Recipe: Winter Trail Mix

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 1/2 tablespoon water

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups pecan halves

1 cup whole almonds

2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest

1 1/2 cups pretzel sticks

1 cup chopped, dried apricots

1 cup dried cherries or cranberries

Combine sugar, butter, water and vanilla extract in a glass measuring cup.

Place pecans and almonds in a 1 1/2 to 3 quart slow cooker; pour the sugar-butter mixture over nuts and toss to coat.

Cover and cook on High, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 hours, or until sugar mixture is golden brown and nuts are toasted.

Stir in orange zest; toss to coat and turn out on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Set aside to cool.

In a large serving bowl combine nut mixture with pretzel sticks, apricots, and cherries or cranberries.

Makes about 6 cups.