Ingredients
Equipment
Method
1. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a very large mixing bowl, combine the Chex cereal, Cheerios, broken pretzel sticks, and Valentine M&M's. Use a bowl that is big enough to allow for easy and thorough stirring without making a mess. Gently stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mix.
2. Melt the White Chocolate:
- Place the white chocolate (such as Ghirardelli wafers) in a microwave-safe bowl. To melt it properly and prevent seizing, microwave the chocolate at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir it thoroughly, then continue to melt in 30-second increments, stirring well after each interval. Do not overcook or the white chocolate will burn or seize, becoming clumpy and unusable. The ideal temperature range for melting white chocolate is typically 100-115°F (38-46°C). Adjust melting times according to your microwave's wattage, which usually ranges from 800-1200W.
- Now, for our unique twist: reserve about 1/4 to 1/3 of the plain melted white chocolate in a separate small bowl. To this reserved portion, gently fold in 1-2 tablespoons of finely crushed freeze-dried strawberry powder. Stir just until a delicate pink, swirled chocolate forms. Set this strawberry-swirled chocolate aside for drizzling.
3. Coat the Mix:
- Pour the *plain* melted white chocolate over the main Chex mix in the large bowl. With a sturdy silicone spatula, gently but thoroughly stir until all the cereals, pretzels, and M&M's are beautifully coated and glossy. If you wish to add extra M&M's, do so immediately after stirring for better adherence while the chocolate is still wet.
- Next, take your prepared *strawberry-swirled* white chocolate and artfully drizzle it over the coated mix. The goal is to create attractive pink streaks and swirls rather than fully incorporating it. While the chocolate is still wet, liberally scatter heart sprinkles over the mix to ensure they stick evenly and become a permanent part of your festive snack.
4. Set and Finish:
- Pour the entire fragrant Chex mix onto a large piece of parchment paper laid out on a baking sheet. Spread it into a single, relatively thin layer. This ensures that the chocolate hardens evenly and quickly. Immediately sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt evenly over the mix. This flaky sea salt enhances the sweet-salty dynamic wonderfully and adheres best while the chocolate is still soft.
- Allow the mix to set until completely hardened. This will take at least 15 minutes at cool room temperature, or you can place it briefly in the refrigerator for faster setting, especially if your kitchen is warm.
5. Break Apart:
- Once the chocolate has fully hardened, the Chex Mix will be one solid piece. Simply use your hands to break it apart into snackable clusters. You can also use a spatula to help break it into appealing pieces without excessive crumbling.
Nutrition
Notes
Once fully hardened, store this Valentine Chex Mix in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 1-2 weeks to maintain its crunch and freshness. It can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for 1-2 months; thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving. This recipe is ideal for making ahead up to a week in advance, simplifying holiday preparations. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.