Turtle Tailgate Mix

This Turtle Tailgate Mix is a a great party snack mix that will remind you of turtles candy.

Hi folks.

Okay it's confession time...

this cannot be keep secret any longer...

it needs to be shared...

before it drives me insane...er!

I hate football!

There, it's out there. I've finally set the truth free. Some of you may recall me sounding off about it during Super Bowl time. I may have gone off the deep end. This time I'm in control and keeping calm.

But I really hate football.

So why am I calling this Turtle Tailgate Mix? Well doh, I like football food. Just because I dislike the game does not mean I have to suffer and not have the food. I mean seriously people, have some compassion.

Okay I've got another one for you.

I've never been to a tailgate party...

*waits for the screaming to die down*

No really, I've never been to a tailgate party. I'm not a football fan. I can't drink cuz of my stupid IBS. And quite honestly I'm usually at the barn when football is on. So it's just never come up.

Are you ready for one more confession?

I used to pretend I liked football to get out of doing dishes. True story. Worked for eons. No one ever knew. Evil genius right!

Still want more confessions?

Once in high school we had a touch football game after school. Guys and gals. In order to not "hurt us girls" the guys wanted the game to be touch only. Well while I dislike football greatly if I'm going to play I'm going to play hard. I mean that competitive spirit just kicks in. Not sure if it's the smell of the pigskin or the sweat playing tricks on my brain. Well, we started to play and my bestie gf had the ball. So I tackled her to the ground like my life depended on it. I know right. Let's just say everyone gave me a wide berth for the rest of the game.

Want one more?

Hubs used to play football with a bunch of dudes on weekends. Same guys who all went to high school together. Lots of history and bonding. You know guys, smacking each other's rears and all that jazz. So hubs got a little over-exuberant and broke some dudes leg. Yup. I think that's right around the time he stopped playing. Can't imagine why.

So as you can tell we have a wacky relationship with football. But I won't hold that wackiness against it when it comes to football grub. When I hear the word "tailgate" I start to sweat, then my mind starts rattling around with the endless food possibilities.  So I'm here to prove even the most die hard football disser can still make a fabulous dish for a tailgate party.

You're welcome!

Caramel Recipe is adapted from Fine Cooking.

More Popcorn Recipes:

• Turtle Popcorn
• Parmesan Popcorn
• Rootbeer Popcorn
• Turtle Popcorn Gone Wild
• Pink Popcorn
• S'mores Popcorn
• Chocolate Cake Popcorn
• Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn

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5 from 6 votes

Turtle Tailgate Mix

This Turtle Tailgate Mix is a a great party snack mix that will remind you of turtles candy. It's a chocolate and caramel lovers dream!

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate party mix, turtle tailgate mix

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 24

Calories 536kcal

Author Kim Beaulieu

Equipment

• 2-Quart Saucepan
• Rectangular Roaster with Rack
• Cookie Sheet

Ingredients

For the Caramel Sauce ( make in advance):

• ¼ cup water
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 pinch salt

For the Tailgate Mix:

• 2 cups mini pretzels
• 2 cups chex cereal
• 2 cups crunch and munch caramel popcorn
• 2 cups pecan halves
• 2 cups cheerios
• 1 ½ cups butter
• 2 ½ cups brown sugar
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 6 ounces semi sweet chocolate

Optional: 2 cups m & m candies (do not mix in until after mix has cooled)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the Caramel Sauce (make in advance):

• Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
• Do NOT stir and bring to a boil, let it cook until it goes a nice amber colour. You can lightly swish or swirl the pan but do NOT stir at this point.
• Once the liquid is amber in colour remove from heat and add butter. Swish it around until it melts.
• Add the cream and remember it's going to bubble up as caramel does, so make sure you are careful and your pan is big enough to handle it.
• Whisk until mixed.
• Add vanilla and vanilla salt and whisk until smooth.
• Set aside to let cool.

For the Tailgate Mix:

• Combine all your dry ingredients (pretzels, cereal, popcorn, pecans and cheerios) into a large roasting pan, except for the m & m's, those go in later once things cool. Stir them up. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan combine your butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then let it boil for about 3 to 5 minutes. It will become thicker.
• Toss in the chocolate and whisk until it melts and mixture is smooth and slightly thick. Set aside for about 5 minutes to cool a bit.
• Now whisk the mixture then pour over the dry ingredients you have in the roasting pan. Give it a really good stir so you coat everything evenly.
• Line a large cookie sheet with parchment.
• Transfer your mixture to the cookie sheet and pop in a preheated 200 degree oven for 30 minutes. Make sure you stir the mixture half way through the cooking process.
• Remove from the oven and leave out to dry further and cool. About an hour should be good. And this is where you will learn how tough you are. It will be really hard not to just bury your head in the chocolate goodness you are smelling right now but resist people. Trust me.
• Once the popcorn is cool, you want to make sure it's spread evenly on parchment on cookie sheet(s).
• Now warm your caramel just a touch. You don't want it scorching hot but warm enough to drizzle, not hot enough to shrink the other ingredients. Drizzle over the mixture. You can let it dry then flip the mix over and drizzle again if you like.
• Pop back in a 200 degree oven for 30 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes.
• Let cool on pans.
• Add m & m's if desired. And let's be honest, who doesn't desire m & m's. Mix it all up.
• Enjoy with a big old I hate football smile!

Nutrition

Calories: 536kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 579IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 4mg

Thanks for visiting today!

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Toodles! xx