Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it. In addition to Christmas, it truly is my favorite holiday of the year. Not only is it a day to share love with those around us, but it is also the day that my little girl entered the world! Since February 14, 2009 I have been celebrating Toodie’s birthday and going ALL out on this wonderful day. This includes baking, crafting, and party planning.
I have already gotten started brainstorming ideas for Toodie’s birthday party by making and baking treats that I think our guests will enjoy. I decided to use my family and friends as willing participants, but I like to call them experimental taste testers. So far no one has complained, had a tummy ache, or asked me to stop supplying them with delectable goodies! I guess that must be a good sign, huh? This week I made an ooey gooey concoction that I like to call “Valentine Munch.” It has everything from marshmallows to buttery popcorn covered in a sweet chocolate coating. A little sweet. A little salty. The perfect combination of both.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag of buttered popcorn
- 2 bags of milk chocolate candy wafers (pink and red)( 1 lb.)
- 2 cups of tiny marshmallows
- 2 cups Valentine’s Day M&M candies
- 2 cups of Snyder’s Pretzel Snaps
- 2 cups of Captain Crunch cereal (no berries)
- 2 cups of mini Golden Oreo cookies
You will also need a baking sheet, large mixing bowl, and wax paper to complete this recipe. A big spoon will be helpful too. Unless you want sticky fingers! The munch making process can get a bit messy..
Directions:
1. Cover baking sheet with wax paper.
2. Combine buttered popcorn, marshmallows, M&M candies, pretzels, cereal, and cookies in large mixing bowl.
3. In a microwavable bowl melt pink candy wafers in 30 second intervals, stirring between each. Microwave should be on low or the defrost setting to avoid burning.
4. Pour melted chocolate into the dry ingredients mixing frequently until all pieces are coated. Quickly spread the mixture onto the wax paper surface.
5. Melt red chocolate wafers and drizzle on top of the mixture.
6. Allow to cool off and break into chunks or large pieces. Store in air tight container to keep it fresh and crunchy!
While the Valentine Munch can be enjoyed on a daily basis, there are many other things you can do with it when the holiday rolls around. Serve it in festive cupcake wrappers, heart shaped bowls, pack it as a lunch time snack for your kids, make goodie bags for their classmates, and deliver their teacher’s this special treat in a heart tin. It’s definitely one of those sweet & salty snacks that is sure to satisfy children and adults!
After all that munch, I was feeling extra SWEET before my sugar coma kicked in. I created a printable recipe card in which you will be able to save, store, and enjoy this recipe with your family. Just right click and print or save to your computer. You can also re-size to fit your own recipe book!
For more Valentine’s Day fun, check out these kid friendly crafts that I featured on my blog last year. Stay tuned! There will be more crafts & recipes in the coming month.
thanks,Mitch