Brown Sugar Chex Mix

'Tis the season to be a lazy -- no, let's use a better term -- efficient cook. With kids jingle-belling, and everyone telling you to be of good cheer, there really isn't much time to do any cooking other than roasting those marshmallows.

But there's always a need for last-minute gift, and making them in your kitchen is a nice, and potentially economical, way to go. Some recipes even come together in a flash.

This is one of those recipes. In about half an hour, you'll have a tasty treat that virtually everyone will like. (It's not fancy or pretentious, which may be why it's so popular.) It's reminicest of caramel corn, and you can add or subtract treats to add to the caramel. Here's the original recipe, which is a bit different from the one below. For a chocolate (and super sweet) hit, you might even mix in some plain M&Ms after the caramel has cooled. Nuts would be a fun add in, too; I'm not a peanut fan, but pecans would be delicious.

Brown Sugar Chex Mix

8 cups Corn or Rice Chex cereal
1 cup mini pretzels
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
1/4 tsp. vanilla


In large microwavable bowl, mix cereal and pretzels.

In medium microwavable bowl, microwave butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla uncovered on High about 2 minutes or until mixture is boiling, stirring after 1 minute. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated.

Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after every minute. Spread on waxed paper to cool, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to break up. Store in airtight container.

Makes about 19, 1/2 cup servings.

Grade: A