Christmas Snack Mix
Get in the holiday spirit with this yummy Christmas Snack Mix. Every handful is a jolly blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy goodness with Chex cereal, popcorn, pretzels, and holiday candy.
Servings: 24 people
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- Microwave-safe bowls
- Rubber spatula or spoon
- Piping bag or zip-top bag
- baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- measuring cups
- Small tongs or fork
Ingredients
- 2 cups mini pretzels square, twists, or both
- 4 blocks white almond bark about 4 oz total, divided
- Holiday sprinkles
- 6 cups rice or corn Chex cereal
- 1 cup holiday chocolate candy M&Ms, Sixlets, etc.
- 2 cups popcorn
- 1 cup peppermint-coated pretzels optional
Santa Hats
- 1 package 2.33 oz Muddy Bites waffle cone snacks or Bugles (see notes)
- ½ cup red candy melts
- Mini marshmallows or Mallow-bites
- White sprinkles optional
Instructions
Chocolate Pretzels
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange pretzels in a single layer.
- Melt one block of almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl: heat 1 minute, stir, then continue in 20-second intervals until almost melted. Stir until smooth.
- Transfer to a piping bag or drizzle with a spoon.
- Immediately add holiday sprinkles. Let it set for 15 minutes or until hardened.
Santa Hats
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Melt red candy melts as directed above.
- Dip cone snacks into melted red chocolate and place on prepared sheet to dry, about 15 minutes.
- If using, dip the bottom rim into red chocolate, then white sprinkles.
- Attach a mini marshmallow on top with a dab of melted chocolate.
- Let the hats set completely before adding to the mix.
Snack Mix
- In a large bowl, combine cereal, popcorn, and prepared pretzels.
- Spread evenly onto a large baking sheet.
- Melt the remaining 3 blocks of almond bark and drizzle over the mixture. Immediately add more sprinkles if desired. Let it set until hardened.
- Break into pieces, then toss with peppermint pretzels, holiday chocolate candy, and Santa hats.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
If you can’t find Muddy Bites, use Bugles or cut the tips off sugar cones.
Storage & Reheating / Make-Ahead & Leftover Ideas
- Storage: Store the finished mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the chocolate-drizzled pretzels and Santa Hats a day ahead and keep them separately in an airtight container. On party day, melt the almond bark, assemble the mix with the cereal/popcorn base, and then add the pre-made components for ease.
- Leftover Ideas: If you have leftover mix, you can package it in small resealable bags for holiday gifting. Or serve the next day with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an impromptu sweet-and-salty sundae.