It is hard to believe that just over a month ago, we were experiencing the deep freeze. Power went out, pipes burst and temperatures and snow fell. When the snow melted, most of us thought every piece of vegetation in our yard was a goner. My first impulse was to pull up every brown bush and plant and start figuring out how I was going to replace it all.
Thank goodness I listened to several garden experts who said to be patient and wait until April to do anything. Now I’m seeing little green leaves and shoots on almost everything I thought was dead. Isn’t nature just grand!
It’s looking and feeling like Spring, a time of new beginnings. This Spring will be especially sweet compared to what happened last Spring. This year we will be able to gather the family for an outdoor Easter egg hunt and picnic, and I can’t wait!
I’m working on the menu now, and one thing I know I will make is called “Good for You Snack Mix”. Its name may be misleading because it is pretty sugary, so nutritionally, it’s probably not so good for you. It is really delicious and makes a great snack to have out at a gathering or to put in a pretty container as a gift, so it makes me feel good when I do that. Good for you and good for me!
Another thing I like about this recipe is that you can add seasonal stir-ins. For instance, the batch I’m making for Easter will have the special Easter pastel M&M’s mixed in. It just adds a festive touch.
Here’s the recipe. I hope you try it because I know you will like it – Good for you!
GOOD FOR YOU SNACK MIX
- 6 cups Cheerios
- 1 16 oz. can of salted peanuts
- 2 cups pretzel sticks
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup light Karo syrup
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- M&M’s, raisins, chocolate chips or other stir-ins (optional)
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
- Grease 2 rimmed baking sheets.
- Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until bubbly around the edges. Boil for EXACTLY 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda.
- Pour the hot mixture over the cereal mixture, and stir until well coated.
- Divide and spread evenly into 2 greased rimmed baking sheets. (I like jelly roll or broiler pans.)
- Bake at 250 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Pour out onto waxed paper to cool.
- Break apart and put into serving bowl or airtight storage container.
- Add stir-ins if desired.
Note: 1 large box of Cheerios makes two batches, but I don’t recommend doubling this recipe because it will be too much hot sticky stuff to stir and mix at one time. I just make 2 batches back- to- back. (You are going to want 2 batches because it is that good!)
– Becky Lynn is a writer for EllisDownHome.com. She and her husband Bob enjoy spending time with their 8 grandchildren and traveling. Becky loves cranking up the music and heading to the kitchen to try out new recipes or cook for an upcoming party. She is passionate about continuing to be a life-long learner!
