Fall Trail Mix

You can eat this trail mix at any time....and I do, but it feels right for the fall and it's so simple to put together!

My friend Susan shared this with me years ago and it will always be "Susan's mix."  It's the perfect mix of sweet with just a tiny hint of spicy (which you can leave out if you want, but most people don't even know that.  

Without further ado, or unnecessary words:  

Ingredients:  6 c. plain chex, 1 c. pecans, 1 c. pretzels (I always add a few more pecans and pretzels), 1 1/2 stick melted butter, 3/4 c. brown sugar, 1 scant tsp Cayenne pepper

Instructions:  Melt butter and stir in brown sugar and cayenne pepper.  

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.  Pour the butter mix over the dry mix and toss until the pieces are coated.  

Lay out on a large sheet pan and bake at 350 for 8 minutes.  Pull it out and stir.  Back another 8 minutes.  Cool and bag.  This should last at least a week if stored right, but....it's so delicious it won't last that long!  

 

Sweet and Salty Trail Mix

 Years ago I had this particular mix of 'stuff' in a trial mix at a staff development.  I made it a few times afterwards, and every time I was asked for the recipe.  It's a strange sounding mix, but it really is the perfect mix of salty and sweet!!!  This week I wanted to take a little something to some of the gals I've been teaching with FOREVER to celebrate another first day, so I threw this little vintage mix together...

 Sweet and Salty Trail Mix:  3/4 of a bag of fritoes, 1 bag of gold fish crackers, 1 can of mixed nuts, 1 cup of raisins, 1 c. of coconut flakes, 1 bag of peanut butter m&m's (8 oz), 1 bag of crispy m&ms (8oz).

Blue Bird Trail Mix

 I made some baskets I'll share tomorrow, and I wanted to fill them with something that looks like a nest.  I started out with some trail mix and coconuts.....then added candy coated 'eggs', and then I had the idea for these pretzel birds.  Why not? 
I dyed some white chocolate blue with one drop of chocolate. 

 After dipping the pretzel, I like to set the bottom on a fork and tap it so the excess falls away and the top looks smooth.  I usually put it off the fork onto wax paper with the edge of a knife. 

I dipped the bottom in orange melted chocolate and added some mini chocolate chips for eyes.  Birds and their nest.....kinda cute.