Christmas Carnivore Crunch

Here you go ya “filthy animals!" This crowd-pleasing mix is one of our holiday must-haves and even stands in as dessert when your sister said she would bring something sweet but leaves you… Home Alone!

The from-scratch version is best if you find yourself with some extra time this holiday season. However, we offer a Bavarian recipe “hack” recipe as well.

Ingredients
9 cups of mixed Chex cereals (recommending a combo of wheat, rice & honey Chex)
3 cups of mixed nuts (recommending almonds, cashews & pecans) 
2 cups mini pretzels
1 cup Goldfish crackers
1 bag holiday M&M's - and by “holiday” we mean the red and green ones
2 cups caramel corn
1 bag holiday circus animal cookies - and by “holiday” we still mean the red and green ones
1 ten-ounce package of Bavarian Meats Original Lil’ Landjaeger or 10 sticks of the Traditional size Landjaeger- chunked.  Big chunks.  People really like that part.
1 stick butter 
4 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

From “Scratch” Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 250 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine the first four dry ingredients in a very large bowl. 
3. Melt butter in a small pot on the stove. Add seasonings and mix well. 
4. Drizzle butter mixture over dry ingredients and gently combine. 
5. Spread mix evenly out over two pans.
6. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes - stir & rotate the pans every 15 minutes. 
7. Let cool completely. 
8. Add in your sweet treats: m&m's, caramel corn + holiday cookies. Add in your Bavarian Meats Lil’ Landjaeger or Traditional Landjaeger.
9.  Eat.

Bavarian Recipe “Hack” Directions:

1. Gather your ingredients: 9 cups of pre-made Chex Mix, 3 cups of mixed nuts, 2 cups mini pretzels, 1 cup Goldfish crackers, 1 bag holiday M&M's, 2 cups caramel corn, 1 bag holiday circus animal cookies, 1 ten-ounce package of Bavarian Meats Original Lil’ Landjaeger or 10 sticks of the Traditional size Landjaeger- chunked.
2. Grab a good-sized mixing bowl and dump in all ingredients then gently blend with your hands or a big spoon until evenly mixed, trying your best not to crush the cereal pieces.
3. Eat.  

Pro-Tip: Store in air-tight containers for up to two weeks but you probably won’t have to.  This mix, aka to us Christmas Crack - please don’t get your Tinsel in a Tangle that we call it that, it’s fantastic for making those small gifts for neighbors and friends so, have festive zip locks handy.