Caramel Crisp

I have a new obsession and it is called Pinterest.  It's been great in helping me organize my daughter's 16th birthday party.  The best part about it is discovering so many new recipes. This recipe is an adaptation of a recipe I found on Nikki's chef in training website: Better than Sex Chex.  The great thing about this recipe is, once you make the cereal (you can use any cereal), you can add anything to it and use your choice of melted chocolates.  I plan on giving this away to my kid's choir directors as a year-end gift. 

I also plan on bringing a big batch with me tomorrow to my fellow volunteers at our high school's Project Graduation.  My kids will be graduating the next two years, but this will be my third year volunteering at Project Graduation. It's a great way to keep kids safe graduation night.   For more information about Project Graduation, check out this web site: North Middlesex Regional High School Project Graduation.

I doubled the recipe.  It makes a huge batch.

12 cups Crispex cereal

4 cups Cocoa Krispie cereal

1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 sticks butter

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. corn syrup

1/2 tsp. baking soda

16 oz. mini Reese's peanut butter cups (I used 8 oz. for one pan and 8 oz. of Reese's Pieces for 2nd pan)

8 oz.crushed pretzel pieces (to be honest, I did not measure)

1 cup Caramel Bits

2 Tbs. heavy cream

2 cups milk chocolate

2 cups white chocolate

Line two cookie sheets with waxed paper.  Measure cereals into a large, microwavable bowl.   Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in a microwavable container.  Microwave for one minute; stir.  Microwave for one more minute; stir until smooth.  Stir in baking soda until it is dissolved.  Let sit for 5 minutes to cool down a bit.

Pour over cereal and mix until evenly coated.  As I have mentioned before, I like to use my hands and find disposable gloves a life saver.  This gives me complete control so that I don't crush the cereal.  If it is too hot to handle, let cool a little longer.

Microwave on high for 3 minutes, one minute at a time and mix each time.  I gently toss the cereal by shaking the bowl.  Spread evenly on the prepared cookie sheets.

Let cool completely.  In the meantime, melt Caramel Bits and heavy cream in the microwave until melted and well blended.

Melt milk and white chocolate chips in separate bowls.  Stir after one minute; add 30 seconds until completely melted and smooth.

Drop Reese's candies evenly over cereal.  Top the candies with the crushed pretzel.

Using a fork, in this order, drizzle caramel, milk chocolate and white chocolate over cereal mixture.  You might have to stir each first.   Place in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set.

Break into chunks and store in gallon zip lock bags.  If you find that you have a lot of cereal left over that doesn't have any chocolate on it, spread it evenly on the same pan.  Melt additional white and milk chocolate chips.  Drizzle and place in the refrigerator.  You will be amazed how much more you will get by doing this

To give as a gift, place in a gallon bag (do not use a zip lock).  Tie a ribbon and add a cute tag!

There are so many great flavors and I just love the crunch!