Snacks for 4th of July Festivities

Firecracker Mix

1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 t salt
4 T margarine or butter, melted
2 T brown sugar
8 c popped corn
4 c corn cereal squares
3 c pretzel sticks
1/2 t cayenne pepper, optional

Mix together Worcestershire, margarine, brown sugar, salt and cayenne pepper. Place popped corn, corn cereal squares and pretzel sticks in 6-quart slow cooker. Pour Worcestershire sauce, softened margarine, brown sugar, salt and cayenne mixture over all and mix thoroughly. Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. Remove lid for 1 more hour. Pour mixture onto wax paper and allow to cool. Store in storage bags or containers. The mix may be made up to one week in advance. Serves: 12-15


Stars and Stripes Munch Mix

1-14 oz bag potato chips
1-7 oz bag stick pretzels
1-3.25 oz can macadamia nuts
3 T butter
1 T peanut butter
2 t ground cinnamon
1 t sesame oil

Preheat oven at 350°F. In a large pan, mix potato chips, pretzels and macadamia nuts together. Over low heat, melt butter, sesame oil, peanut butter and cinnamon. Stir well. When completely mixed and melted, drizzle over potato chip mixture. Bake for 10 minutes.


Fourth of July "Popcorn Cookies"

3 c popped popcorn, unsalted
2 egg whites
1/4 c sugar
1 t vanilla
1/4 t cinnamon
1/3 c unsweetened shredded coconut

One cup at a time, blend popped popcorn in blender at low speed, until finely ground to about 1-1/2 cups. In medium bowl, beat egg whites on high speed. At a lower speed, add sugar gradually until egg whites are glossy and stiff. Beat in salt, vanilla and cinnamon. Gently fold in the ground popcorn and coconut. Place in rounded tablespoons onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325° for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 2 dozen cookies


Patriotic Chip Peanut Champs

2 sticks butter or margarine
1/4 c cola
2 eggs
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
2 t vanilla
1 t baking soda
3 c flour
2 c salted peanuts
11/2 c crushed potato chips

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine first seven ingredients and cream well. Add flour gradually and beat well. Fold in potato chips and peanuts. Spoon a teaspoon size of batter onto cookie sheet. Bake 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire rack to cool. Makes 6 dozen cookies