Ingredients
- Base Ingredients:
- Corn Chex cereal
- Rice Chex cereal
- Captain Crunch® cereal (without berries)
- Salty Elements:
- Mini pretzels
- Lightly salted nuts (e.g., cashews, almonds)
- Sweet Additions:
- M&M’s (or seasonal variants, like pastel M&M’s for Easter)
- White chocolate (high-quality brands like Ghirardelli® or Guittard®)
- Optional Add-ins:
- Peanut butter (2 tablespoons, mixed with melted white chocolate)
- Popcorn
- Potato chips
- Bugles
- Festive Additions (Seasonal):
- Holiday-themed sprinkles (red and green for Christmas, pastel for Easter, etc.)
- Candy (like Cadbury eggs for Easter, or green-themed candies for St. Patrick’s Day)
Instructions
-
Prepare Your Ingredients:
- Measure out the cereals, pretzels, nuts, and candies. Lay them out on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy mixing later.
-
Melt the White Chocolate:
- Place white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Continue until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted.
- (Optional) If adding peanut butter, mix 2 tablespoons into the melted white chocolate for extra richness.
-
Mix the Trail Mix:
- Once the white chocolate is melted, pour it over the prepared dry ingredients. Use a spatula or spoon to gently toss everything together, ensuring the ingredients are evenly coated with the white chocolate.
-
Cool and Set:
- Spread the coated mixture out on the baking sheet in an even layer. Allow it to cool completely. As the white chocolate hardens, it will bind the ingredients together into a delicious snack mix.
-
Package and Serve:
- Once the trail mix has cooled and set, break it into pieces and serve in bowls or package it in cellophane bags, mason jars, or decorative tins for gifting. It can also be stored in an airtight container for future snacking.
Notes
- Customization: Feel free to adjust the mix to your taste. Add different cereals, nuts, or even dried fruit to make your trail mix unique. For a more indulgent treat, try adding chocolate chips or other candies.
- Seasonal Variations: Change up the candy colors or shapes to match the season (e.g., red and green M&M’s for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter).
- Storage: Store the trail mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1-2 weeks. Avoid refrigerating, as it can affect the texture of the white chocolate coating. You can freeze it for up to 3 months if needed, though the texture might change slightly when thawed.
Additional Tips:
- Balance the Sweetness: If the mix is too sweet for your taste, add more salty elements like pretzels or Chex cereal to balance it out.
- Troubleshooting Seized Chocolate: If your white chocolate seizes (becomes grainy), you can fix it by adding a teaspoon of vegetable oil or boiling water and whisking it well.
- Portion Control: A typical serving is about 30-45 grams, or roughly 240 calories per serving. This helps to enjoy the snack without overindulging.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (for measuring and preparing ingredients)
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (for melting chocolate)
- Category: Snack, Dessert, Party Treat
- Method: Mixing, Melting (Chocolate)
- Cuisine: American (Customizable for any occasion)
- Diet: Vegetarian