As springtime nears, youngsters will be spending more time outside playing, which usually results in healthy appetites. There’s nothing like the great outdoors to whip up an appetite, whether it’s at snack time or suppertime.
Of course, we want to provide our children with healthy snacks, but occasionally we offer something that only borders on being healthy. And, of course, you don’t want to tell your children the snack you’re offering is good for them or they may automatically turn up their noses at it.
The following snack isn’t necessarily the most nutritious, but it goes great with a glass of milk, and kids will truly enjoy the crunchy goodness of these peanut-corn squares.
CHEWY CRUNCH BARS
6 cups bite-size crispy corn cereal squares
1 cup salted peanuts
1 (8-ounce) package M&M’s
1/2 cup butter OR margarine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
In a large bowl, combine the cereal, peanuts and candy; set aside.
In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in flour until smooth; stir in brown sugar and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil (2 to 4 minutes). Boil 1 minute. Pour caramel mixture over cereal mixture; toss to coat well.
Press into a greased 13-by-9-inch pan. Cool completely; cut into bars. Makes 2 dozen squares.
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