Cooking Thursday

The recipe I'm sharing today is one I originally got from the Pioneer Woman, but I've changed it up a little to suit our tastes. I don't make this often, but it's a fun snack for a gathering and I often make it when we take trips.  It travels well and is a yummy treat on those long drives.
I usually make this in a disposable turkey roaster.  The large size makes it easy to stir up and it will fit a double batch if you want a bunch.

Popcorn Snack Mix

4 cups popped popcorn (I buy a bag of air popped pop corn)

3 cups toasted corn cereal squares (such as Chex)

2 cups miniature pretzel twists

2 cups Cheerios 

1 cup 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 Cheerios.

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.