Homemade Chex Mix

I have been eyeing up the recipe on my Chex cereal box for a week or so now for what they call "Ultimate Snack Mix", which  is basically a homemade version of Chex Mix. Well, I am definitely a lover of Chex Mix and any thing that I can do homemade is a plus in my book. I love knowing what is actually going into my snacks and even being able to adjust or adapt a recipe to my liking. This recipe is definitely a fun one to do with kids and a perfect snack to bring along in the diaper bag.  Give it a try, it is rather simple to make.

Ingredients

- 1/4 cup of butter (I used salted butter, but you can use unsalted or even margarine if you prefer)

- 4 tsp of Worcestershire sauce

- 1 tsp of salt

- 1 tsp of garlic powder

-1/2 tsp of onion powder

- 1/4 tsp of sugar

- 7 cups of Chex cereal (you can use rice, corn, or wheat version or a mix of all of them)

- 1 cup of pretzels

- 1 cup of oyster crackers (you can also use cheese crackers, sesame sticks, or bagel chips)

Optional

- 1 cup of peanuts or cashews (I opted out this time)

1) Melt the butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Then add the Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar and mix. 

2) While the butter is melting measure out your cereal, pretzels, crackers, and your nuts (if using nuts) in a large bowl and blend together, then set aside.

3) After your butter and seasoning mixture is stirred slowly add your cereal mixture. Stir to coat evenly.

4) Place your bowl of coated ingredients in the microwave for 5 to 6 minutes on high, making sure to stir thoroughly ever 2 minutes, scrapping the sides and bottom of the bowl. After heating your mixture spread evenly on a paper towel lined baking sheet and allow to cool.

After your mixture has cooled it is finished and you can dig in; store the remaining in an air tight container.

If you prefer not to use the microwave to heat your mix, you can preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, prep your mixture the same way, then spread it on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, stirring ever 15 minutes.

You can adjust this recipe to your liking for your add ins and even your seasonings if you prefer; I do enjoy this recipe as is and so do my kiddos. I hope you get a chance to try this simple recipe.

Enjoy!!

Rice Krispy Treats With A Twist

About 5 years ago I started making all my rice krispy treats with Cheerios instead of rice krispies. I love the way they taste and the texture, it is a nice change from the normally rice krispy treat that everyone knows and loves (including me). Truth be told the possibilities are endless of what you can add to the melted marshmallows to make nice treats. I do urge you to try it with Cheerios though. I have done it with plain Cheerios mainly, but this time I switched it up and did a mix of chocolate Cheerios and peanut butter Cheerios... AMAZING is all I have to say about them. So here they are:

Ingredients

- 3 tablespoons of butter (I used salted. Note: diet butters or tub margarines are not recommended)

- 1 10 oz package of marshmallows

- 6 cups of Cheerios (I used 3 cups each of chocolate and peanut butter Cheerios)

1) Melt the butter on low heat in a large saucepan. Then add the marshmallows.

2) Stir the marshmallow and butter mixture until the marshmallows have completely melted. (Note: while the marshmallows were melting I quickly measured 3 cups each of the Cheerios and blended them together in a large bowl)

3) Once the marshmallows are completely melted add the Cheerios and stir until evenly coated.

4) Lastly, transfer your coated Cheerios to a greased glass casserole dish and spread evenly. Note: use a greased spatula or spoon to spread your mixture, if not your Cheerios will stick to your spatula or spoon.

All that is left after those steps to allow to cool, cut, and devour them. Quick sidenote: they are amazing warm too; allow them to cool slightly, so your don't burn your tongue on the hot marshmallow, and then cut a piece and enjoy. I would definitely recommend trying this recipe, it is simple and super tasty.

Enjoy!!!

Homemade Uncrustables

First off, I know it has been forever since I have posted. This year has not been what I expected, after I started to recover from my broken arm, I ruptured my tendon, needing surgery. Well, I have now been in a splint for 11 weeks and am just dying to get back into cooking and blogging; so, I have decided to get back into it slowly with this simple post.

For those of you who have kids you probably know what uncrustables are and how expensive they can be for what they are. Seriously, they are a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, without crust, and can be frozen. Super simple and so convenient, but I refuse to pay $14 for a box of 18 at Costco, when making them at home only cost me $1.75 for 10! These will be our go to for trips to the beach, park, and zoo this summer; just make and freeze them ahead of time, throw them in a cooler or bag, and they will be ready to enjoy by lunch. Give these a try, the kids will love them.

Ingredients

- 1 loaf of your favorite bread

- peanut butter

- jelly, jam, or preserves of your choice (we went with strawberry preserves)

1) Using a large round cookie cutter or a glass and knife (like I did), remove the crusts off of all the slices of bread.

2) Lay each slice of bread on cookie sheet and spread a thin layer of peanut butter on each slice, making sure to stay at least a 1/4 inch from the edges, it will make it easier to crimp the edges.

3) Place a small spoonful of jelly or preserves (about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp) in the middle of half of your slices of bread. Make sure not to over fill with jelly, and there is no need to spread it out.

4) Lastly, place the slices of bread without jelly on them on top of the slices with jelly (peanut butter side down obviously ;) ). Then if you have a sandwich crimper you can use that or you can use a fork to crimp the edges, which is what I did. Then place the cookie sheet in the freezer or enjoy now.

After mine were frozen I wrapped each individually and placed them back in the freezer for when we are ready for them. When I know we are doing PB & J for lunch, I just take some out of the freezer when we wake up and place them in the refrigerator. And when we are heading to the park I throw a few in a little cooler bag in the diaper bag, they make a great snack for when the kids need some energy from playing so hard. Give them a try.

Enjoy!!