Recipe: Salty-Sweet Chewy Popcorn Bars (caramel-coated using cereal, M&M's and pretzels)

SALTY-SWEET CHEWY POPCORN BARS

8 cups popped popcorn
2 cups honey graham cereal
1 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces, such as M&M's
1 cup salted pretzel sticks, broken in half
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Lightly spray 13-by-9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine popcorn, cereal, candy and pretzels in very large bowl; set aside.

Melt butter in medium saucepan set over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and flour. continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil. Boil for 1 minute without stirring.

Pour caramel mixture over popcorn mixture; toss with wooden spoon to coat well. With a large square of wax paper, press firmly into prepared pan. Cool completely.

Cut into bars. Store in covered containers between layers of wax paper.

Makes 24 servings
Source: The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book by Camilla Saulsbury