Chex Mix

There is something about Christmas time that reminds me of Chex Mix.  I don't know why.  It must be repressed memories from commercials or movies because it is not something that my family made growing up.  But I still think of it when I think of Christmas.  I had visions of my family snacking on warm, tangy, salty Chex Mix while snuggled up under a blanket watching Rudolph or Frosty or the Grinch or (more accurately) all of them.  So with Christmas nearing, I bought ingredients in preparation for it.  It's all been sitting in the pantry just waiting.  I thought maybe I would make it on Christmas Eve but when we woke up to snow yesterday morning, it hit me.  This will be the perfect day to make Chex Mix!  It never snows in this part of North Carolina in December.  I mean never!  It hardly ever snows here- period!  So to see this 9 days before Christmas was exciting to say the least!  My daughter is 4 years old & so captivated by the magic of Santa & Christmas.  It is intoxicating to watch & I am loving every second of it.  Having snow on the ground made it all that much more festive for us.  We spent the day making ornaments, listening to Christmas music, baking Chex Mix, & watching Christmas movies.  It was truly a heart warming, wonderful day.  And from now on when we make Chex Mix for Christmas, we will remember it fondly. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Corn Chex Cereal

1 1/2 cups Wheat Chex Cereal

1 cup Gold Fish Crackers

1/2 cup Cashew Halves (roasted & salted, out of a can)

1/2 cup Pecan Halves (raw)

6 tbsp Butter

2 cloves of Garlic, minced

4 dashes Worcheshire Sauce

3-4 dashes Hot Sauce

3/4 tsp Lawry's Seasoning Salt

1/4 tsp Onion Powder

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. 

In a small, microwave save bowl add the butter, garlic, Worcheshire & Hot Sauces, & seasonings.  Microwave in 10-15 second intervals until the butter is melted.  Stir well to incorporate.   

 In a large bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients.  And feel free to customize here.  Like the Gold Fish, those were special for my daughter.  But you could add in pretzels, bagel chips, mixed nut, what ever you'd like!

 I like to line my baking pans with aluminum foil for easy clean up.  Look at that face!  My helper was really concentrating!! 

 Pour the melted, seasoned butter over the cereal mixture & gently stir to coat.

 Spread onto a baking sheet. 

 Get very excited because this stuff is GOOD!!

 Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hr & 15 minutes, stirring ever 15 minutes.

 Enjoy the wonderful smell that takes over your house!

 Warm, straight from the oven- there's nothing like it! 

 Serve immediately.  Store left overs in an air tight container. 

This Chex Mix was based off of the Pioneer Woman's recipe.   

And here's a preview of the family ornaments that we're making this year.  Letters spelling our last name, with their first coat of paint...I'll post a follow up picture of them when they are finished.  :)

Snickerdoodles

Where have these delicious delights been all my life???  I don't know why I hadn't ever had a Snickerdoodle before, or even heard of them, but when I saw the recipe I couldn't resist trying them.  I am so glad I did!  These are the most genius simple cookie!  The absolutely perfect combination of butter, cinnamon & sugar; they are crispy on the outside but chewy & cake like on the inside.  My family just loved them.  Move over chocolate chip, there's a new cookie in our jar! 

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

2 tsp Cream of Tartar

16 Tbsp Butter, at room temperature (2 sticks)

1 1/2 cup White, Granulated Sugar

2 Eggs

(for the coating)

1/4 cup White, Granulated Sugar

2 tbsp ground Cinnamon

Directions:

In a medium bowl, whisk (or sift) together the flour, salt, baking soda, & cream of tartar.  Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter & sugar on medium speed until fluffy & smooth. (About 2-3 min.)  Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl. 

Slowly add the flour mixture & beat until smooth. 

Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill for about 15 minutes (or as long as over night if you'd like).  Mean while, with one rack on the top third of the oven & the other on the bottom third, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.  In a medium bowl, combine the coating (sugar & cinnamon). 

Roll the cookie dough into 1" balls, about a 1-1 1/2 tsp, and drop into the coating.    

Roll to coat on all sides then place 2" apart on the sheet pan.  

I did 1 dozen per sheet pan. 

Bake at 400 degrees until they are set in the center & start to crack (about 10 min) rotating the baking sheets after 5 minutes. 

Let cookies cool on cookie set for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

This batch made 2 1/2 dozen cookies. 

 Enjoy them before they are all gone! 

I found this wonderful recipe on Smitten Kitchen.