Spring Mix

From the kitchen of Shirley Ricks Lines

1 cup sugar

1 cup light Karo syrup

3/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine in a sauce pan.  Bring to a boil, then boil for 3 minutes.  (Make sure the dry ingredients are combined ahead of time.  Because if you boil any longer, it gets closer to a hard crack stage - think suckers - and it doesn't stay pliable after cooling.  You can't get a piece without making a mess.  I learned this the hard way.)

In a large bowl combine:

1 large box (12.8 ounces or more) Rice Chex

1 pound holiday M&Ms (Christmas, Easter, etc.)
1-16 ounce bottle dry roasted peanuts

Drizzle sugar mixture over cereal mixture and mix carefully, but well.  Spread on a cookie sheet to let cool.  This is a fun snack at any time of the year!

Alternate mix-ins:
Instead of M&Ms and peanuts, add craisins, almonds, and coconut to the cereal.