Chocolate Caramel S'mores Snack Mix

A few weeks ago, I made a double batch of this snack mix for our church youth group. The sheet pans were sitting out on the kitchen table, cooling, and my family kept stopping by for quality assurance testing. I told them to keep their hands off, that they were eating the Lord's food. But they were wholly (though not in any way holy) unrepentant.

All of which is just to say that if you're planning to feed this addictive combination to anyone other than the people living in your house, you might want to make a double batch, too.

Chocolate Caramel S'mores Snack Mix {print}

4 cups graham-cracker type cereal (I used Golden Grahams)
4 cups corn or rice or combo cereal squares (I like Crispix)
6 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (yes, this matters)
approximately 1 cup M&Ms
approximately 2 cups mini marshmallows

Line a large sheet pan with wax paper or parchment paper. Gently combine cereals in a large microwave-safe bowl. In a 2-cup microwave-safe measuring cup, microwave the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup uncovered on high power 1-2 minutes, stirring after one minute, until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from microwave and stir in the baking soda until dissolved. Pour this mixture over the cereal and stir gently to coat. Microwave on high power for 3 minutes, stirring after every minute. 

Remove from microwave and cool 1 minute. Sprinkle with marshmallows and gently fold in. Turn the mixture out onto your prepared baking sheet and immediately sprinkle the surface with M&Ms, pressing them gently into the cereal mixture. Cool completely before breaking apart and storing airtight. Makes 8 cups.

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