Snack Attack

After a turkey and dressing meal, nobody needs snacks. But it's Thanksgiving, right? So if you're looking for a couple of snack mixes to set out for people to munch on either before or after the Turkey Day meal, here are a couple of contenders.

Both of them are from my sister, Lisa. She had the Pumpkin Pie Crunch mix at our family Thanksgiving last year. She doesn't like pumpkin, but this mix has the spices of the season without the orange fruit. Or is it a vegetable? Either way, she doesn't like it, which can be a problem at this time of year.

She brought the other mix to our Christmas Eve celebration. It didn't have a name, so I made one up when I packaged some of the mix to sell at our church bazaar. Maybe you can think of something more clever. No matter the name, it's pretty tasty.

Use them for your Thanksgiving gatherings or set them out for Christmas get-togethers. They would also make a great gift from your kitchen. Package in a decorative tin, and there you have it: A pretty and tasty holiday gift. It can be your secret that they didn't take long to make!

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Crunch Mix

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup butter (no substitutes)
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups Cinnamon Chex cereal
2 cup Honey Nut Chex cereal
2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
8 oz. pecan halves

In a bowl, combine brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice; set aside. In a small, microwave-safe dish, microwave butter on High about 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in vanilla.

In large microwavable bowl, mix all cereals and pecans. Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Add sugar and spice mixture and toss until coated.

Microwave, uncovered, on High for 5 minutes or until mixture starts to brown, stirring ever minute. Spread on waxed paper or parchment paper to cool. Store in airtight container.

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Peanutty Snack Mix

1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)
1 cup white sugar
2 tbsp. vanilla
1 tsp. soda
1 to 2 cups peanuts
14 oz. (2 7-oz. boxes) Ritz Bits with peanut butter
1 bag (12 oz.) pretzels
1 bag M & Ms with peanuts

Combine peanuts, Ritz Bits and pretzels; set aside. Combine butter and sugar. Boil liquid for 5 minutes. Add vanilla and soda; stir. Pour boiled mixture over peanut/pretzel mixture; stir. Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool; break apart. Add peanut M & Ms and stir. Store in airtight container.