Description
Star crunch cookies from the American South blend chewy caramel, crisp rice cereal, and chocolate in one irresistible treat. Rich chocolate and gooey layers create nostalgic comfort for dessert enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200 g) caramel bits
- 1 cup (175 g) milk chocolate chips
- 4 cups (100 g) crispy rice cereal
- ½ cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120 ml) light corn syrup
- ½ cup (120 ml) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Caramel Foundation: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, creating a golden base for the caramel transformation.
- Sugar Dissolution: Merge granulated sugar and light corn syrup, stirring until the mixture bubbles and sugar dissolves completely into a smooth liquid.
- Caramel Cream Development: Lower heat and incorporate caramel bits and sweetened condensed milk, whisking persistently to create a silky, rich caramel cream with a luxurious texture.
- Flavor Infusion: Remove from heat and blend in vanilla extract, elevating the caramel’s aromatic profile with a subtle depth of flavor.
- Chocolate Integration: Fold milk chocolate chips into the warm caramel, allowing them to melt seamlessly and generate a uniform, glossy chocolate-caramel mixture.
- Cereal Coating: Gently fold crispy rice cereal throughout the chocolate-caramel blend, ensuring each grain receives an even, delectable coating.
- Shaping and Setting: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, spoon rounded portions of the mixture, and delicately flatten into classic round discs. Allow treats to solidify at room temperature or expedite the process by chilling in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Transfer completed star crunch treats to an airtight container, preserving their texture and ensuring optimal enjoyment within a week of preparation.
Notes
- Control Caramel Temperature: Watch the sugar mixture carefully to prevent burning, aiming for a golden amber color without turning dark brown.
- Consistent Stirring Technique: Maintain gentle, continuous stirring when melting ingredients to ensure smooth texture and prevent ingredient separation.
- Chocolate Melting Strategy: Add chocolate chips off the heat to control melting rate and prevent scorching, creating a glossy, even chocolate-caramel blend.
- Cooling and Storage Wisdom: Let treats cool completely at room temperature for optimal texture, or refrigerate briefly to speed up setting without compromising the crispy rice cereal’s crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-60 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg