Preheat oven to 250F and line one or two baking sheets with parchment or foil, if desired for easier cleanup; set aside.

Buttery Sauce - To a microwave-safe bowl (or you can use a large saucepan although I prefer the microwave), add the butter and heat on high power to melt.

Add all remaining sauce ingredients, and stir or whisk to combine, making sure everything has dissolved. Set aside momentarily.

Dry Mix - To a very large mixing bowl (the biggest one you have) add all the dry mix ingredients.

Evenly pour the buttery sauce over the dry ingredients, and stir to combine and coat evenly. Tip - I find it easiest to stir using a rubber-tipped spatula (like you'd use to scrape the bowl when making cookies) because they're more gentle than other types of spoons and you can flip, toss, and really get in there an mix everything on the bottom of the bowl and flip it to the top, without breaking the cereal.

Spread the mixture over the one or two baking sheets in a single, even, flat layer. Tip - If in doubt, use two because you don't want it extremely crowded and packed in because air needs to circulate.

Bake for about 1 hour, stopping every 15 minutes to flip, toss, and stir. Again, use a rubber-tipped spatula so you don't break the cereal. Notes- Baking time is approximate and if your mix is done after 45 mintes, or takes 75, that's fine; bake until the pieces are toasted and crisped, without being burnt. They will also crisp up more as they cool. If you're baking on two baking sheets, I recommend rotating the placement of the baking sheets as well midway through since whichever is below will be 'shaded' by the one on top and won't be as well-cooked.

Cool the snack mix on the baking sheet(s) before transferring it to airtight containers (I like gallon sized ziplock bags) for storage. Make sure it's completely cooled (a few hours) before transferring it and sealing it or it will become soggy.

Storage - Mix will keep airtight at room temp for up to 1 month. I have frozen it too and it'll keep airtight for up to 3-4 months, but I recommend consuming or gifting it rather than freezing it.