Heaven from a Bag

Okay, this next recipe...I slaved over it for hours on end. I was sweaty...and exhausted...and...and...alright. I'm totally lying!

For the record...I don't make things I hafta slave over. Or get sweaty for (yuck...I hate sweating...hence, my aversion to exercise). This recipe is the easiest, peasiest, lemon squeeziest recipe ever invented. Evah'!

I can't take credit for it's invention tho'.

I wish I could. But I can't.

Anywho...first things first, you'll need a nice clean paper bag from the grocery store, and these ingredients:


Yup...that's it.

First, dump the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla in a microwavable bowl:


Then, pop it in the mic (seriously, can it get any easier? ** Why, yes...it can...stay tuned...) (oh, and this is where I'm gloriously thankful for flash photography...it completely glares out the nasty mess that's in my microwave!! Man, I love flash photography.):


While it's nuking, toss the cereal into the paper bag:


When the caramel mixture is done "cooking" (*snort*...can you even call it "cooking" if it's in the microwave?!!)...we all get to put on our magician's hats, and work a little magic.

'Member that baking soda from above? Now's it's time to shine, baby!

Dump the soda into the caramel stuff (here's where I enlisted Mr. Wonderful to help snap photos...hence the "far awayness" of the shots...he's gotta learn that closer is better...either that, or I've gotta get the hang of this Photoshop stuff!!), and begin to stir:


Getting there...


Are we there yet?


Just a little futher:


We're there!!

Now, take the caramel mixture, that's all freaky and fluffy (**this is where it gets easier!), and pour it right over the cereal in the bag. Yes, that's right. In. The. Bag.


Pop that whole darn bag right into the mic, and then thank me later for giving you a recipe that you cook in a bag. Disposable cookware, at it's finest!

During the cooking, you'll "shake it, shake, shake it...shake it, shake, shake it...shake it, shake, shake it...shake it like a Polaroid picture" (name that tune...), so make sure you've got oven mitts handy to protect your tender little mitts! (I was feeling brave...and a little reckless...so I went commando. No mitts for this chick!)


When it's all finished, spread it out onto parchment paper, let it cool, break into pieces...and marvel in it's ridiculously easy deliciousness!


And, because you simply can't stand the garish flash photos any longer, wait until morning to snap a "naturally lit" photo of your masterpiece:


You're welcome. I love you, too.

Caramel Snack Mix:

1 12 oz. box Crispix
1 stick butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. corn syrup (i.e. Karo)
1 tsp. baking soda

Place cereal in a brown paper grocery bag, set aside. Mix together butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and corn syrup in microwavable bowl, and cook on high for 1 (one) minute. Stir, return to microwave and cook on high for 2 (two) minutes, stir well to combine butter, then add baking soda. Stir well until mixture if fluffy and foamyish. Pour caramel mixture over cereal in bag, shake bag gently to coat, and place bag in microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Shake bag gently to distribute caramel, and return to microwave for 1 minute. Give bag one last gentle shake, and pour caramel cereal onto parchment paper, spreading into a thinish layer. Cool, and break into pieces. Store in airtight container.