Peanut Butter Smackerels

These are embarrassing to include here but so great for road trips, camping trips and really any time you find yourself in want of a little smackerel of something.

Makes about 5 dozen one-inch square pieces

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup corn syrup

1 1/2 cups peanut butter (of the natural, unprocessed variety)*

2 cups crisp rice cereal

4 cups corn flakes

2 t vanilla

pinch salt

METHOD

In a medium-large mixing bowl, combine cereals and salt. Crunch and smash with your hands so the flakes are broken down into smaller pieces.

In a a medium saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup. Stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off heat and add peanut butter and vanilla. Stir well to combine.  Pour over cereals and stir. 

Transfer to the prepared baking pan and press down, using a piece of waxed or parchment paper, to distribute evenly. Refrigerate or let cool at room temperature for an hour or so. Turn out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch wide strips. Cut into one-inch squares. Can be stored in a ziploc bag or covered container at room temperature, or in the fridge, but they're really hard to chew when cold.

* If you use a processed PB (Jif, Skippy, etc) make sure to cut the amount of sugar in half, down to 1/4 cup.