Description
This Homemade Star Crunch recipe recreates the nostalgic Little Debbie treat with a delicious blend of gooey caramel, rich chocolate, and crispy rice cereal. These chewy, chocolatey snacks are super easy to make, require no baking, and are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) light corn syrup (or honey)
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (250 g) caramel bits (or unwrapped soft caramels)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (175 g) milk chocolate chips
- 4 cups (100 g) crispy rice cereal (e.g., Rice Krispies)
Instructions
🍬 Make the Caramel Mixture:
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Melt Butter:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
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Add Sugar and Syrup:
- Stir in granulated sugar and light corn syrup.
- Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves (2-3 minutes).
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Add Caramel and Condensed Milk:
- Reduce heat to low.
- Add caramel bits and sweetened condensed milk.
- Stir until caramels are fully melted and the mixture is smooth (3-5 minutes).
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Add Vanilla:
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
🍫 Combine with Cereal:
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Melt Chocolate:
- Add milk chocolate chips to the warm caramel mixture.
- Stir until completely melted and smooth.
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Mix with Cereal:
- Gently fold in crispy rice cereal until evenly coated.
🍪 Shape the Star Crunch:
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Portion the Mixture:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Drop 2-tablespoon-sized scoops of the mixture onto the baking sheet.
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Shape into Disks:
- Lightly press each scoop into a round, flat shape resembling traditional Star Crunch.
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Cool and Set:
- Allow the treats to cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours until firm.
- To speed up the process, refrigerate for 30 minutes.
🍽️ Serve:
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Enjoy:
- Once set, enjoy these chewy, chocolatey treats as a snack or dessert!
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Storage:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Add Extra Crunch: Mix in 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows or 1/4 cup of chopped nuts for added texture.
- Make It Nut-Free: Use sunflower seed butter or skip nut-based ingredients for allergy-friendly treats.
- Freezer-Friendly: Freeze the Star Crunch in an airtight container for up to 2 months.