If you’re anything like me, you excel at procrastination. I am the queen of waiting until the last minute to do anything. But with this very post, I may just have accomplished something I’ve never done before and up until now, was not even sure was possible: I both procrastinated and planned ahead at the very same time.
You see, this holiday treat is courtesy of the Recipe Swap. Here’s a little bit of how it works behind the scenes. The swap happens every other week so that everyone participating has enough time to make and blog their recipe. During the off week (on a Monday), our lovely organizer Sarah puts out the theme and call for submissions and then on the day the recipes are due (always a Friday), she swaps the recipes and passes them along, and we have until the following Friday to make it. So essentially, this recipe has been sitting in my inbox for two weeks now.
I’ve looked at the recipe probably twenty times since it arrived. Three times this week, I set out to buy the ingredients but either lack of motivation to leave the couch, inclement weather or a cranky toddler put it on the back burner. But tonight (Thursday), at 7pm, I finally got off my butt, acquired everything I needed and set to work.
It was festive, sweet, tasty and easy to make. And the best part? It took maybe all of 20 minutes to throw together, which is great for a dawdler like me. It would be awesome to bring to a holiday party (who doesn’t love Chex mix?!), which in case you were wondering, I am planning to do this weekend.
Two birds, one stone. Done and done.
Caramel Chex Party Mix – slightly adapted from Chex and submitted to the swap by Nestie DMBlack
- 4 Cups Rice Chex Cereal
- 4 Cups Corn Chex Cereal
- 1 8 oz. Can Mixed Nuts
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 1 Stick (1/2 cup) Butter
- 1/4 Cup Light Corn Syrup
- 1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
- 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
- 1 12 oz. Bag Plain M&Ms
In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the rice and corn cereals and the mixed nuts. Place the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in a smaller microwave safe bowl and microwave, uncovered for 1 minute on high. Remove from microwave, stir, and microwave again 1 minute more, until the mixture has melted and is smooth. Stir in the vanilla and baking soda. Pour the caramel over the cereal and nuts and stir until evenly coated.
Microwave uncovered on high 5-6 minutes, removing and stirring after each minute, until the cereal is lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes, then spread on waxed paper. Cool completely, then break into bite sized pieces and stir in the M&Ms. Store in an airtight container.
