Orange spiced almonds, salted caramel pretzels, honey-kissed cereal and a melted cinnamon chip drizzle--This is not your average snack mix.
This mix came about because of a peanut allergy. I was helping out with a friend's baby shower this weekend, and after purchasing some peanut butter M&Ms to put in treat cups, I remembered the host has a child with a peanut allergy in her house. Oops--I needed to fill those little cups with something else. So I perused my pantry.
I had a full bag of Snyder's Salted Caramel Pretzel Pieces. These are pretty amazing on their own, but one bag wasn't enough for my needs, so I decided to make a mix.
I also had some raw almonds, Honey Nut Chex cereal, as well as a bag of cinnamon chips in my freezer. Eureka! I had a plan!
I micro-cooked the almonds with orange flavoring and zest, butter, spices and brown sugar. While those were cooling, I mixed everything else but the chips in a large bowl, then added the cooled almonds. I laid all this out on a Silpat-lined cookie sheet, then drizzled it with melted cinnamon chips. Perfect!
Sugar and Spice Snack Mix
Makes 8 cups
Ingredients:
2 cups Orange Spiced Almonds (recipe below)
1 (10 oz) bag Salted Caramel Pretzel Pieces
4 cups Honey Nut Chex (or generic)
1 cup cinnamon baking chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil (or shortening)
Directions:
1. Mix first three ingredients in a large bowl, then spread on wax-paper or a silicon mat. I put my mat on a baking sheet to contain it.
2. In a microwave safe dish, melt cinnamon chips on medium heat for 1 minute. Stir, then add coconut oil and heat in 30 sec intervals until smooth.
3. Using a spoon, drizzle melted cinnamon chips over dry mixture. Let cool, then break up to serve.
Orange Spiced Almonds
Ingredients:
2.5 cups raw almonds
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2-1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon orange extract (optional)
1 tablespoon water
Directions:
1. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter just until mostly melted. Add rest of ingredients and microwave on high, uncovered 3-4 minutes, stirring after each minute.
2. Spread hot spiced nuts on wax paper to cool.
