Christmas Crunch

Of the 4,372 things that make me nervous to raise kids, keeping them away from drugs is in the top 5.  I can preach and threaten and point out examples but at some point I won’t have this much influence and that scares the bejeebers out of me.  When my friend, Elizabeth, sent this recipe – called Christmas Crack – I started to hyperventilate then I had to adjust the name (forgive me Elizabeth!).  

Christmas Crunch

Last night I walked downstairs and found David sprawled out on the easy chair consuming this and simultaneously saying “take this away from me.”    

1. 2 cups of Honey Nut Cheerios cereal
2. 6 cups of Golden Grahams cereal
3. 1 cup honey roasted peanuts
4. 1 cup of pecans
5. ½ cup (1 stick) of butter
6. 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
7. ¼ cup light corn syrup
8. 2 cups of pretzel sticks
9. 1 cup of M&Ms (holiday colors make it look festive!)

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine cereals, peanuts and pecans in a large bowl (I actually did not use pecans).  Melt butter in a 3 quart saucepan over medium low, stir in sugar and syrup.  Bring to a boil over medium heat for 2 minutes.  Pour mixture over cereal in bowl and stir quickly to coat.  Spread in a single layer on a light greased jelly roll pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Transfer to wax paper and cool for 10 minutes.  Try not to eat.  Break into pieces and toss with pretzels and M&Ms.