Bourbon Chex Mix

BOURBON CHEX MIX

1 bag (15 oz) Chex Mix® traditional snack mix

1 cup pecan halves

1/2 lb bacon (6 to 8 slices), crisply cooked and crumbled

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons bourbon

3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

Heat oven to 300°F. Line two 15x10x1-inch pans with foil. Spray foil with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix snack mix, pecans and bacon. Set aside.

In 2-quart saucepan, heat brown sugar, butter and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbly around edges. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally; remove from heat. Cool 2 minutes. Carefully stir in bourbon and chipotle chili powder. Pour over snack mixture; toss until evenly coated.

Spread snack mixture on pans. Bake 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, to caramelize mixture. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Break into pieces. Store covered in refrigerator.

Apple Chutney

4 tablespoons butter
2 cups chopped tart apple
3 tablespoons light
brown sugar
2 tablespoons golden raisins
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
1/4 cup pecan pieces
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/3 cup apple cider or juice

Heat butter in a medium saucepan; add apple, brown sugar, raisins, cranberries, pecans, spices, and juices. Cook over medium heat until apple is tender, dried fruits are softened, and cider has boiled away. If necessary, add a little more apple
cider to keep the mixture from scorching. Serve warm or chilled with ham or pork. Makes about 2 cups.

CHOCOLATE APPLE CRISP

Here's a new twist on an old favorite! Yumm.....

3 Apples, unpeeled if desired, chopped
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup of uncooked Quick oats
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup Pecans or walnuts, chopped
3/4 cup Butter
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 packet semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels, divided (12 oz)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. With 2 knives or pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in oats; press half of oat mixture into greased 13x9" baking pan. To remaining oat mixture, add Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels, apples and pecans; stir to combine. Sprinkle over base. Bake at least 35 minutes until lightly browned. Cool slightly; cut into squares.

Frosted Pumpkin-Pecan Cookies

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine -- softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350º. Beat brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in pumpkin and egg. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in pecans.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet; flatten slightly. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched lightly in center. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
Frost with Spiced Frosting.

SPICED FROSTING
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine -- softened
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons milk (3 to 4 tablespoons)

Mix all ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Set aside or make while cookies are baking.