Microwavable Monster Munch in Minutes

I’m running out of time! Soon I won’t get to make silly food and use fun Halloween props. This makes me sad. When else can I get away with something as crazy as pumpkin shaped calzones and alcoholic punch in skull goblets?

I better make the most of these two very short days. I have so many ideas on my brain-storm sheet I never got to. There is always next year I suppose, if I can remember where I put it by then!

This fall style Chex Mix is heading to my daughter’s school Halloween party tomorrow. The recipe is from one of those holiday magazines that sit temptingly next to the checkout of my grocery store. I just can’t help myself, every year I buy and hoard all the Halloween publications. I become a kid again, and spend tons of time plotting out juvenile gory goodies to make during the month of October.

I hope the kids will like this one. My husband was pilfering it off the tray as it was cooling, but I’m guessing 7-year-olds will be eating cupcakes long before they dig their hands into this!

Speaking of which, I need to go make those. Vivarin. I need Vivarin. Or a triple shot espresso.

Monster Munch
4 cups Chex Cereal (I used corn Chex)
4 cups popped popcorn
1 cup honey-roasted cashews (Honey-roasted peanuts were much cheaper)
1 cup roasted salted pumpkin seeds (They were shelled in the picture, so I bought raw ones from the bulk isle).
¼ cup butter or margarine
6 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup candy corn

1. In a 4-quart microwavable bowl, mix cereal, popcorn, cashews and pumpkin seeds; set aside.

2. In a medium microwavable bowl, microwave butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla uncovered on High about 2 minutes or until mixture is boiling; stirring after 1 minute; stir in pumpkin pie spice. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated.

3. Microwave 5 to 6 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after every minute. Spread on waxed paper to cool, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to break up.

4. Stir in candy corn. Store in airtight container.

Recipe from Pillsbury’s Halloween magazine, 2009. Pictures by Laura Flowers.