5 Minute Christmas Crack: A Simple Sweet and Salty Chex Mix Snack
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‘Tis the season for sweet and salty, and easy. This simple Christmas Crack recipe, or Christmas Chex Mix, can be made in 5 minutes or less — and is incredibly tasty. Does it get better than that? Not during the holidays!
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5 Minute Christmas Crack/Christmas Chex Mix
Five minutes, few ingredients — and so good, it’s almost addictive.
And festive? Did I mention that? Chock full of Christmas green, red, and white. Perfect for gifts, unexpected guests, or just for munching while watching your favorite Christmas movie.
This quick-fix sweet and salty snack combines Rice Chex, Wheat Chex, pretzel sticks, mini marshmallows, M&Ms, and white chocolate. It makes a big batch and is perfect for storing in the refrigerator and, yes, even in the freezer!
Christmas Chex Mix Ingredients
Specific measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here is a list of what you’ll need:
- Chex cereal (I used Rice Chex and Wheat Chex)
- Pretzel Sticks
- Mini Marshmallows
- Red and Green M&Ms
- White Chocolate for melting
How to Make Christmas Chex Mix
In a large bowl, combine the cereal, pretzels, marshmallows, and M&Ms. Mix them up a bit to evenly distribute.
Step 1: Melt Chocolate
Meanwhile, over a double boiler or bain-marie, melt the white chocolate according to its package instructions.
Step 2: Coat the Chex Mix
Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, drizzle it over the cereal mix and combine it with a spoon or even your hands. Be sure the cereal mixture is evenly coated with chocolate. Melt a little more white chocolate if needed!
Step 3: Let Dry
Spread the mixture onto a large sheet of parchment or wax paper. Let dry for an hour or so until the chocolate is cool and hardened. Break it into pieces and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
How to Store Christmas Chex Mix
Store Christmas Crack in an airtight container at room temperature for several days to a week. Freezer for longer storage!
How to Freeze Christmas Chex Mix
I store it in an air-tight plastic bag in the freezer. I actually like it best right out of the freezer – and this way it lasts forever and doesn’t go stale.
Christmas Chex Mix Tips Tricks
Absolutely! Use whatever cereal you like best and get creative by adding in extras like nuts or other sweet and salty snacks.
Chex mix tastes best at its freshestu002du002d within 2-3 days of making. But, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week, or in the freezer, in a freezer-safe container or bag, for up to 3 months!
You can absolutely make this mix gluten-free by avoiding wheat Chex and adding GF pretzels!
More Easy Christmas Ideas
- Christmas Candy to Make Ahead
- Holiday Cookies from Around the World
- Easy Hot Chocolate Mix
- Vintage Christmas Cookies
- Decking the Halls with Orange Pomanders
- Christmas Muddy Buddies Recipe
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5 Minute Christmas Crack Chex Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups Rice Chex
- 4 cups Wheat Chex
- 1 cup Pretzel Sticks
- 1 cup Mini Marshmallows
- 2-3 cups M&M’s
- 24 oz White Chocolate for melting
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the cereal, pretzels, marshmallows, and M&Ms. Mix them up a bit to evenly distribute.
- Meanwhile, over a double boiler, bain-marie, or in the microwave, melt the white chocolate according to package instructions.
- Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, drizzle it over the cereal mix and combine it with a spoon or even your hands. Be sure the cereal mixture is evenly coated with chocolate. Melt a little more white chocolate if needed!
- Spread the mixture onto a large sheet of parchment or wax paper. Let dry for an hour or so, until the chocolate is cool and hardened. Break it into easy pieces and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
Storing
This recipe does not need to be refrigerated, but will keep longer in the fridge, or in the freezer for up to 4 weeks.Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Instead of wheat chex I used cinnamon toast crunch smores cereal a!omg with rice chex. I also used mini pretzel twists divided and added one.cup of salted cocktail peanuts. I separated in two bowls and also increased the white chips to 30 oz three bags and divided them to one and one half per bowls carefully mixed it and let it set… Yummy…Linda from Brea ca.
That sounds amazing! The Cinnamon Toast Crunch is brilliant. I’m so glad you enjoyed it— thank you for sharing your adaptations!
Does the Christmas Crack need to be refrigerated? I would like to mail this to family members and it will take a couple days to get there.
Hi Betsy! The Christmas Crack does not have to be refrigerated — and should ship very well. Be sure to pack it in an airtight container or bag.
Do you have measurements for the Chex cereal and the pretzels
Yes! The ingredient measurements are in a recipe card at the very bottom of the post. I used 4 cups of Rice Chex and 4 cups of Wheat Chex (use your favorite blend). Then you will need about 1 cup of pretzels. I used the sticks.
I’m like Ellie Do you put the marshmallows mix before you pour the chocolate or after you pour the chocolate over the mixture
Hi Tonya — stir the marshmallows in with the cereal, pretzels, and M&Ms. I’ve updated the instructions — thanks so much for your question!
When do the marshmallows get put in to this crack
Hi Ellie! Add the marshmallows with the Chex Cereal. Enjoy 😍
Takes longer than 5 minutes, more like 15. Wii use different chocolate next time. Did not melt as expected. Or may try some other to pour over. Still, end result is addictive!
Thank you, Barbara. I keep munching on it today too 😍