Sweet Pecan & Peanut Butter Blossoms Chex Party Mix

It's here, the holiday season. You know what that means Christmas Shopping, holiday movies and Christmas baking. For me the holidays just wouldn't be the same without making a big batch of Chex Mix. I remember mom making a batch of the Original Chex Mix every Christmas. 
 
 A lot has changed since then. Now when it comes to Chex mix there are so many flavor combinations to choose from. They're perfect for holiday parties and especially great for gift gift giving. I love making different varieties and then sharing them with friends and family. 

A couple weeks ago, the nice folks over at Chex contacted me to see if I would like to create their new Holiday Cookie - Inspired Chex Mixes. The new holiday chex mix varieties are microwavable recipes and ready in just 15 minutes. Making them perfect for last minute gift ideas.

Today I'm sharing two of the cookie-inspired recipes, Peanut Butter Blossoms & Sweet Pecan. By far our favorite was the Sweet Pecan. It tasted just like butter pecan.

I will definetly be making that one again before Christmas. Below you will find the rest of the Holiday Cookie Inspired Chex Mix recipes. 

Holiday Cookie-Inspired Chex Party Mix Recipes:

• Sugar Cookie Chex Party Mix – Add sugar, butter and vanilla to Chex cereal. Give it a quick stir in the microwave, and you’ve got the taste of a sugar cookie in just 15-minutes! Gluten free
• Gingerbread Chex Party Mix – The combination of molasses, ground cinnamon, cinnamon candy and ground ginger make this the easiest, most gingery gingerbread recipe yet.
• Iced Pumpkin Chex Party Mix – Right down to the rich white chocolate cream cheese icing on top, your favorite fall dessert recipe is now a quick and easy snack mix.

The Iced Pumpkin & Sugar Cookie are next on my list to bake.

Sweet Pecan Chex Mix

3  - cups Rice Chex cereal 
3 - cups Corn Chex cereal
3/4 - cup pretzels, optional 

1  1/2 - cups chopped or pecan halves 

1/2 - cup butter or margarine 

1/2 - cup packed brown sugar 

2 - tablespoons maple syrup 

2 - teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Measure cereal, pretzels and pecans in large microwaveable bowl. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper or foil. 

In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave butter uncovered on High 30 seconds or until melted. 

Add sugar and maple syrup; microwave uncovered on High 30 seconds, until mixture is boiling. Stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal and pecans, stirring until evenly coated. 

Microwave uncovered on High 3-4 minutes, stirring every minute. Spread on waxed paper or foil. Store tightly covered.

Oven Baked Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper or foil. Spread the cereal and pretzels out onto the baking sheet. In a medium size saucepan melt the butter, brown sugar and maple syrup together. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat, add the vanilla extract. Pour the mixture over the cereal mixture stirring until the cereal is coated. Place the baking pan in the oven and bake the cereal mixture for 30 minutes, stirring the mixture every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Break into pieces and store tightly covered. 

Peanut Butter Blossoms Chex Mix

3  - cups Corn Chex cereal
3 - cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
1- tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 - cup peanut butter
1/4  - cup brown sugar
1/2 - cup milk chocolate and peanut butter morsels 

In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper or foil.

In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave butter, peanut butter and brown sugar on High about 1-2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until mixture is boiling. 

Pour over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.  Microwave uncovered on High 4 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl every minute.

Microwave uncovered on High 2 more minutes, just until cereal begins to brown. Immediately stir in half of the chips; cool 5 minutes, stir in remaining chips.

Spread on waxed paper to cool. Place in festive Ziploc Brand containers and bags to share with family and friends!