you can see something from my home area and two... what I'm talking about. :)

    http://theolddutchcupboard.com/

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    Replies
    1. I checked out the link Bevy… it look like an awesome store… would love to have something like that around here. Hope you enjoy the Salted Caramel Party MIx. Thanks for the comment.

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