I tried candied Cheez-Its and didn’t expect to love them this much

It’s the sweet-meets-salty snack I didn’t expect to love.

Key Takeaways

• Candied Cheez-Its combine caramel and savory crackers, requiring just butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and baking soda.
• Customize with jumbo or flavored Cheez-Its, crushed red pepper, or mix-ins like pretzels, nuts, or chocolate.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days; perfect for parties, movie nights, or casual snacking.

When I first saw the recipe for Candied Cheez-Its, I was both skeptical and intrigued. I happen to love the “Chicago Mix” of cheddar and caramel popcorn made famous by Garrett Popcorn (I buy a tin full of it every Christmas). So I immediately asked our Test Kitchen pros to make a batch. The result is a savory-meets-sweet snack that totally works. Every single one of our recipe tasters loved it.

How to Make Candied Cheez-Its

To make these brown sugar-glazed crackers, you only need a handful of ingredients and just a bit of cook time. Here’s a quick look at how to make a batch at home.

1. In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup. Cook over medium-low heat until the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in baking soda.
2. Pour a box of Cheez-It crackers onto a baking sheet that’s lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the caramel mixture over the top.
3. Bake for an hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool completely before eating.

Related: Get the recipe for Candied Cheez-It Crackers

Tips for Making Homemade Snack Mix

Keep these tips from the BHG Test Kitchen in mind when you try this viral snack recipe.

• Don’t just stick to standard-size crackers. We used a mix of jumbo and regular-size Cheez-Its. I bet it would also be delicious with other variations like white cheddar, toasted, or pepper jack.
• Add a bit of heat. Our recipe tasters liked the flavor best with a generous pinch of crushed red pepper flakes in the caramel drizzle. Cayenne pepper would work well too.
• Try making a mix. If you want a bit of variety, add in pretzels, mixed nuts, or cereal to the snack mix. Play up the sweet factor a bit more by adding a handful of chocolate chips or candy-coated chocolate pieces to the cooled Cheez-It mixture.
• Store the caramel cheese crackers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

The Verdict on Candied Cheez-It Crackers

Now is the perfect time to make a batch of caramel candied crackers. It’s the ultimate make-ahead party recipe that’s easy to customize, store, and serve. Set a bowl out during your next party, movie night, or afternoon football-watching session, and be prepared for it to disappear. If you’re anything like us, you’ll be going back for handful after handful.

Related: I Tried the Viral 3-Ingredient Cheez-It Marshmallow Treats, and Confess I Love Them

Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens