(We haven't had a chance to try these recipes yet, but they look delicious!)
Crunchy Cheerios
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
6 cups Cheerios
1 cup salted Spanish peanuts
1 cup raisins
Heat first 4 ingredients until bubbly. Stir, then cook 2 minutes longer. (Can use microwave, but I never have.) Stir in baking soda. Combine the last three ingredients and add the warm mixture, stirring until coated.
Bake in greased pan (jelly-roll size if you have it, otherwise a large baking sheet) at 250° for 15 minutes. Stir several times. Let stand until cool; makes 10 cups.
Arrange a cup at a time in red cling wrap and tie with a bow.
Puppy Chow
1/2 cup butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
12 oz. chocolate chips
13 oz. Crispix cereal
3 to 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Melt the first three ingredients, stirring until completely smooth. Stir into Crispix. Mix well until the cereal is well coated.
Put the powdered sugar into a large paper grocery bag, then add the Crispix mixture. Take it OUTSIDE (believe me), and shake like crazy.
I used to make this for treats for my kids' birthdays at school, since most kids love it, and it also makes great Valentine's favors. The recipe can be easily doubled. And it's another treat that looks great wrapped in a colored cling wrap tied with festive ribbon.
