Sweet & Hot Snack
Ingredients
30
servings
- 1 cup light Karo Syrup
- 1 stick margarine or butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1-2 tsp Tabasco
- 1 tsp red pepper
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 (8 oz) bags Ritz Snack Mix Cheddar
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 1 1/2 cups pecans
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a medium saucepan combine the Karo syrup, margarine, sugar, Tabasco, red pepper and black pepper and cook over medium heat until the mixture bubbles, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a large bowl combine the Ritz mix, peanuts, and pecans. Pour the hot sauce over the mixture and stir until all is coated evenly.
- Spray a baking dish with cooking spray, pour mixture in, and bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating. Spread over wax paper sprayed with cooking spray, and allow to cool completely. Store in a sealed container for your next party or a midnight snack.
Common Problems and Solutions
Q: Why is my coating not sticking to the snack mix?
A: Make sure the syrup mixture is bubbling hot when you pour it over the nuts and Ritz mix. Stir thoroughly to coat everything evenly before baking, and don't skip the stirring every 15 minutes during baking.
Q: Can I make this spicier or milder?
A: Absolutely! Start with 1 teaspoon of Tabasco for milder heat, or go up to 2 teaspoons (or more) if you like it hot. You can also adjust the red pepper to taste.
Tips and Techniques
Stirring every 15 minutes during baking is key to getting an even, crispy coating on all the nuts and snack mix pieces. Let it cool completely on wax paper before storing to prevent clumping.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ritz Snack Mix Cheddar: Chex Mix or any cheese-flavored snack mix
- dry roasted peanuts: cashews or mixed nuts
- light Karo Syrup: dark corn syrup or honey
Equipment Needed
- medium saucepan
- large mixing bowl
- baking dish
- wax paper
