This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AwakenYourTastebuds #CollectiveBias. Also, I am restricted to only using the term Star Wars™ to talk about the movies and this recipe, so I’ll be using some replacement words, this does not in any way mean that I do not have extensive knowledge of the entire Star Wars™ franchise.

I was excited to be selected for this particular shop because I am a big fan of Star Wars™. We have slowly been introducing each of the movies to the kids. They actually started with one of the cartoons about some defiant characters in the Star Wars™ universe. We then watched the first movie to ever come out for Star Wars™ and it is one that Eva wanted to watch over and over. Since then we moved on to the one about the Retribution of the Stygian Dynasty and then the Second Coming of the Peacekeeping Space Knight. Then we jumped backwards in time to watch the first of the prequel movies The Ghost Spirit that Causes Trouble. And this Halloween Eva and I went as Star Wars™ characters. I was the relentless pursuer of the pilot scoundrel with a heart of gold and Eva was a defiant artist and demolitions expert. To round out our love of all things Star Wars™ we all enjoy the various toys and I even have a huge collection of sealed in the box interlocking brick toys to share with the kids in a few years. I think this made me uniquely qualified to do this fun shop.

I went to Walmart to pick up some General Mills Star Wars™ cereals and some Star Wars™ Go-Gurt®. I looked for the Star Wars™ R2D2 Cereal but was unable to find it anywhere. So, for my recipe and fun food choice I used the Star Wars™ Honey Nut Cheerios® and Star Wars™ Cookie Crisp. I first attempted to make a sort of cereal and marshmallow treat shaped to look like mini Evil Space Stations that were hollowed out to contain some Star Wars™ Go-Gurt®. That recipe did not pan out to my liking but was something that my co-workers enjoyed very much. After that kerfuffle of a recipe I switched over to a Star Wars™ themed cereal and popcorn dual recipe. That is right, there are two sides to every story and these snacks bring balance to your palate. It also brings the family together to enjoy a tasty treat.

The Star Wars™ cereals each come with a special toy that lets you see an image from the upcoming movie. I got a very special robot in the Star Wars™ Honey Nut Cheerios® and others in the other cereals.

Stygian Dynasty Spicy Snack Mix and Defiant Collective Sweet Snack Mix

The overall preparation for each of these snack mixes are the same however there are a couple slight differences that I will note.

Prep Time – 10 minutes
Cook Time – 20 minutes
Serving Size – 8 servings

Ingredients specific to Stygian Dynasty Spicy Snack Mix
2 Cups of Popcorn (Microwaved or Air Popped)
1 Cup of Star Wars™ Cookie Crisp
1 Cup of Star Wars™ Honey Nut Cheerios®
2 1/2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon of Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
5 red melting candy chips

Ingredients specific to Defiant Collective Sweet Snack Mix
2 Cups of Popcorn (Microwaved or Air Popped)
1 Cup of Star Wars™ Cookie Crisp
1 Cup of Star Wars™ Honey Nut Cheerios®
2 1/2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
5 blue melting candy chips

To make candy covered pretzel Laser Swords.
Dip half a pretzel stick into the melted candy chips to make a blue and a red laser sword. Make one set for each of your creations.

Directions – Do this for each snack mix, separately

1. Heat oven to 300°.
2. Mix cereals and popcorn in large resealable plastic food-storage bag or bowl.
3. Microwave butter for 10 second intervals until it is melted, then add salt, sugar and spices.
4. Drizzle popcorn and cereal mixture with melted butter mixture. Seal bag; shake. If in bowl mix with spoon.
5. Pour mixture onto large roasting pan that has been lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake 15 minutes
7. Stir mixture after 10 minutes.
8. Cool.
9. In microwave container melt candy chips.
10. Place popcorn and cereal mixture into bowls, drizzle the with the melted candy.
11. Add a red and a blue candy laser sword to the top of your snack mix. (presentation people!)
12. Serve and enjoy with your favorite Star Wars™ movie.

I know that you liked my creations but if you want additional inspiration check out the #AwakenYourTastebuds site at http://cbi.as/1kokf.

As a bonus I took the leftover snack mix and added it to some brownie mix. You’re definitely going to need some milk with these Stygian Dynasty Spicy Snack Mix brownies.

I may have to make copious amounts of these snack mixes so I can re-watch all of the Star Wars™ movies before the release of the newest movie in little under a month. I cannot wait and already have my ticket for a Thursday night showing. That is great for me because if I don’t see it before the weekend I know I’ll learn all about it and I want no spoilers. While I won’t be bringing the kids to that showing they can enjoy these great coloring pages and other printables.

Do you think you have what it takes to bring balance to the hungry bellies of the universe? Tell me what you would make with the Star Wars™ cereals.