• Recipes: Classic Chex Mix in the Crockpot (Gluten, Peanut, & Dairy Free)

    Original Chex Mix

    Classic Chex Mix made in the Crockpot!

    I have always enjoyed Chex Mix!  It is a great winter snack food as you are sitting by the fire or playing board games around the dining room table.  There are so many amazing variations to it as well.  I especially like the sweet Chex Mix recipes here are some of my favorites:

    The other day I decided to try making the Classic Chex Mix out with items I already had in our pantry and in the crockpot.  I added several variations to the Classic Chex Mix because we have a family member that cannot have peanuts or dairy and we have some friends who cannot have gluten.  My recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and peanut free for those who do not want to use those products in their Classic Chex Mix. You can substitute regular pretzels, dairy butter, or peanuts if you would prefer them instead.

    Classic Chex Mix (Gluten & Peanut Free)

    • 5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
    • 5 cups Corn Crunch Cereal
    • 2 cups Gluten Free Pretzels
    • 1 cup Almonds
    • 6 Tablespoons Dairy-Free Butter or Margarine (melted)
    • 1/2 Tablespoon Seasoned Salt
    • 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
    • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

    Place the cereal, pretzels, and almonds into your crockpot.  Melt the butter (or margarine) in a separate bowl and mix in the salt, garlic, and worcestershire sauce.  Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture in the crockpot and gently stir until the cereal is evenly coated.  Cover and turn the crockpot on low for 3 hours.  If your crockpot does not have a hole for moisture to escape you can leave a slight gap at the lid so the moisture can escape otherwise you can place a towel or paper towel up by the lid of the crockpot to absorb any condensation from the Chex Mix cooking.  Stir the Chex Mix every hour to keep it from burning.  Once it is done spread the mixture out evenly on parchment paper and let it cool.

    I love using my crockpot for a variety of great recipes.  Plus the house smells amazing as the food cooks.  The only thing I forgot to do was take a picture of the finished Classic Chex Mix.  Sorry!  Guess it is time to make another batch.  It turned out well.  I still prefer the “sweet” Chex mixes over the salty, but this was a great alternative snack to have around the house for those who cannot eat gluten, dairy, or peanuts!

  • Funfetti Cake Batter Chex Mix

    Brina helped me make three different types of chex mix for a party earlier this week and they were a huge hit! 🙂   The three recipes were Caramel Party Mix (Gluten Free Snack), Puppy Chow, and the new one Funfetti Cake Batter Chex Mix. I have been making the Puppy Chow since I was a kid and the Caramel one for a few years now (thanks to a sweet friend who shared it with me), but I adapted the Funfetti Cake Batter Chex Mix from Six Sisters Stuff  which was a hit and great addition to our recipe collection.

    Funfetti Cake Batter Chex Mix

    • 6  cups Rice or Corn Chex Cereal (store brands work well too)
    • 12 oz Vanilla Almond Bark
    • 2 cups Funfetti Cake Mix
    • 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Vegetable Shortening
    • 1/2 teaspoon Sprinkles
    Pour cereal into a large bowl and set aside. Mix the funfetti cake mix and powdered sugar in a large ziplock bag and set aside.
    Melt Almond Bark according to package directions.  Once melted add vegetable shortening to thin so it coats the chex better.  Pour the melted almond bark over the chex cereal.  Mix gently with a large spatula until the cereal is coated.
    Pour the coated chex cereal into the bag with the funfetti cake and powdered sugar mixture and gently shake to evenly coat the snack.  Scoop into a bowl, put a few sprinkles over the top and serve.
    • 2 sticks of Butter
    • 2 cups of Brown Sugar
    • 1/2 cup of Kairo Syrup
    • 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda
    • 1 box of Corn (or Rice) Chex Cereal (you can use store brands too)

    Put the whole box of cereal in a microwavable bowl.  Bring the butter, brown sugar, and kairo syrup to a boil.  Boil for one minute.  Make sure to stir constantly when boiling so it doesn’t burn.  After boiling for 1 minute add the baking soda.  Pour the mixture over the box of Corn (or Rice) cereal.  Microwave everything 1 1/2 minutes, take it out, stir, and microwave again.  Do this step 3 times.  It will evenly distribute the mixture and coat the cereal.  Lay the mix out on wax paper or the counter and let set.

    Optional: You can add pretzels, pecans, almonds, cranberries or whatever you want to the mix. (If you want it to remain gluten free do not add pretzel as pictured above, however, you can add nuts if they do not have any nut allergies)

    Puppy Chow

    • 9 cups of Rice or Corn Chex cereal (store brands work well too)
    • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
    • 1/2 cup peanut butter
    • 1/4 cup butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
    Pour 9 cups of rice (or corn) cereal into a bowl set aside.  Put the powdered sugar into a Ziploc bag and set aside.
    Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter on medium heat, stirring constantly. Once melted, add vanilla and stir well.
    Pour over Rice Chex cereal and stir with a rubber spatula until Chex is evenly coated. Add chex mixture to bag and shake bag gently until the powdered sugar is evenly distributed over all the mix.
  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of January 25 – 31, 2012

    The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.  It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals.  Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meats and Seafood

    Port Side Polluck Fillets (16 oz) – $2.99

    Port Side Salmon Fillets (16 oz) – $4.99

    Curly’s, BBQ Beef or Pork (18 oz) – $3.99

    Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).

    Fridge and Freezer

    Mr. P’s Pizza, Pepperoni or Supreme (6.5 oz) – $0.79

    Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (4 pack, 24 oz) – $1.79

    Take ‘n Bake Pizza, Supreme or Pepperoni (33 to 36 oz) – $5.99

    Take ‘n Bake Cheese Pizza (33 oz) – $5.49

     Save A Lot Today Pizza Rolls (7.5 oz) – $0.99

    Mantia’s French Bread Pizza (11 oz) – $1.99

    Morning Delight Buttermilk Waffles (12.3 oz) – $1.69

    Snack-A-Tizers Cream Cheese Jalapenos (8 oz) – $2.39

    Household

    Wrightware Foam Plates (100 count) – $2.49

    Grocery

    Chex Mix Snack Mix (5.5 oz) – $0.99
    Use $0.60/1 printable coupon from Eat Better America
    Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
    As low as $0.39 each after coupon

    Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks and Fruit Roll Ups (4 to 5 oz) – $1.99
    Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
    As low as $1.49 each after coupon

    Keebler Town House or Club Crackers (11 to 16 oz) – $2.49

    JJ’s Pies, Cherry, Apple or Chocolate (4 oz) – $0.50

    Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce, Assorted Variety (26.5 oz) – $0.99

    Budget Gourmet, Fettuccine Alfredo or Mac n Cheese (7.5 oz) – $0.69

    V8 Vegetable Juice, Regular or Low Sodium (64 oz) – $2.99
    Use $2.00/3 printable coupon from V8 Juice
    Use $1.00/2 printable coupon from Campbell’s Kitchen
    Use $0.75/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
    Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
     As low as $2.33 each after coupon

    Sweet Bunz Big Honey Bun (7.5 oz) – $0.88

    Sun-Maid Raisin English Muffin (15 oz) – $1.49

    J Higgs Potato Chips, Assorted Varieties (8 oz) – $1.29

    J Higgs Pretzels (12 oz) – $1.19

    J Higgs Tortilla Chips (11 oz) $1.49

    Senora Verde Salsa (16 oz) – $1.49

    J Higgs Cheese Bit Crackers (9 oz) – $1.69

    Ginger Evans Pudding Cups (14 oz) – $0.89

     Mantia Spaghetti (16 oz) – $0.99

    Mantia’s Pizza Crust Mix (6.5 oz) – $0.49

    Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (16 oz) – $0.99

    Wylwood Stems and Pieces (4 oz) – $0.69

    Kaskey’s Chicken Noodle Soup (10.5 oz) – $0.59

    Morning Delight Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix (32 oz) – $1.89

    Morning Delight Syrup (24 oz) – $1.79

    Bramley’s Honey Bear (12 oz) – $2.89

    Ginger Evans Muffin Mix (4.5 oz) – $0.69

    Maruchan Ramen Noodles, Chicken or Beef (6 pack) – $0.99

    Port Side Sardines – $0.99

    Save A Lot Today Cereal, Assorted Varieties (7 oz) – $1.00

    Chef’s Finest Croutons (5 oz) – $1.19

    McCormick Bacon Bits (4.4 oz) – $1.49

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

    For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of January 18 – 24, 2012

    The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.  It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals.  Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meats and Seafood

    Port Side Polluck Fillets (16 oz) – $2.99

    Port Side Salmon Fillets (16 oz) – $4.99

    Curly’s, BBQ Beef or Pork (18 oz) – $3.99

    Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).

    Fridge and Freezer

    Mr. P’s Pizza, Pepperoni or Supreme (6.5 oz) – $0.79

    Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (4 pack, 24 oz) – $1.79

    Take ‘n Bake Pizza, Supreme or Pepperoni (33 to 36 oz) – $5.99

    Take ‘n Bake Cheese Pizza (33 oz) – $5.49

     Save A Lot Today Pizza Rolls (7.5 oz) – $0.99

    Mantia’s French Bread Pizza (11 oz) – $1.99

    Morning Delight Buttermilk Waffles (12.3 oz) – $1.69

    Snack-A-Tizers Cream Cheese Jalapenos (8 oz) – $2.39

    Household

    Wrightware Foam Plates (100 count) – $2.49

    Grocery

    Chex Mix Snack Mix (5.5 oz) – $0.99
    Use $0.60/1 printable coupon from Eat Better America
    Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
    As low as $0.39 each after coupon

    Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks and Fruit Roll Ups (4 to 5 oz) – $1.99
    Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
    As low as $1.49 each after coupon

    Keebler Town House or Club Crackers (11 to 16 oz) – $2.49

    JJ’s Pies, Cherry, Apple or Chocolate (4 oz) – $0.50

    Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce, Assorted Variety (26.5 oz) – $0.99

    Budget Gourmet, Fettuccine Alfredo or Mac n Cheese (7.5 oz) – $0.69

    V8 Vegetable Juice, Regular or Low Sodium (64 oz) – $2.99
    Use $2.00/3 printable coupon from V8 Juice
    Use $1.00/2 printable coupon from Campbell’s Kitchen
    Use $0.75/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
    Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
     As low as $2.33 each after coupon

    Sweet Bunz Big Honey Bun (7.5 oz) – $0.88

    Sun-Maid Raisin English Muffin (15 oz) – $1.49

    J Higgs Potato Chips, Assorted Varieties (8 oz) – $1.29

    J Higgs Pretzels (12 oz) – $1.19

    J Higgs Tortilla Chips (11 oz) $1.49

    Senora Verde Salsa (16 oz) – $1.49

    J Higgs Cheese Bit Crackers (9 oz) – $1.69

    Ginger Evans Pudding Cups (14 oz) – $0.89

     Mantia Spaghetti (16 oz) – $0.99

    Mantia’s Pizza Crust Mix (6.5 oz) – $0.49

    Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (16 oz) – $0.99

    Wylwood Stems and Pieces (4 oz) – $0.69

    Kaskey’s Chicken Noodle Soup (10.5 oz) – $0.59

    Morning Delight Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix (32 oz) – $1.89

    Morning Delight Syrup (24 oz) – $1.79

    Bramley’s Honey Bear (12 oz) – $2.89

    Ginger Evans Muffin Mix (4.5 oz) – $0.69

    Maruchan Ramen Noodles, Chicken or Beef (6 pack) – $0.99

    Port Side Sardines – $0.99

    Save A Lot Today Cereal, Assorted Varieties (7 oz) – $1.00

    Chef’s Finest Croutons (5 oz) – $1.19

    McCormick Bacon Bits (4.4 oz) – $1.49

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

    For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.

  • Recipe: Caramel Party Mix (Gluten Free Snack)

    In a conversation recently I realized that we have several acquaintances that have various food allergies.  A couple years ago my friend Ashley made this recipe for a Christmas gift and it was delicious.  With the Holidays and parties quickly approaching this is a great recipe for those who have a Gluten Free diet.  It has only 5 ingredients and easy to make.

    Caramel Party Mix

    • 2 sticks of Butter
    • 2 cups of Brown Sugar
    • 1/2 cup of Kairo Syrup
    • 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda
    • 1 box of Corn (or Rice) Chex Cereal (you can use the off brands too)

    Put the whole box of cereal in a microwavable bowl.  Bring the butter, brown sugar, and kairo syrup to a boil.  Boil for one minute.  Make sure to stir constantly when boiling so it doesn’t burn.  After boiling for 1 minute add the baking soda.  Pour the mixture over the box of Corn (or Rice) cereal.  Microwave everything 1 1/2 minutes, take it out, stir, and microwave again.  Do this step 3 times.  It will evenly distribute the mixture and coat the cereal.  Lay the mix out on wax paper or the counter and let set.

    Optional: You can add pretzels, pecans, almonds, cranberries or whatever you want to the mix. (If you want it to remain gluten free do not add pretzel as pictured above, however, you can add nuts if they do not have any nut allergies)

    My husband loves this plain without any extras in it.  When we have it at a party it goes quickly.  If you are looking to for another delicious Party Mix recipe to give away as a gift or share at a party check out Ashley’s Recipe for Puppy Chow!  It is another one our family favorites!