Cereal-and-Granola "Apples"

Prep: 25 min., Cool: 30 min., Stand: 5 min.

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1/4  cup  butter
• 1  (10-oz.) package regular marshmallows
• 3  cups  crisp rice cereal
• 4  cups  granola
• Vegetable cooking spray
• Wax paper
• 4  (8-inch) pretzel rods, broken in half
• 1  (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels
• Orange decorator sugar crystals

Preparation

1. Microwave butter and marshmallows in a lightly greased large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth.

2. Stir in cereal and granola, in batches, until well coated.

3. Coat hands with cooking spray. Shape warm mixture into 8 (4-inch) balls (about 1 cup each), lightly greasing hands as needed. Place balls on wax paper. Press 1 pretzel rod half, broken end down, into top of each ball. Let cool completely (about 30 minutes).

4. Microwave chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Let stand, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Drizzle chocolate over balls; sprinkle with sugar.

To make ahead: Wrap in plastic wrap, and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Crisp Rice Cereal "Apples": Omit granola, and increase crisp rice cereal to 7 cups. Proceed with recipe as directed.