Description

Make this festive Christmas Party Mix (“Christmas Crack”) with cereal, caramel popcorn, candy melts & more—perfect holiday treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Mix

6 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 cups Cheerios
3 cups Cinnamon Crunch cereal (or similarly spiced cereal)
2 cups animal crackers
3 cups Crunch N’ Munch caramel popcorn
2 cups pretzels
1 cup chow mein noodles

Binder & Coating

¼ cup pure maple syrup
1 cup white candy melts (vanilla)
1½ cups powdered sugar

Optional Add‑Ins

2 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup mini M&Ms
½ cup red and green candy Dots
¼ cup red sprinkles
¼ cup green sprinkles
¼ cup chocolate bark, melted (for drizzle)

Instructions

Prepare a large mixing container and tray.
Line a large baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or waxed paper. Have a very large mixing bowl or roasting pan ready to hold the cereal mix.
Combine the dry base ingredients.
In the mixing bowl, gently stir together the Rice Chex, Cheerios, Cinnamon Crunch cereal, animal crackers, Crunch N’ Munch, pretzels, and chow mein noodles until evenly distributed.
Melt the candy coating with maple syrup.
In a microwave‑safe bowl, combine the 1 cup white candy melts and ¼ cup maple syrup. Microwave in 20‑ to 30‑second bursts, stirring between, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. Be careful not to overheat or burn. Alternatively, use a double boiler. The maple syrup helps thin the coating and adds flavor.
Coat the cereal mix.
Immediately pour the melted candy/melt mixture over the dry mix. Use a large spatula or spoon to gently fold and stir, coating as evenly as possible. Work quickly before the coating begins to set.
Dust with powdered sugar.
Transfer the coated mix in batches to a large zip‑top bag (or two). Add the 1½ cups of powdered sugar, seal, and gently shake until the pieces are lightly dusted. If you prefer, you can do this step over the lined tray: sprinkle powdered sugar and gently toss on the tray.
Spread to set.
Spread the coated and sugared mix onto the prepared baking sheet/tray in a thin single or double layer. This allows air to circulate and helps prevent clumping.
Add optional mix‑ins and drizzle.
While the mix is still slightly tacky (but not fully firm), sprinkle on optional mini marshmallows, mini M&Ms, red/green Dots, and sprinkles. If using the melted chocolate bark drizzle, lightly drizzle it over the top in thin lines using a spoon or piping bag.
Allow to fully set.
Let the party mix rest at room temperature until fully set—typically 30–60 minutes. In warmer homes, you may refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to speed setting, but avoid condensation.
Break up and serve.
Once hardened, gently break apart any clumps into bite‑size clusters. Transfer the mix to serving bowls or into gift containers.
Store or gift.
Store in airtight containers or gift bags (see storage tips below).

Notes

The key is to work quickly when folding in the coating, before it starts to harden.

Use the parchment‑lined tray to help break up clusters without sticking.

If the coating thickens as you go, gently warm it again in short bursts.

If parts of the mix are undercoated, dusting with powdered sugar helps fill in.

Adjust thickness of the coating by varying the amount of candy melts or syrup slightly—but don’t overdo it or the mix becomes overly heavy.