Moose Munch Christmas Snack Mix Recipe

Introduction

Moose Munch Christmas Snack Mix is a festive, irresistible treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining caramel popcorn, nuts, chocolate, and toffee, it offers a delightful mix of sweet and crunchy flavors that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 ⅓ cups Tony Chachere’s Praline Honey Ham Injectable Marinade
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 8½ cups popped popcorn
• ¾ cup unsalted peanuts
• ¾ cup pecans
• 2 cups chocolate covered caramels
• ¼ cup toffee baking bits
• ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and Tony Chachere’s Praline Honey Ham Injectable Marinade together. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until it reaches 230°F and thickens, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the popped popcorn, peanuts, and pecans. Pour the warm caramel sauce over the mixture and stir well to coat everything evenly.
3. Step 3: Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and greasing it with cooking spray. Spread the caramel-coated popcorn mixture evenly on the prepared pan.
4. Step 4: Bake in a 250°F oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and baking.
5. Step 5: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the snack mix to cool for about 5 minutes. Break apart any large clumps.
6. Step 6: Evenly scatter the chocolate covered caramels and toffee bits over the warm snack mix.
7. Step 7: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave on power level 3 for 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer the melted chocolate into a storage bag, cut a small tip off one corner, and drizzle the chocolate over the mix on the pan.
8. Step 8: Let the entire mixture cool completely before storing it in an airtight container or bag.

Tips & Variations

• Use parchment paper and cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for different nutty flavors.
• For extra crunch, add pretzel pieces or cereal bits to the mix.
• Make sure to stir every 15 minutes during baking to avoid burning.

Storage

Store the cooled Moose Munch Christmas Snack Mix in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to two weeks. To refresh crispness, you can briefly warm it in the oven at low heat before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular caramel sauce instead of chocolate covered caramels?

Yes, you can substitute with regular caramel sauce, but the candy pieces add a nice texture contrast that enhances the mix. If using sauce, drizzle it on sparingly to avoid sogginess.

What if I don’t have Tony Chachere’s Praline Honey Ham Marinade?

You can substitute with a mix of honey and a pinch of smoky seasoning or use a caramel sauce base for sweetness. The marinade adds a unique flavor, but the snack mix will still be delicious without it.

Moose Munch Christmas Snack Mix Recipe

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4.6 from 111 reviews

Moose Munch Christmas Snack Mix is a festive, sweet and savory treat combining popcorn, nuts, chocolate, and caramel glaze. This snack mix features a unique caramel coating made with a praline honey ham marinade and butter, baked to a perfect crispiness, then drizzled with melted chocolate and sprinkled with toffee bits for an irresistible holiday indulgence.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 53 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
• Yield: About 12 cups 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Caramel Sauce

• 1 ⅓ cup Tony Chachere’s Praline Honey Ham Injectable Marinade
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp baking soda

Snack Mix

• 8½ cups popped popcorn
• ¾ cup unsalted peanuts
• ¾ cup pecans
• 2 cups chocolate covered caramels
• ¼ cup toffee baking bits
• ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

Instructions

1. Make the caramel sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and Tony Chachere’s Praline Honey Ham Injectable Marinade together. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until it reaches 230°F and thickens, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the baking soda; this will create a foamy texture.
2. Combine snack mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the popped popcorn, unsalted peanuts, and pecans evenly to distribute the nuts throughout the popcorn.
3. Coat with caramel sauce: Pour the hot caramel sauce over the popcorn and nuts, stirring thoroughly to coat every piece well with the sticky caramel.
4. Prepare for baking: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and grease the paper lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Spread the caramel-coated popcorn mixture evenly on the prepared pan.
5. Bake and stir: Place the pan in a preheated 250°F oven and bake for 45 minutes. Stir the mixture every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and crispiness.
6. Cool the mix: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the caramel corn to cool for about 5 minutes. Once cooled, break apart any large clusters to create bite-sized pieces.
7. Add toppings: Evenly spread the chocolate covered caramels and toffee baking bits across the caramel corn on the pan.
8. Melt the chocolate: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave on power level 3 for 4-6 minutes, stirring every minute to ensure smooth melting.
9. Drizzle chocolate: Transfer the melted chocolate into a storage or piping bag and cut a small tip off the end. Drizzle the chocolate over the snack mix evenly across the baking sheet.
10. Final cooling and storage: Allow the entire mixture to cool completely so the chocolate sets. Store the Moose Munch Christmas Snack Mix in an air-tight storage bag to maintain freshness.

Notes

• Ensure the caramel sauce reaches 230°F to achieve the proper candy consistency.
• Stirring every 15 minutes during baking prevents burning and promotes even coating.
• Use parchment paper and a light grease to avoid sticking and make cleanup easier.
• Microwave the chocolate on a lower power setting to prevent scorching.
• Store in airtight containers to keep the snack mix crunchy and fresh up to two weeks.
• For a nut-free version, omit peanuts and pecans, and substitute with additional popcorn or seeds.

Keywords: Moose Munch, Christmas snack mix, caramel popcorn, holiday treats, chocolate drizzle, nutty snack mix