• Put the 4 cups small pretzels, 4 cups cheerios, 4 cups rice Chex, 2 cups cornflakes, 2 cups peanuts, and 2 cups peanuts in a large mixing bowl for oven directions or a paper grocery bag for the microwave.
• In a large saucepan, melt together 2 cups light brown sugar, 1 cup butter, ½ cup light corn syrup, and 1 teaspoon salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon baking soda, taking care because the mixture will foam and bubble.

Microwave Instructions

• Pour hot caramel mixture over cereals in the brown paper bag. Roll the top down to seal and shake to coat.
• Place bag in the microwave and cook on high for 30 seconds. Carefully remove bag and shake, turning the bag over to make sure everything is coated. Repeat this process for a total of 5 times in the microwave, with a shake after each.
• After the last trip to the microwave, dump the contents of the bag onto sheets of wax paper. Carefully spread the mixture out a bit. You want clumps, but not one huge clump! Allow to cool completely.
• Once cool, break into smaller clumps and sprinkle with 2 cups M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Oven Directions

• Pour the hot caramel mixture over the cereal mixture. Stir to coat.
• Preheat oven to 250℉ and grease a large rimmed baking sheet.
• Spread the caramel coated cereal mixture over the baking sheet.
• Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
• Spread cereal mixture over sheets of wax paper to cool. Sprinkle with the 2 cups M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces.
• Once cool, break into smaller clumps and sprinkle with candies. Store in an airtight container.