You may laugh at the name but take one bite and you will know why it is called Christmas CRACK! It is so utterly addictive you will have a hard time controlling yourself. I was first introduced to this wonderful treat about four years ago by a lady from church. She sent a tin of it home with the hubby and gave me the recipe. I have been making it every Christmas since!
This is a great snack food to take to Christmas gatherings or to give as gifts to co-workers and neighbors. It seems like I have to make more and more each year to meet the demand! So far this year I’ve made three batches of the Crack and will need to make at least two more by next week. I dare you to make some and pass it out – you will truly feel like a “drug dealer” as people come back begging for more!
Disclaimer: This is by no means good for you (which is why it tastes so good)! It does include nuts but could be made without them.
What you Need:
1 1/2 sticks of butter
1 1/2 cups of brown sugar – unpacked
1 1/2 tbsp Karo Syrup
1 1/2 cups Cashews
7 cups of GF Rice & Corn Chex cereal mixed, 3 1/2 of each type
How to Make It:
Melt butter and brown sugar in large pot stirring with a wooden spoon over medium heat until bubbles form.
Once bubbles appear add in Karo Syrup and stir for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and mix in cashews and cereal.
Stir together gently so you don’t break up the cereal. Pour out onto wax or parchment paper to cool.
Once cooled you may need to break up any clumps. Put in tins, bags, etc and share!
You can make these nut free by omitting the cashews and adding 1 additional cup of the Chex Cereal.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks of butter (1.5 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar - unpacked
- 1 1/2 tbsp Karo Syrup
- 1 1/2 cups Cashews
- 7 cups of GF Rice & Corn Chex cereal mixed, 3 1/2 of each type
Instructions
- Melt butter and brown sugar in a large pot stirring with a wooden spoon over medium heat until bubbles form.
- Once bubbles appear add in Karo Syrup and stir for 3 minutes
- Remove from heat and mix in cashews and cereal.
- Stir together gently so you don't break up the cereal.
- Pour out onto wax paper or parchment paper to cool.
- Put in your preference container and enjoy!
This one is worth making!
Enjoy!
we had something similar (probably from church! LOL) growing up but it had peanut butter, melted chocolate, and powdered sugar!! oh my…
I’ve tried a mix similar to that but it was Nutella and powered sugar. So good!! I can see peanut butter being a nice add!
We made what Carrie’s talking about too – we called it puppy chow 🙂 definitely going to make this crack for my dad, he loves cashews and Chex!
Is it salted or unsalted butter?
Datura,
Good question. I always bake with unsalted butter.
Enjoy
Awesome, thank you!
Would it be good with pecans instead of cashews? Just wondering because I happen to have a lot of pecans.
I don’t know why not! Let me know how it comes out with pecans!
Pam
I use to make a Chex mix recipe very similar to this one and it was with pecans and it was amazing everyone always asked for the recipe. It was delicious,I just can’t find the original recipe anywhere. Guess I need to ask friends to see if I gave it to them.
hi, just wondering if the karo syrup is light or dark in this recipe. along with salted of unsalted nuts?
also, my oldest, widowed sister just got remarried and i found out only just now that her new husband has to eat gluten free foods. i’d like some advice on what to watch out for in creating dishes he can eat if you have a moment.
thank you,
nancy
I tried to make this last year and it turned out soggy 🙁 suggestions?
Yikes! I’ve never had that issue. Try using less butter maybe? Sorry 🙁
Put it in the oven for a while.
Is it 7 cups total of the cereal or 3 1/2 cups of each cereal?
3 1/2 cups of EACH cereal
Enjoy!
I ran to the store to get a few ingredients as soon as I saw this recipe. Wow. It’s really good!! I can’t stop eating it. Thanks!
Totally addictive! We call it crack for a reason 😉
I bet this would be good with some of the newer chex cereals too – like the chocolate chex or the cinnamon chex.
Good call! Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Pam
I made this last year, & my one BIG mistake, was using wax paper, the paper stuck, & I had to throw the whole thing out, tried it just putting it on a cookie sheet, fantastic!
Can’t wait to make these. My hubby would give anything for this
A couple of times I’ve made this it gets really hard and crunchy. Anyone else experienced this? It’s so good when it’s still warm and chewy – wish it stayed that chewy consistency instead of becoming rock hard when it cools.
Could we stop calling things CRACK? I know you mean it as a fun way to indicate how good it is, but my nephew is an addict,and to our family it means he will steal from his 88 year old grandparents, his parents, his sister, his cousins, and even stole the birthday money from his 4 year old twin nieces. Can we just stop using the term so casually? Thank you
🙄🙄 This is not about you. Christmas Crack is a common American name for this and I doubt they are gonna stop just for you…
Thank you!!! I get so tired of the entitlement sometimes.