TEXAS TRASH - a family favorite

TEXAS Trash is one of my very favorite recipes.  I have been making it for over 30 years.  I think my original recipe came from my dear friend Emily and her mother, Jane.  

Texas Trash is a holiday tradition - I make it and give it away time after time during the holidays. It is a favorite mix just to have around during any gathering. We like it so much that I make it all year long, but for sure at Christmas.  I have made it three times this Christmas!  

Enjoy!  You will become addicted! 

TEXAS TRASH

1 box wheat Chex
1 box rice Chex
1 box corn Chex
1 box Cheeze-Its
1 bag pretzel sticks
2 cans mixed nuts or more
1 large bag of pecan halves

Divide these ingredients equally between 2 big foil roasting pans. (I was and re-use)

Mix the following ingredients in two saucepans over medium heat. After the butter is melted and the ingredients are mixed, pour the two butter mixtures over the two pans of snack mix.

6 - 8 sticks butter and/or margarine (3-4 in each pan)

10-12 Tbsp. Worcestershire (5 in each pan)

8 Tbsp. TABASCO Original Red sauce (4)

10-12 tsp. Lawry’s season salt (5)

2-3 tsp. garlic powder (1)

Toss gently. Bake one on the top rack and one on the bottom rack. Bake at 250 degrees stirring every 30 minutes for 2 ½ hours. I switch the bottom to the top and the top to the bottom after an hour or so. I cover my table in newspaper and then wax paper. Pour the mixture out to cool. Store in an airtight container and ENJOY!!! Share with friends!

Hot Swiss Cheese Dip

I have made this dip a few times for my teachers and it gets rave reviews.  It is easy, quick and yummy!  I saved this recipe off of Instagram at The Hungry Hooker.  This would be a great recipe to add to you holiday cooking. 

Hot Swiss Cheese Dip - Adapted from The Hungry Hooker

1  8 oz block of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

8 oz bag grated Alpine Cheese - blend of Swiss and Gruyere (or just Swiss)

1/4 cup chopped green onions (save some of the green to top/garnish)

1/3 cup crushed Ritz crackers

1/4 - 1/3 cup bacon crumbles

Preheat oven to 350. Mix together the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise and grated cheese.  Add most of the green onions, saving some of the green parts to sprinkle on top. Stir to combine and pour in a small greased baking dish/platter. Top with crushed Ritz crackers, bacon pieces and the green parts of the chopped onion.    Bake at 350 for 20 - 25 minutes til hot and bubbly. Serve warm with Ritz crackers.

Fall Apple Cinnamon Chex Mix

 I love a good snack mix.  I make The World's Best Snack Mix, Texas Trash and Firecrackers on a regular basis.  

I love flowing Kelsey at Little Bits of Real Food.  I have followed her for years -she is a hoot!  She recently posted this Apple Cinnamon Chex Mix which is right up my ally.  I just made it a second time yesterday.  Everyone loves it!

I wanted to make it gluten free for my gluten-free friends but I couldn't find a gluten-free version of a graham flavored cereal.  I found a cinnamon toast flavor but wanted more of a graham flavor.  I just made it as is.  SO YUMMY!

Apple Cinnamon Chex Mix - adapted from Little Bits of Real Food

6 cups Rice Chex

4 cups Golden Grahams

2 cups pretzels

1 cup pecan halves

2 cups dried apple chips

2 sticks butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Spray a large foil roasting pan with cooking spray.  Add in the rice Chex, Golden Grahams, pretzels, pecan halves and apple chips.  In a sauce pan, melt the butter and brown sugar together to form a syrup.  Bring to a slight boil and then pour over the cereal mixture. Toss gently to coat.  In a small bowl, mix together the white sugar with cinnamon and nutmeg.  Sprinkle this mixture of the coated cereal mixture. Gently toss to coat. Bake at 275 for 45 minutes - stirring every 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Store in an airtight container! 

Printable Version

Monster Cookies

 I love peanut butter and chocolate.  I have been making these Monster Bars for years - they are easy, one pan and everyone loves them.  I can also make them gluten-free when I need to.  

I follow Tessa at Handle the Heat on Instagram.  She is a fabulous baker.  I thought I would try her Monster Cookie and they came out perfect.  I highly recommend.  

  

I didn't change the recipe at all.  I recommend visiting Tessa at Handle the Heat.  If you like to bake, she has lots of hints on ... How to make the perfect cookie!  Enjoy!