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This Gingerbread Chex Mix is perfect for gifting or parties! Chex cereal is coated in a buttery molasses-spice mixture, mixed with gingersnap cookies, drizzled with white chocolate, and topped with festive candies and sprinkles.
Sweet, crunchy, and full of holiday spice, this Gingerbread Chex Mix is the kind of snack that disappears faster than you can say “Merry Christmas!” It’s made with crispy Chex cereal, bits of gingersnap cookies, creamy white chocolate, and festive holiday sprinkles for a perfect sweet-and-spiced crunch.
This mix makes a fantastic holiday party snack, movie night treat, or homemade edible gift. Best of all, it comes together in less than 40 minutes with just a few ingredients and your microwave. No oven needed!
Ingredients
Let’s take a closer look at what makes this Gingerbread Snack Mix so irresistible:
- Holiday Candy: Adds a pop of color and extra sweetness. M&Ms, peppermint candies, or mini Reese’s pieces all work perfectly.
- Chex Cereal: The crunchy base! You can use cinnamon, rice, or corn Chex, or a mix of all of them. Cinnamon Chex adds a built-in layer of warm spice that pairs beautifully with the gingerbread flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps the spices cling to the cereal. Use unsalted so you can control the saltiness of your mix.
- Light Brown Sugar: A touch of molasses flavor and caramel-like sweetness. You could swap in dark brown sugar for a deeper taste.
- Molasses: The key to that classic gingerbread flavor! It gives the mix its cozy, spiced aroma and rich sweetness. If you prefer a lighter taste, you can use maple syrup or honey instead.
- Warm Spices (Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg): These transform simple cereal into a holiday treat. Cinnamon adds sweetness, ginger brings a bit of zing, and nutmeg rounds everything out.
- Gingersnap Cookies: Crushed gingersnaps add crunch and concentrated gingerbread flavor. Use store-bought or homemade.
- White Chocolate Almond Bark: Smooth and easy to melt, almond bark coats the mix with creamy sweetness. You can substitute white chocolate chips with ½ teaspoon of coconut oil to make them easier to melt.
- Holiday Sprinkles: Because every Christmas treat deserves a little sparkle! Use red, green, and white for a festive look.
How To Make Gingerbread Puppy Chow
Make the spiced coating, coat the cereal, microwave, add cookies, spread the mixture, drizzle with chocolate, set, and serve.
Let me show you how:
- Add the cereal to a large microwave-safe bowl.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Microwave for 1 minute, stirring halfway through, until the butter is melted and the sugar dissolves.
- Pour the warm spiced butter mixture over the cereal. Gently stir with a rubber spatula until the cereal is evenly coated.
- Microwave the coated cereal for 2–2½ minutes, stirring every minute, until the cereal looks glazed and slightly crisp. Stir in the broken gingersnap cookies.
- Spread the mixture evenly onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate almond bark for 1 minute. Stir, then heat in 10–20 second intervals until nearly melted. Stir until smooth.
- Transfer to a piping bag or drizzle directly with a spoon over the snack mix. Immediately top with holiday sprinkles and candy before the chocolate sets.
- Allow to set for at least 15 minutes, or until the chocolate hardens. Break into clusters and store in an airtight container.
Top Recipe Tips
- Work quickly: Add sprinkles and candy while the chocolate is still warm so they stick.
- Mix gently: Fold rather than stir to keep the cereal from breaking.
- Don’t overheat the chocolate: White chocolate burns easily. Melt just until smooth.
- Add-ins: Try pretzels, pecans, or marshmallows for a fun twist.
Make a Holiday Platter
Make the best goodie trays to deliver to friends and family with this snack mix, Crockpot Candy, Gingerbread Blondies, and Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies.
How to Gift It
Package cooled snack mix into clear cellophane bags or small mason jars. Tie with festive ribbon and a tag. It’s a crowd-pleasing homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or coworkers.
Gingerbread Puppy Chow
Equipment
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Large microwave-safe bowl
- Small microwave-safe bowl
- Rubber spatula or spoon
- Disposable piping bag (or spoon for drizzling)
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 6 cups cinnamon, rice, or corn Chex cereal (or a combination)
- ¼ cup ½ stick unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 12 gingersnap cookies, broken into pieces
- 4 blocks white chocolate almond bark
- Holiday sprinkles
- Holiday candy
Instructions
Prep
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Add the cereal to a large microwave-safe bowl.
Make the spiced coating
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Microwave for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds, until the butter is melted and the sugar dissolves.
Coat the cereal
- Pour the warm spiced mixture over the cereal. Gently stir until the cereal is evenly coated.
Microwave
- Microwave the coated cereal for 2–2½ minutes, stirring every minute, until the cereal looks glazed and slightly crisp. Remove from the microwave.
Add cookies and spread
- Stir in the broken gingersnap cookies, then spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
Melt and drizzle chocolate
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate almond bark for 1 minute. Stir, then continue heating in 10–20 second intervals until almost melted. Stir until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or drizzle directly with a spoon over the snack mix.
Add sprinkles and candy
- Immediately top the drizzled mix with holiday candy and sprinkles. Allow to set for at least 15 minutes, or until the chocolate hardens.
Break and store
- Break the snack mix into clusters and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Storage Tips
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Refrigerator: Optional if your home is warm, but not required.
- Make ahead: Perfect for prepping a few days before parties or holiday events.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gingerbread Chex Mix Recipe FAQs
Yes, add ½ teaspoon of coconut oil to the chips before melting to prevent clumping.
Yes, bake at 250°F for 30–40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, before adding the white chocolate drizzle.
You can absolutely make this snack mix ahead of time. It’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for up to one week.
Be sure to let the mixture set completely before breaking it into chunks. Then divide it into cute tins or cellophane bags. Add a quick bow and a tag for a festive treat to deliver to friends and family.
Yes. This recipe doubles easily; just spread it between two baking sheets to ensure it spreads out evenly.
