Movie-Night Snack Mix

Some crave salty, some crave sweet—this treat satisfies both
Originally published April, 2008
Recipe by Leeanne Wright
Photo by Edward Pond

• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 10 cups popcorn (80 g bag microwavable Smart Pop is recommended)
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups multigrain Life cereal
• 1 cup each thin pretzel sticks and Goldfish crackers (or any small cheese cracker)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp each ground cumin and Tabasco sauce (optional)
• 1 tsp each garlic powder and seasoning salt

1. Preheat oven to 250ºF. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine almonds and popcorn.
3. In a small pot over low heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Stir in maple syrup and increase heat. Cook until syrup bubbles, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in vanilla, then baking soda. (Mixture should look frothy.) Immediately pour over popcorn and almonds. Mix well. Spread popcorn mix on sheet pan.
4. In a bowl, combine cereal, pretzels and crackers.
5. Melt remaining butter and whisk in remaining ingredients. Pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat. Spread on second sheet pan.
6. Place both sheet pans in oven and bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool on pans to harden toppings, and combine in a large bowl to serve.

Save it for Later Snack mix can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Melting pot As you pour the hot topping, make sure to simultaneously stir the popcorn.