Snacks for baseball fans

Basketball is over and for once, I actually picked the winning team as champion in my bracket. I picked with my heart, though, and it was because my son wanted the Florida Gators to win so badly. My family and I were thrilled with the victory, but now we move on to my favorite time of year -- baseball season. The St. Louis Cardinals and I have a date nearly every night. I turn on the television and often have the game on the radio as well -- I sure don't want to miss anything!

I thought it might be fun to look up snack mix recipes baseball fans could have on hand while enjoying the game. I have included a variety of sweet, spicy and even chocolate treats. Have fun, enjoy your snacks and play ball!

Cinnamon Snack Mix

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 1/2 cups corn Chex cereal

1 1/2 cups rice Chex cereal

1 1/2 cups wheat Chex cereal

1/2 cup raisins, dried cranberries or dried cherries

In small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon; set aside. In large microwaveable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on high for about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in cereals until evenly coated. Microwave uncovered for 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture evenly over cereals and stir. Sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture, stir. Microwave uncovered for 1 minute. Stir in raisins, cranberries or cherries. Spread on paper towels to cool.

Chili and Garlic Snack Mix

3 cups Cheerios cereal

3 cups corn chips

1 cup unsalted peanuts

1 cup thin pretzels

1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Heat oven to 300 degrees. In large bowl, mix cereal, corn chips, peanuts and pretzels. In small bowl, mix remaining ingredients; pour over cereal mixture. Toss until evenly coated. Spread cereal mixture in ungreased 15-by-10-by-1-inch pan. Bake uncovered 15 minutes, stirring once. Cool completely for about 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

Chocolate-Malt Cherry Mix

2 cups corn Chex cereal

2 cups rice Chex cereal

2 cups wheat Chex cereal

1 cup dry-roasted peanuts

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup natural-flavor malted milk powder

2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped malted milk balls

1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped

In large bowl, mix cereals and peanuts; set aside. In a 1-quart saucepan, heat butter and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and blended. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Gradually stir in malted milk powder until evenly coated. Stir in remaining ingredients. Store in airtight container.

Southern Spiced Pecans

1 egg white

1 teaspoon water

1 (8-ounce) jar dry roasted peanuts

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup pecan halves or a few more

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice blend

3/4 teaspoon salt

Beat egg white and water in large bowl until foamy. Add dry roasted peanuts and pecan halves; toss gently to coat. Combine sugar, pie spice and salt. Add to nuts and toss until coated. Spread mixture in a single layer in a lightly greased 15-by-10-by-1-inch jelly roll pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer immediately to wax paper. Let cool completely; break into large clusters after it cools. Yields about 4 cups.

Crunchy Taco Snack Mix

1/2 cup butter

1 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix

8 cups bite-size crispy corn squares cereal

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in 13-by-9-inch baking pan in oven (3 to 4 minutes); stir in seasoning mix. Add cereal; stir to coat evenly. Bake, stirring after half the time, for 10 to 12 minutes or until cereal is crisp. Makes 8 cups. Microwave Directions: melt butter in 12-by-8-inch glass baking dish on high for 1 to 2 minutes; stir in seasoning mix. Add cereal; stir to coat evenly. Microwave on high, stirring after half the time, until cereal is crisp for 4 to 5 minutes.

Gone Fishin' Cheesy Snack Mix

3 cups goldfish-shaped baked snack crackers

2 cups pretzel sticks

2 cups toasted oat cereal

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cups gummi candy fish and/or worms

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine crackers, pretzels, cereal and cheese in large bowl. Stir together all remaining ingredients except gummi candy in small bowl. Pour butter mixture over cracker mixture; toss to coat. Spread mixture onto ungreased 15-by-10-by-1-inch jelly-roll pan. Bake, stirring occasionally, for 18 to 23 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely. Stir in gummi candy. Store in airtight container. Makes 9 cups.

Oriental Cashew Crunch Snack Mix

1 (16-ounce) box toasted oatmeal squares cereal (about 8 cups)

1 cup cashews or peanuts

1 (3-ounce) can chow mein noodles (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

Heat oven to 250 degrees. In 13-by-9-inch baking pan, combine cereal, chow mein noodles and cashews; mix well. In small bowl, combine oil, soy sauce, garlic powder and onion powder; blend well. Quickly pour over cereal mixture; stir to coat evenly. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet, spreading mixture in even layer. Cool completely. Store tightly covered. Makes 10 cups.

There is a multitude of snack mix recipes, and many can even be made using your Crock Pot. Have fun creating your own mix and send in your favorite recipes, they just might show up in this column some day.

Have fun watching your favorite baseball team and enjoy a snack along the way. Until next time, happy cooking.

Susan McClanahan is administrator at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center. Send recipes to her at smcclanahan@semissourian.com or by mail at P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701. Recipes published have not been kitchen-tested by Southeast Missourian staff.