Apple Cinnamon Snack Mix

Apple Pie Chex™ Mix

Ingredients

• 3 cups Cinnamon Chex™ cereal (or Cinnamon Toast Cruch)
• 3 cups Rice Chex™ cereal
• 1 cup walnut pieces (opt.)
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups dried or freeze-dried apples, coarsely chopped if necessary
• 1 cup white vanilla baking chips (6 oz) (these two are opt.)
• 1 teaspoon shortening

Steps

1. In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals and walnuts.
2. In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave butter on High 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg uncovered for about 1 minute, until smooth and bubbly. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.
3. Microwave uncovered on High 4 minutes, stirring after each minute. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool. Sprinkle apples evenly over cereal mixture.
4. In small microwavable bowl, microwave white vanilla baking chips and shortening uncovered on High about 1 minute or until chips can be stirred smooth. Drizzle over cereal mixture; let stand until set. Break into bite-size pieces. Store in airtight container.

[Note: I thought the mix was sweet enough. Drizzle not needed for my version.]

Tips

• Recipe/Ingredient Facts: Freeze-drying is another method of dehydrating. Freeze-dried apples will be crispier and lighter because they contain less moisture than regular dried apples.
• Techniques: For easy drizzling, spoon the melted white vanilla baking chips into a small food-storage bag. Snip off one tiny bottom corner and squeeze the melted chips over the cereal mixture.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Calories 190 (Calories from Fat 70); Total Fat 8g (Saturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 5mg; Sodium 115mg; Total Carbohydrate 27g (Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 17g); Protein 2g
• % Daily Value*: Vitamin A 6%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 6%; Iron 15%
• Exchanges: 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 Carbohydrate Choice
• MyPyramid Servings: 1 tsp Fats & Oils; 0 oz-eq Grains; 0 oz-eq Meat & Beans
  *% Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Makes: 24 servings