Yes, Chickens, we’re still off-script today! Not only are we not baking out of our favorite cookbooks, we’re going savory!

You can have these any time of the year but, when I’m getting ready for Christmas this is one of  the family favorites. All the things my Mom and Grandma made. My Mom made a big roasting pan of Nuts ‘n Bolts every Christmas. I remember her putting them into the Cheerios and Shreddies boxes after they were made. I still do that same thing myself.

I know there are a million varieties of this recipe out there and I always love trying the different kinds I see each year. But, this recipe … my Mom’s recipe … is still my favorite. Very simple and buttery. Now I make two batches each year so I can share with my Dad, who also loves them.

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Nuts ‘n Bolts
1 box Cheerios
1 box Shreddies
2 cups pretzels (twists or sticks)
3 cups salted peanuts

Sauce
1 tablespoon seasoning salt
1 cup butter
1 tablespoon smoke flavor
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon summer savory
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1.     In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add all of the spices.

2.     In a large roasting pan, add the Cheerios, pretzels and peanuts. Do not add the Shreddies at this step.

3.     Pour the sauce over the three ingredients in the roasting pan and give it a good stir.

4.     Add the Shreddies, stir and put into the oven.

5.     Bake at 200F for 3 hours, uncovered.

My Mom taught me to add the Shreddies to the mix after the sauce had already been added so that the Shreddies will not soak up all the buttery goodness.

I stir my mixture every 30 minutes, just to make sure there’s a good distribution of the butter mixture.

Okay, now let’s talk about that butter mixture. It is so delicious and smoky and salty. The end result is a very buttery mixture with the perfect amount of seasoning. This is probably my favorite salty snack … so it’s a good thing that I only make it once each year!

I should also say that my husband prefers Chex over Shreddies and so this is my excuse to make a second batch!

What does Norma say about these Nuts ‘n Bolts? I have spent many a Holiday Season eating handfuls (many handfuls!) of these oh so delicious Nuts n’ Bolts. They are my fave savoury snack at the Holidays. It’s a versatile snack and something everyone fine tunes to suit their own tastes, but if you’re wanting to try a simple, buttery, flavour packed version of this famous homemade treat (or you’re just starting out on your Nuts n’ Bolts journey) this is the recipe to go with!

TEMPTATION LEVEL out of 10:  Don’t even pretend to only be having a little taste, just get a great big bowl and dig in 😀 10 out of 10.