Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is essential as it helps to create a perfectly toasted mix, enhancing all those wonderful flavors.
- Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly coat it with nonstick cooking spray. This prevents the mix from sticking and makes for an easier cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 6 cups of Crispix cereal or Chex. This will serve as the crunchy base of your mix, so be sure to spread it out evenly for even coating.
- In a medium saucepan, place 1/2 cup of salted butter and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Set it over medium-high heat. Stir constantly until the mixture starts to boil. This step is crucial as it helps melt the butter while dissolving the sugar.
- Once it reaches a rolling boil, continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. You’ll see the mixture bubble and thicken slightly, creating a syrupy consistency.
- Immediately pour this hot mixture over the cereal in the mixing bowl. Use a spatula to gently toss and coat the cereal evenly. The heat will help the sugar mixture soak in.
- Next, spread the coated cereal mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure it's in an even layer for uniform baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Remove it after 8 minutes and give it a quick stir to ensure even toasting.
- Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 8 minutes. This will create a perfect crunch. After that, take it out and set it aside to cool completely.
- While the mix is cooling, spread 6 cups of popcorn onto a large sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil. We want the popcorn to stay fluffy and not become too soggy.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, place 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. This creates a luscious drizzle for your popcorn.
- Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the popcorn and immediately sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. Let it cool until the chocolate hardens; this adds a festive touch.
- In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooled cereal mixture, popcorn, 1 cup of cashews, 1 cup of yogurt-covered pretzels, 1/2 cup of M&M candies, and 9 ounces of candy cane Hershey's Kisses. Toss lightly to combine all those wonderful ingredients.
- If desired, sprinkle with holiday sprinkles for an extra festive flair. Store your Christmas Snack Mix in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Notes
To keep your mix fresh and crunchy, store it in an airtight container. Avoid storing it in a humid environment, as moisture can make it lose its delightful texture. You can freeze the mix for longer storage, just place it in an airtight bag or container.