Makes 32 ½-cup servings
Adapted from April 2005 issue of Better Homes & Gardens

This recipes creates two variations on the theme: one batch is sweet with chocolate chips; the other is sweet and spicy with dried cranberries. I've modified the original recipe to prepare each batch separately so as to be sure the red pepper in the spicy mix is well distributed. I also use chocolate chips rather than the broken chocolate bar specified in the original recipe.

1 c maple syrup (not imitation)
2 T butter
8 c salted cocktail peanuts
1 to 1½ tsp crushed red pepper
3 c small pretzels
1 c dried cranberries
6 oz chocolate chips (milk or semisweet)

Serve, or store, tightly covered, up to 5 days.

Per serving (½ cup per serving):
21 grams carbohydrates
4 grams fiber
10 grams protein
21 grams fat
5 grams saturated fat
191 mg sodium
301 calories