New Year's Eve Snack Idea

New Year's Eve is coming up fast!  I can't believe 2009 is about to come to an end.  Seems like this past year has flown by so fast.  Maybe because I have spent the majority of the year chasing a sweet baby girl or dealing with a four year old who wants to "reason" with you now, or navigating the drama that comes with a pre-adolescent girl!!

I'm tired just thinking about all of it.

Anyway, I wanted to share a good idea for a New Year's Eve snack.  One of our secretaries at church makes this really yummy snack mix and I recently acquired the recipe from her.  Thank you for sharing Dawn!  I made this last night for our family to snack on while watching Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin's "Artist and Models".  Hope you'll try it and enjoy with your family.

"Caramel Apple Snack Mix"

7 cups popcorn (one regular size microwave bag)

4 cups Chex cereal

4 cups Apple Jacks

2 cups salted peanuts

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter cubed

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

In a large greased bowl combine the popcorn, cereals and nuts.  Set aside.

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup.  Heat to boiling on medium and let boil for 5 minutes.

Pull off stove.  Add vanilla extract and baking soda.  Stir until it is light and foaming.

Pour over the cereal mixture and stir.

Place on wax paper on a cookie sheet.  Spray wax paper with cooking spray before putting the snack mix on it.

Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes.

Happy New Year,

Jennifer