blue artichoke

As soon as I spy Brach's candy corn on the shelves, I snatch up a bag and, along with Halloween-colored M&Ms, make up a batch of this snack mix. I took a batch to Rhode Island with me (that's where I've been for those who wondered about my many days of silence); it didn't last very long. Try it and you'll see why.

Autumn Snack Mix

4 cups toasted corn or rice squares cereal
2 cups pretzels
1-cup peanuts
1 cup Brach’s Autumn Mix or candy corn
1 cup Pumpkin Patch Mix M&Ms
¼ cup butter
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup corn syrup
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon vanilla

In a large, greased roasting pan, gently mix together the cereal, pretzels and peanuts.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue to boil for five minutes, without stirring.

Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda; the mixture will bubble.

Stir well and pour evenly over the cereal mixture, stirring to coat. Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool completely, occasionally stirring to break up the larger chunks. When completely cool, add the Autumn Mix and M&Ms. Store in an airtight container.

Makes about 9 cups.
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home fall 2005 "Cooking School Cookbook."