Cheerful Spring Snack Mix - Gluten Free

I love Spring. I love the light, bright cheerful colors blooming outdoors. I like seeing the blue sky, and my heart feels light after months of cold, grey Seattle weather. My baking follows the seasons most of the time. I really wanted to make a cheerful, tasty snack that my whole family could nibble on after an afternoon of gardening. This pretty, spring inspired pastel snack mix seemed just the ticket. I love this recipe, because I can customize it to work with any season by changing the color of the M&Ms and sprinkles. Try orange and black M&Ms with Halloween motif sprinkles in the Autumn. Or how about red and green M&Ms with holiday motif sprinkles at Christmas?

Enjoy... these are so yummy!
Cinde :)

Cheerful Spring Snack Mix

1 12.8 oz box Gluten Free Rice Chex Cereal (9 cups)
1 cup white Vanilla Baking chips OR chopped white candy bark
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup pastel M&M's
1/4 cup spring motif sprinkles (Wilton brand are GF)

1. In a large bowl, place cereal. In a small microwavable bowl, microwave vanilla chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
2. Place 1/2 of the cereal mixture in a 1-gallon food storage plastic bag. add powdered sugar. seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool.; about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, stir M&Ms and sprinkles into remaining cereal mixture. spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.
4. In serving bowl, mix both cereal mixtures. store in airtight container. Yield: 22 (1/2 cup) servings.