Munchable, Crunchable M&Ms Mix

This is an altered recipe from Hershey's. It initially called for the now discontinued Kissables and for Heath Bits O' Brickle toffee bits, which I could only find in chocolate coated.

I initially made this because I wanted something that was easy to send through the mail and easy to share. It's a lucky thing I made two batches because this wouldn't have made it out of the house if I hadn't! Yummy!

Ingredients:

* 8 cups popped popcorn I just bought the plain, unsalted pre-popped stuff)
* 2 cups miniature pretzels
* 3/4 cup peanuts
* 1-1/3 cups (8-oz. pkg.) HEATH BITS 'O BRICKLE Toffee Bits (the chocolate covered work, too)
* 1/2 cup light corn syrup
* 1 cup M&Ms Chocolate Candy (I used the Christmas mix as this was a gift)

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 275°F. Grease large roasting pan (OR two 13x9x2-inch baking pans). Place popcorn, pretzels and peanuts in prepared pan.

2. Combine toffee bits and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until toffee is melted (about 12 minutes). Pour over popcorn mixture; stir until evenly coated. Note: If using the chocolate toffee bits watch your pan carefully as the chocolate melts faster. You will want to lower the temperature after the chocolate melts but before the toffee has completely melted. Stir constantly.

3. Bake 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from oven; stir every 2 minutes or until slightly cooled. Cool completely. Stir in candies. Store in tightly covered container in cool, dry place. About 12 cups popcorn mix.

NOTE: For best results, do not double this recipe.

Sweet Peanut Brittle

I adore peanut brittle. And this recipe from Kraft makes it so easy to make! It's great without the added chocolate, too!

We give treats as gifts every year and this always makes it's way into those bags and baskets! The girls like to help with the dipping.

Prep Time: 5 min
Total Time: 50 min
Makes: About 1-1/2 lb.

What You Need

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 Tbsp. butter
2 cups cocktail peanuts
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Make It

SPRAY large baking sheet with cooking spray. Microwave sugar and corn syrup in large glass microwaveable bowl on HIGH 5 min. Stir in butter and peanuts. Microwave 3 to 4 min. or until pale golden brown. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. (Mixture will foam.) Spread onto prepared baking sheet. Cool completely. Break into pieces.

Note: make sure you cook this long enough. If you don't you will lose a cookie sheet (because it won't come off!) And don't line the cookie sheet with anything... Or you'll lose a batch of peanut brittle! Yes, I've done both!

MICROWAVE chocolate in 1-cup glass measuring cup on HIGH 1 to 2 min. or until chocolate is melted when stirred. Add peanut butter; stir until melted. Dip half of each candy piece in chocolate mixture; scrape bottom against edge of cup to remove excess chocolate. Place on sheet of foil or waxed paper. Refrigerate 20 min. or until chocolate is firm.

To add some bite to your brittle add 1t hot pepper sauce when you add vanilla.