Christmas Crack (AKA White Chocolate Chex Mix) - Stuck On Sweet

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Christmas Crack, also known as White Chocolate Chex Mix, is a holiday favorite that’s simple to prepare and always a crowd pleaser. My kids love to make this with me! It’s made with cereal, pretzels, peanuts and M&Ms, all coated in melted white chocolate. The result is a crunchy, sweet and salty Christmas Chex Mix that keeps you coming back for more. It works really well for parties, gifting or just snacking at home!

I brought this White Chocolate Chex Mix to a Christmas party last week and it was devoured.

There are a few reasons why this stuff gets eaten up in no time. It’s crunchy, sweet, a little salty and so appealing. There is something about smothering chex mix ingredients in white chocolate.

The combination of rice and corn chex, salted peanuts, pretzels, and Cheerios is SO good. I opted to make this gluten free which is incredibly easy – simply use gluten free pretzels. I personally think gluten free pretzels are better than regular pretzels. For this reason, I will always make this gluten free! I love having a few gluten free recipes readily available for gatherings. Several of my family members can’t eat gluten so Christmas Crack for EVERYONE!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy: Ready in 15 minutes. No baking required.
• Large batch: It makes plenty for holiday gatherings or gift bags. Thinking teacher gifts.
• Customizable: Swap cereals, mix-ins or chocolate based on preference. It can also be made gluten free.
• Make ahead: It stores well for several days so you can prepare in advance. This is ALWAYS helpful during the holiday season.

Christmas Crack Ingredients

• Rice or Corn Cereal – use both or one or the other. It does not effect the taste!
• Cheerios – Plain not honey!
• Salted peanuts – I prefer salted to give it a nice salty bite.
• Pretzels sticks – regular or gluten free work.
• White chocolate chips – any brand will work!
• Holiday M&Ms – any color will work, but the green and red are perfect for Christmas.

Instructions

• Prepare your pans – line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Combine the dry ingredients – In a very large mixing bowl (or divide into two bowls), add Chex, pretzels, Cheerios and peanuts. Mix lightly.
• Melt the chocolate – Place the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds, remove and stir. Continue microwaving at 20 second intervals, stirring after each until melted.
• Coat the mix – Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal mixture. Use a spatula or clean hands to fold everything together until evenly coated.
• Add candy – Fold in most of the M&Ms, reserving a handful to sprinkle on top after spreading.
• Spread and set – Spread the coated mixture onto your prepared sheet pans. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms on top. Let the mixture set at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Or refrigerate for 15 minutes until firm.
• Break apart and store – Once hardened, break the mixture into clusters. Store in an airtight container.

Christmas Crack Variations

There are so many delicious Chex mix recipes out there. Here are a few variation on this specific one that I think you will enjoy!

• Peppermint version: Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the melted chocolate. Stir it in after the white chocolate has been melted.
• Birthday cake variations: Not necessarily for the holidays, but same idea! Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to the white chocolate after it’s been melted. Use Sprinkles and colorful M&M’s for a festive birthday version.
• Nut free option – Leave out the peanuts and use extra pretzels or pumpkin seeds.
• Gluten free option – Use gluten free pretzels and cereals.
• Different candies – Try peanut butter M&Ms or toffee bits for a different flavor. This reminds me of my Caramel Chex Mix recipe. Equally as delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions

My chocolate got too thick while melting. What should I do?

Add 1-2 teaspoons neutral oil and stir until smooth again.

Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of white?

Sure! This option would be very good with peanut butter M&Ms and toffee bits. The classic white chocolate chex mix is made with white chocolate though.

Why is it called Christmas Crack?

Two reasons. One being the name comes from how crunchy the clusters are. The second, it’s hard to stop eating once you start.

How do I store it White Chocolate Chex Mix?

• Room temperature – It will last for one week in an airtight container or large zipper bag at room temperature.
• Refrigerator – It will last for two weeks in the refrigerator.
• Freezer – It can last up to 3 months in the freezer.

I absolutely love this Christmas Chex Mix Recipe. It’s simple to make, so festive, feeds a crowd and is the perfect holiday snack gift. It’s super kid friendly – such an easy recipe to make with kids. It also stores really well which makes holiday prepping a breeze. The holidays can’t come soon enough. Enjoy!

Happy eating!

Continue to Content Prep Time 45 minutes Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 36 ounces white chocolate chips (3 bags)
• 11.4 ounce bag m&ms
• 4 cups pretzels (gluten free pretzels work, too)
• 2 cups salted peanuts
• 7 cups rice or corn chex (you can use a mixture of both if you want)
• 4 cups regular cheerios

Instructions

1. Line two rimmed baking sheets (or aluminumroaster pans) with parchment paper; set aside. Make sure your baking sheets are rimmed, otherwise the chex mix will fall off easily. Place all ingredients EXCEPT for m&ms and white chocolate into a very large bowl.
2. Melt white chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler until completely melted. If you use the microwave, start melting for 1 minute then at 20 seconds intervals stirring after each interval to prevent the chocolate from seizing (getting too hot and clumping up).
3. Once the chocolate is melted, pour over chex mix mixture and gently stir with a spatula or your hands. I use my hands because I find it much easier. Dump half on one cookie sheet and half on the other spreading it out.
4. Add m&ms and gently mix a little so the m&m’s mix in with the ingredients. If you add the m&m’s too early the candy coating might melt and discolor the mix. If you don’t add them until after they cool, they will fall to the bottom of the bowl you serve it in.
5. Let the mix cool completely, about 30 minutes – 1 hour then break into clumps and add to a bowl!

Notes

This makes a TON of chex mix. You can easily reduce the amount if needed by only using 24 ounces of chocolate and reduce the amount of each ingredient by about 3/4 cup or so. However, I find that this stuff goes fast so I never end up having leftovers.

It will last in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature, 2 weeks refrigerated.

This can be frozen for up to 3 months in freezer bags or a container. Can be enjoyed for up to 1 week unfrozen in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1 Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1153Total Fat: 56gSaturated Fat: 27gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 536mgCarbohydrates: 147gFiber: 6gSugar: 84gProtein: 21g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated. Use as an approximation only.

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Recipe and Inspiration slightly adapted from What’s Gaby Cooking