12weeks of Christmas Cookies-Cranberry Orange Snack Mix

I am going to deviate a little from cookies this week and share a nice snack mix that is quick, easy and very good.  This is a good to have on hand for whenever the "munchies" come, which for me is often.

This recipe is from Betty Crocker and Chex so originally call for three kinds of Chex cereal.  I have adapted the recipe to use Chex plus Kix and Cheerios because I like the variety of shapes that this gives to the mix.  Any combination of cereals can be used as along as the total amount is 9 cups.  Although the original recipe doesn't call for it, I sometimes add 1 t. cinnamon or other spice to this to give it a little different flavor.  I have also upped the amount of cranberries since the original recipe called for only 1/2 c.  Some chopped, dried apricots can be added to this also.

Although butter or margarine can be used, I always use butter for the flavor.  I measure my orange juice into the measuring cup unthawed which probably gives the mix a more intense orange flavor than if I measured it thawed.

Cranberry Orange Snack Mix

3 c. Rice Chex cereal

2 c. Corn Chex cereal

2 c. Kix cereal

2 c. Cheerios cereal

1 c. sliced almonds

1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted

1/4 c. packed brown sugar, light or dark

1/4 c. frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1/2 to 1 c. dried cranberries

Mix cereals and almonds in a large bowl.  Melt butter in a glass 2-cup measuring cup in the microwave.  Add brown sugar and orange juice to the butter.  Microwave uncovered on High for 30 seconds.  Stir until smooth.  Pour butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.  Pour into large greased roasting pan.  Bake at 300 degrees 30 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes.  Remove from oven, add cranberries and mix well. Cool.  Store in airtight container or plastic zip-top food-storage bag.  Makes 10 c. snack mix.

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