Quick holiday treats

Family Features

Holiday time means cookie time, but with the demands of the holiday season it’s not always possible to spend hours baking.

This year, try fast and fun holiday cookie-inspired Chex Party Mix recipes that bring your favorite flavors to life in just 15-minutes in the microwave.

Sugar Cookie Chex Party Mix and Iced Pumpkin Chex Mix are delicious, fun and easy to make, whether you are entertaining or gift giving.

For a quick and easy hostess gift, line seasonal tins with tissue paper and fill them up with your favorite mix.

Or, try packaging your mix in cellophane bags or festive cupcake cups, and then decorate them with festive ribbons and stickers for a fun holiday party treat.

Get more 15-minute Chex Party Mix recipes and entertaining tips at www.chexpartymixchange.com.

Sugar Cookie Chex Æ Party Mix

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Start to Finish: 15 minutes

Makes: 14 servings (1/2 cup each)

6cups Rice Chex Æ cereal

1/4cup butter or margarine

1/4cup granulated sugar

2tablespoons corn syrup

2teaspoons pure vanilla

1/4cup powdered sugar

1ounce white baking chocolate or 1/4 cup vanilla milk chips

1to 2 teaspoons colored edible glitter or sugar sprinkles

Measure cereal in large microwaveable bowl. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper or foil.

In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave butter uncovered on high 30 seconds or until melted. Add sugar and corn syrup; microwave uncovered on high 30 seconds until mixture is heated and can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.

Microwave uncovered on high 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. Sprinkle with powdered sugar; mix well.

Spread on waxed paper or foil. Microwave white chocolate on high 30 seconds or until it can be stirred smooth; drizzle over top; sprinkle with edible glitter or colored candies.

Tip: For an easy way to apply powdered sugar, pour sugar into a large freezer zip-type bag. After removing snack mix from microwave, let stand in bowl 1 to 2 minutes to cool, then pour into bag and shake.

Iced Pumpkin Chex Æ Mix

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Start to Finish: 15 Minutes

Makes: 14 servings (1/2 cup each)

2 cups Cinnamon Chex Æ cereal

2 cups Wheat Chex Æ cereal

2 cups Honey Nut Chex Æ cereal

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup canned pumpkin

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 cup butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

Cream Cheese Icing

1 square (1 ounce) premium white chocolate

1 ounce cream cheese, softened

In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals and pumpkin seeds.

Line cookie sheet with waxed paper or foil.

In small bowl, mix brown sugar, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; set aside.

In 2-cup microwaveable measuring cup, microwave butter on high about 30 seconds or until melted. Add pumpkin mixture; microwave about 30 seconds, or until hot. Stir in vanilla.

Pour pumpkin-butter mixture over cereal and seeds, stirring until evenly coated. Microwave uncovered on High 5 minutes or until mixture begins to brown, stirring every minute. Spread on waxed paper to cool.

While mix is cooling, melt white chocolate in microwave on high 30 seconds; stir in softened cream cheese. Drizzle over top of mix; refrigerate 5 minutes or until set. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Tip: For easy drizzling, spoon the glaze into a small food-storage bag. Snip off one bottom corner and squeeze over the cereal mixture.