Mix It Up Monday: (2!) Apple Dip & Pumpkin Pie Crunch Chex Mix

I keep meaning to get something a little gourmet
on here but, you know, it's what I call my
"craft season" so I seem to be making a lot of
quick and easy stuff these days...

I found this first one after I'd made 2 batches

of apple butter and was looking for ways to use it.
The second is on the Chex website but I've changed it. 

Both are super-easy, super-yummy, super-fall snacks!

Creamy Caramel Apple Dip

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 c apple butter (kudos if you have the healthier "home brew")

1/4 c brown sugar

1/4 t vanilla

chopped peanuts (optional--funny, I've never tried these in it!) 

• Beat all ingredients till combined. 
• Serve with apple slices. 
• Refrigerate any left-overs.  Makes about 2 cups.

I found a recipe similar to this that said it could also be used on bagels so I tried it out the other day.  Eh....not bad, really, but I prefer it with the apples.  Also, you could go "easy" on the brown sugar (my apple butter is pretty sweet so I might try leaving it out altogether).

Pumpkin Pie Crunch Chex Mix

The recipe called for 3 pre-sweetened cereals but I choose to use corn & rice (and generic!) and it's just great.  Wheat would probably work, too, but I haven't tried it.  I also don't stock "pumpkin pie spice" but I put in nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.  I threw in just a handful of candy corns for color but it's sweet enough without.  The recipe also shows to cook it in the microwave but I prefer to cook it in the oven--tho I'm still working on the timing, as you'll see...

1/4 c brown sugar

1 T pumpkin pie spice*

1/4 c butter

2 t vanilla

6 cups corn and/or rice Chex cereal

8 oz pecans

• Melt butter and pour into large bowl.. 
• Stir in spices, brown sugar and vanilla. 
• Stir in cereal(s) of choice and nuts; mix till well-coated.
• Bake 350' for 5 minute intervals, stirring between.  Should take 15 to 20 minutes but watch closely as it can burn quickly.  At 10 and 15 minutes, I set a few pieces aside to cool for a few minutes.  Then I check to see if mix is nearing crunchy (bake a little more) or is already crunchy (you're good).