This delicious Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix starts with cinnamon and honey-nut flavored cereals tossed in mixed nuts and coated in a caramelly sugar mixture with a hint of pumpkin pie spice. Toss in some pretzels and seasonally colored candies and you've got a great mix to enjoy with family or friends or a perfect gift; fill up a bag or decorative box with this mix and give it out as a festive treat.
PREP: Preheat oven to 350. Line a 15x21-inch baking sheet (or 2 smaller baking sheets) with heavy-duty foil or parchment paper (regular foil tends to rip easily) and grease generously with nonstick cooking spray.
CEREAL: Add 4 cups Cinnamon Chex, 4 cups Honey Nut Chex, and 1 cup mixed nuts to the prepared sheet pan.
SYRUP: In a heavy, medium-sized pot, add the 1/2 cup butter (cut into tablespoons), 1 cup packed light brown sugar, and 1/4 cup corn syrup. Place over medium to medium-high heat and stir constantly until butter is melted. Continue to stir until the mixture comes to a rapid boil. Boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly, and remove from heat. Add in the 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt. Stir to combine. Add in the vanilla extract and stir to combine. Pour over the cereal on the sheet pan and, working quickly, stir until cereal and nuts are coated in the mixture. Spread cereal and nut mixture into one even layer.
PUMPKIN SPICED SUGAR: In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (add 3 teaspoons for a stronger pumpkin spice flavor) and 2/3 cup white sugar; stir to combine. Sprinkle evenly over the cereal mixture. (Don't mix this spiced sugar into the cereal).
BAKE: Bake for 5 minutes, remove from the oven, and toss using a metal spatula. Spread mixture again to one even layer. Return to the oven and bake for 4 more minutes. Remove from the oven and toss again. Spread in one even layer and let cool for 5 minutes. Add the pretzels and M&M's onto the sheet pan, toss to combine, and spread in an even layer. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour to fully harden and set up.
STORAGE: Store in an airtight bag or container and room temperature. Mix is best enjoyed within 3-4 days.
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Notes
Note 1: To have more Fall-centric colors, I pick out red, orange, yellow, and brown M&M's to get 1 cup of these colors and then add those to the mix. For Christmas or Hanukkah, use candies with those colors.