HOT CHOCOLATE SNACK MIX

Hot Chocolate Snack Mix is a crunchy and delicious treat to munch on this holiday season, full of Chex cereal, chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers!

Hot Chocolate Snack Mix is a recipe I found on the back of a bag of marshmallows earlier this year, and I have been waiting for the outside temperature to drop so I could make it! This snack mix is easy to make and it really does taste just like hot chocolate – it’s the perfect fall/winter (or anytime!) snack!  The recipe makes a pretty large batch so I think I’ll be making some for my neighbors once we get a little closer to the holidays!

WHAT IS HOT CHOCOLATE SNACK MIX?

By now you’ve no doubt heard of puppy chow or similar cereal mix recipes. This recipe is pretty similar to those in that it uses a chocolate mixture to combine Rice Chex Cereal and then has a dusting of powdered sugar at the end. The biggest difference is that these ingredients are meant to give you a crunchy snack mix that tastes exactly like your favorite cup of cocoa.

HOT CHOCOLATE SNACK MIX INGREDIENTS

-Chex cereal: Rice Chex cereal or another variety will work, but plain flavored is best because it doesn’t cover up the flavors we’re adding to this recipe.

-Marshmallows: We want mini marshmallows for this snack mix, after all- what’s hot chocolate without marshmallows?

-Graham crackers: You can break up graham crackers into small pieces or switch them out for golden graham cereal depending on your preferences.

-Hot chocolate mix: Yes, that instant packet of hot cocoa (the one where you just add milk or water).

-Hot water: Not much is needed, it’s mostly to help make a paste with the cocoa mix to help coat the cereal pieces.

-Butter: Salted or unsalted is up to you, but this butter will help to make the snack mix taste deliciously rich and savory.

-Semi sweet chocolate chips: Because we need multiple forms of chocolate in this recipe to really make it stand out and taste amazing.

-Cinnamon: Adding a depth of comforting nutty flavor to the recipe.

-Powdered sugar: This will coat the cereal in the end so it gives you an instant burst of sweetness when you go to eat it.

-Baking cocoa: Mixed with the powdered sugar coating this is going to give it a chocolate flavor you can recognize right off of the bat plus it adds a nice brown color to the cereal snack mix.

HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE SNACK MIX?

In a large bowl, combine the Rice Chex, marshmallows, and graham crackers and mix them together.

In a different microwave safe bowl combine 1 tablespoon of hot chocolate mix with water until the mix is dissolved. Stir in the chocolate chips, butter and cinnamon.

Microwave for 1 minute and then stir. Continue microwaving in 20 seconds intervals, stirring well between each until smooth.

Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir well to coat.

In a different bowl, combine the powdered sugar, remaining 4 tablespoons of cocoa mix and the baking cocoa. Once well mixed, pour it over the wet cereal mixture and toss to coat well.

Lay the cereal out in a single layer on a piece of wax paper and then let the cereal cool.

Keep stored in an airtight container.

IS HOT CHOCOLATE SNACK MIX GLUTEN FREE?

This recipe as is can be made gluten free by choosing to use a gluten free graham cracker in the mix, or omitting that portion completely. Chex cereal makes several gluten free varieties, just keep an eye out for cross contamination or allergy warnings on other ingredients and you’ll be fine.

HOW LONG IS HOT CHOCOLATE SNACK MIX GOOD FOR?

This snack mix can be good for anywhere between 3-7 days depending on how well you keep it stored. Because the cereal gets wet, you can imagine that it ends up a little chewy and stale the older it becomes, but the flavors are still delicious.

WOULD PEPPERMINT CANDIES BE GOOD IN THIS SNACK MIX?

Adding crushed peppermint candies is a great idea to help get the full winter hot cocoa experience in the snack mix, but adding peppermint chips (found in the baking aisle) could be a better idea. They’re softer and will not be as big of a crunch in every bite so they blend in more smoothly with the current recipe results and taste like they belonged there from the beginning.