Embrace the joy of the holiday season with a delightful treat that is incredibly simple to make! This irresistible Christmas trash recipe combines crunchy cereals, salty pretzels, and festive candies, all bound together with sweet white chocolate. It’s the perfect no-bake snack for busy parents and beginners. Prepare this fun holiday mix in minutes for family gatherings, school parties, or charming homemade gifts.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Trash
This festive candy mix is a holiday staple for many great reasons. You’ll quickly see why it disappears so fast!
- Incredibly Easy & Quick: This no-bake recipe comes together in under 15 minutes of active prep time.
- Perfect Sweet & Salty Balance: Enjoy the addictive combination of sweet chocolate and salty pretzels and peanuts.
- Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
- Great for Parties & Gifting: It’s an ideal crowd-pleaser and makes charming edible gifts.
- Kid-Friendly Assembly: Little helpers love tossing ingredients and breaking the hardened treat.
Ingredients
Gather these pantry staples and festive candies to create your batch of delicious Christmas trash recipe. Using quality ingredients ensures the best flavor and texture for your holiday snack mix.
- 3 cups Rice Chex Cereal
- 3 cups Corn Chex Cereal
- 3 cups Honey Nut Cheerios Toasted Oat Cereal
- 2 cups Small Pretzels
- 2 cups Salted Peanuts
- 1 (12-ounce) bag Holiday M&M’s Plain Chocolate Candy (red & green)
- 1 (12-ounce) bag Holiday M&M’s Peanut Chocolate Candies
- 2 (12-ounce) bags White Chocolate Chips
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adapt this holiday treat. Feel free to use Wheat Chex or other plain cereals for variety. If peanuts are a concern, substitute with cashews, almonds, or sunflower seeds. Beyond M&M’s, consider chopped candy canes, other festive chocolates, or even gummy candies. You can also use white almond bark or melting wafers instead of white chocolate chips for easier melting. For an extra touch, add dried cranberries, mini marshmallows, or chopped dried apricots to the mix.
Equipment
You won’t need many special tools for this easy Christmas trash recipe. Most of these items are probably already in your kitchen.
- Very large mixing bowl (or two large bowls)
- Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler setup
- Rubber spatula or large spoon
- Two baking sheets or large sheets of wax paper
Instructions
Creating this festive holiday snack is straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect Christmas trash recipe every time.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Prepare the Cereal Mixture: In your very largest mixing bowl, combine the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Honey Nut Cheerios, small pretzels, salted peanuts, Holiday Plain M&M’s, and Holiday Peanut M&M’s. Gently stir everything together until the ingredients are well distributed. A large bowl helps ensure easy tossing later.
- Melt the White Chocolate: Place the white chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave on high for 60 seconds. Stir well. Continue heating in 30-second intervals, stirring vigorously after each, until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted. Be careful not to overheat it, which can cause it to seize. Alternatively, use a double boiler over simmering water, stirring constantly until melted.
Understanding why chocolate seizes, as explained by Ethel M Chocolates, can help you prevent this common issue and ensure a smooth, delicious coating for your treats.
Understanding Seized Chocolate and How to Fix It - Combine and Coat: Promptly pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal and candy mixture in the large bowl. Using a rubber spatula or a sturdy spoon, gently fold and toss the ingredients. Work quickly and thoroughly to ensure all the cereals, pretzels, and candies are evenly coated in the delicious white chocolate.
- Harden the Mixture: Line two large baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper. Spread the coated mixture evenly across the prepared sheets in a thin layer. This allows for quicker and more uniform hardening. Let the mixture sit undisturbed at room temperature for about 1 to 2 hours, or until the white chocolate is completely firm and set. You can also place it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to speed up this process.
- Break and Store: Once fully hardened, break the large pieces of Christmas trash recipe into smaller, bite-sized clusters. Transfer the festive snack mix to an airtight container.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Ensuring your holiday snack mix turns out perfectly every time is easy with a few simple tricks.
- Prevent Chocolate Seizing: To avoid your white chocolate from seizing (becoming thick and grainy), melt it slowly and avoid getting any water into the bowl.
- Avoid Over-Tossing: Be gentle when coating the mixture to prevent the cereals and pretzels from breaking into too many small pieces.
- Adjust Sweetness: For a less sweet mix, reduce the amount of M&M’s or use plain pretzels instead of honey wheat.
- Troubleshoot Sticky Mix: If your mix seems sticky, ensure the chocolate completely hardens before breaking it apart. Pop it in the fridge for a bit longer.
- Even Coating: Pour the chocolate directly over the mixture’s center, then gently work from the bottom up to ensure every piece gets coated.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile Christmas trash recipe is perfect for countless holiday occasions. Serve it in a large bowl as a festive snack for guests to graze on. For thoughtful homemade gifts, package individual portions in decorative jars, cellophane bags, or tins.
Store your finished Christmas trash recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two to three weeks. If stored properly, it retains its crunch and flavor for an extended period, making it ideal for making ahead.
Variations:
- Chocolate Swap: Use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or a combination of chocolates for a different flavor profile. Drizzle a second type of melted chocolate over the hardened mix.
- Sprinkle Fun: Before the white chocolate sets, sprinkle festive holiday sprinkles over the top for an extra pop of color.
- Texture Boost: Add mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint candies, or different dried fruits like golden raisins or chopped dried apricots for new textures.
- Holiday Shape: Press the mixture into a parchment-lined baking dish, then cut it into squares or use cookie cutters for holiday shapes once firm.
Freezing:
You can freeze this Christmas trash recipe! Place individual portions or the entire batch in a freezer-safe, airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving. The texture may soften slightly, but the flavor remains delicious.
Nutrition
This Christmas trash recipe is an indulgent holiday treat designed to be enjoyed in moderation during the festive season. The nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on specific brands and exact ingredient amounts used.
| Nutrient | Amount (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1/2 cup |
| Calories | 280 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 5mg |
| Sodium | 160mg |
| Total Carbs | 35g |
| Sugars | 24g |
| Protein | 4g |
FAQ
- Can I use other types of cereal for this Christmas trash recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute with other plain cereals like Wheat Chex, Life cereal, or even crispy rice cereal. Just maintain the total cereal volume. - How do I prevent the chocolate from clumping or seizing?
Melt white chocolate slowly in short intervals, stirring well each time. Avoid overheating it, and make sure no water or steam gets into the chocolate. - How long does Christmas trash last?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, your holiday snack mix will stay fresh for up to 2-3 weeks. It makes a great make-ahead treat. - Can I make this recipe ahead of time for gifts?
Yes, this is an excellent make-ahead gift! Prepare it up to two weeks in advance, store it properly, and then package it just before gifting. - Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe is not inherently gluten-free due to the traditional Chex cereals, Cheerios, and pretzels. You can make it gluten-free by using certified gluten-free cereals, gluten-free pretzels, and ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Conclusion
This easy and festive Christmas trash recipe is a surefire way to bring holiday cheer to your home. Its sweet and salty crunch makes it an irresistible snack that disappears quickly at any gathering. Simple to prepare and endlessly customizable, it’s the perfect treat for busy parents and beginner bakers alike. Get into the holiday spirit by whipping up a batch of this delightful holiday snack mix today!
