My husbands family had this great recipe for Cherry Mash.  In northern Iowa it is similar to King Bings, and southern Iowa & northern Missouri they call it Cherry Mash, which is actually made in St. Joseph, Missouri.  Do you have a similar product in your neck of the woods?
The homemade version is spot on for the prepackaged candy, but better because YOU made it and you get so much more for your money!
If you aren't familiar with Cherry Mash or King Bings, just know that if you like Chocolate, Cherry & peanuts, you will LOVE this recipe!

Cherry Mash Candy

Cherry Mash Candy

2 cups Sugar

16 large Marshmallows

5 oz can Evaporated Milk

1 tsp Vanilla

10 oz Cherry Chips

12 oz Milk Chocolate Chips

3/4 cup Peanut Butter

10 oz Salted Peanuts, Chopped

Mix sugar, marshmallows & evaporated milk.  Cook over low to medium heat until melted.  Boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

 Cook over low to medium heat until melted.  Boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

 Remove from heat; add vanilla and cherry chips.  Stir until melted.

*I have learned to pour the chips slowly in with one hand while stirring with the other hand so the chips don't clump.  If they clump its ok, it just takes longer to melt them.

Spread in a buttered 9x13 pan.

In another pan, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter.

  Add chopped peanuts and stir in.

Spread this mixture over the cherry mixture.

Refrigerate to set.  Cut into squares after they are set.  

These also freeze great!  

My dad longs for these every year.  He asks about 100 times starting the month before Christmas up until we get together, if I have made them yet or just confirming that I am making his "Cherry Fudge" as he calls it.  

I do store these in the refrigerator when they aren't sitting out at our get togethers.  They just seem to hold up better over the time that they last.

ENJOY & MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I was really going to try to post regular posts, but with trying to work 3 different part time jobs for the last month & a half, life has been a little busy.  I like it, just haven't had much time or energy to come home & write.
I have had time for some baking over the past month and did remember to photograph most of the recipes, just never got around to sharing until now.

There are a lot of different party mixes out there, but this Sweet Party Mix is my FAVORITE!!

This is such an easy recipe & so addicting!

Sweet Party Mix
10 cups Crispix Cereal
2 cups Peanuts
2 cups Cashews
1/2 bag Pretzels (sticks or regular pretzel shaped) I used the holiday ones this time
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 stick Butter
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 cup White Karo Syrup

(of course you can use whatever mix of cereal/nuts you like)

Combine brown sugar, butter and karo syrup.  Microwave for 2 minutes.  Stir.
Microwave 2 more minutes.

Remove and add baking soda.  Stir.  This should foam up as it sits.

Place Crispix, nuts & pretzels in a paper grocery sack.

Pour syrup mixture over cereal mixture in bag.  Shake to coat.  (I sometimes use a couple large spoons to help toss the mixture, just be careful the syrup is really hot.)

Microwave bag 2 minutes.  Shake.
Microwave 2 more minutes.
Shake and place mixture on wax paper to dry.

Let it cool & put in covered containers to store.  This mix freezes well, so make ahead of time and pull out a few hours before serving.

ENJOY!