Cooking Thursday

 Here's a yummy snack mix from the Pioneer Woman!  I did laugh at the article I got it from where she said this was a healthy snack.  I don't think it's healthy - I think it's addictive! 

I made a double batch of this to take along on our trip.  It was good for snacking while driving and we enjoyed it at the cabin.  We all thought it was yummy!

As I said, I made a double batch.  If you buy one of the disposable turkey roasting pans, you can do the whole thing at once without a problem.  Enjoy!

Mercantile Snack Mix

4 c.popped popcorn

3 c.toasted corn cereal squares (such as Chex)

2 c.miniature pretzel twists

2 c.salted dry-roasted peanuts (I substituted Cheerios as we are not nut lovers here)

1 c.packed light brown sugar

1 stick salted butter

4 tbsp.light corn syrup 

1 1/2 tsp.vanilla extract

3/4 tsp.baking soda

Preheat the oven to 300 ̊. Line a baking sheet with foil. (If you use the diposable turkey roaster you can skip this step).

In a large bowl, combine the popcorn, cereal, pretzels and peanuts.

In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, without stirring, 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully stir in the vanilla and baking soda. Pour over the popcorn mixture and stir until coated.

Spread the mixture on the prepared pan and bake, stirring every 10 minutes, until evenly coated, about 30 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack and let cool completely, stirring occasionally.