Every Christmas as a child I would be so excited to go to Aunt Stephanie’s house and eat her Munchie Stuff.  I have no idea how it got that name, but it is fitting.  We only make this stuff during Christmas, but it would be a crowd pleaser at any party.  This caramel chex mix is so easy to make although it can get a little messy.  I hope you and your family make lots of memories making this sugary treat and eating it as I did with my family.  Enjoy.

Munchie stuff

Preheat oven to 250.

Ingredients

12 cups popped corn (be careful to remove all kernels)

1 lg box rice chex

1 lg box orig. cherrios

1 lg bag chow mein noodles

2 bags M&Ms

Divide above ingredients into to large aluminum pans for easy mixing.

Caramel Syrup

2 cups light brown sugar

2 cubes butter

¾ cup karo syrup

½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

(I  usually double syrup recipe for extra sugary goodness)

-Melt together in a medium sauce pan and bring to boil. Stirring constantly. Boil for five minutes until thick. Remove from heat.

-Pour  syrup in each pan one at a time and mix until every piece is as covered as can get.

-Spread evenly but loosely onto cookie sheets or deep metal baking pans that have been buttered/sprayed.

-Dry in oven for 1 hour. Cool then break apart. Add m&ms after it has cooled.

Apricot Pepper Pecan Brie

1/2 cup pecan halves, chopped

1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped

1/4 cup apricot preserves

1 4-inch round (8 ounces) Brie cheese with rind, room temperature

1 loaf (16 ounces) French baguette

Vegetable oil

-Preheat oven to 425°F.

-Combine jalapeño and preserves

-Cut Brie in half horizontally. Place one half of Brie, cut side up, onto center of cookie sheet. Spread half of the apricot mixture evenly over bottom half of Brie. Top with half of the pecans and remaining half of Brie, cut side up. Spread remaining apricot mixture over Brie; sprinkle with remaining pecans.

-Cut baguette and bake with Brie for 8-10 minutes or until baguette slices are golden brown and Brie begins to soften. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Cranberry Jalapeño Relish

1 12oz bag fresh cranberries

2 jalapeños, seeded and finely diced

3 or 4 green onions, chopped.

Handful of chopped cilantro

½  to 1 cup sugar

Juice from ½ lemon or lime

In food processor chop cranberries.  Mix together with the rest of the ingredients and serve over a block of cream cheese.  So easy and so tasty.

Are you still searching for the perfect gifts to give this holiday season?  Here are a few ideas that may be new to you that will bring smiles to all your friends and family.

FOR MEN

The Art of Shaving gift boxes – amazon.com or theartofshaving.com

Everything bacon – BaconFreak.com

Rubber mens ID bracelet – thingsremembered.com

Paracord bracelet – amazon.com

ROKU digital media streaming player – amazon.com

Wifi Sim Card – amazon.com

Why a Curveball Curves, Popular Mechanics – amazon.com

FOR WOMEN

Bootskins to accessories your Ugg boots

Pot Clip -  www.solutions.com

Slap Watches – www.solutions.com

Gift certificate for cooking or baking classes

All You magazine subscriptions

Photo Bracelet – pickturethat.com

Personalized cake pans – thecakepanlady.com

31 Gifts bags and organizing totes – Contact Carrie Askins

FOR KIDS

Hallmark recordable books

Fun Balloon Pets – myownpetballoon.com

Silicone Coin Purse -  www.solutions.com

FOR EVERYONE

Personalized IPad and Kindle cases -  Shopmyedge.com

Personalized License plate frame

Custom stationary and address labels – vistaprint.com

DIY Photo books, blurb.com

Storage Water bottle – Amazon.com

Piggies & Paws Artwork – Find a local consultant

Happy shopping and hope you have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.