| 3 | cups Corn Chex® cereal |
| 3 | cups Wheat Chex® cereal |
| 2 | cups Chocolate Chex® cereal |
| 2 | cups bite-size square cheese crackers |
| 3 | cups cheese popcorn |
| 1/4 | cup butter |
| 1/3 | cup light brown sugar or molasses |
| 1/3 | cup light corn syrup |
| 1/2 | teaspoon salt |
| 1/2 | teaspoon baking soda |
| 1. | Mix cereals, 1 cup of the cheese crackers and 2 cups of the popcorn in large, microwavable bowl. Set aside. |
| 2. | Place butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt in 2-cup microwavable measuring cup. Microwave on High 1 minute 30 seconds. Stir; microwave on High until bubbling. Remove from microwave; stir in baking soda. Mixture will foam up, but keep mixing until baking soda is dissolved. Pour over the cereal mixture; stir until fully coated. |
| 3. | Microwave on High 4 to 5 minutes, stirring after every minute. Spread on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Let cool for about 5 minutes to let caramel fully harden. Stir in remaining 1 cup cheese crackers and 1 cup popcorn. |
| Contestant's Tip |
| "One of my bosses at work brought in some Chicago blend popcorn (caramel popcorn mixed with cheese popcorn) and it was great. I thought of it when this contest came up and made up a Chex® Mix based on it. If you like a lighter caramel, use the brown sugar. If you like a darker, heavier caramel, use the molasses. I like the variation in the flavor, so I withhold a cup of cheese crackers and popcorn until after cooking, but if you want everything coated with caramel, throw it all in!" |