October 21, 2023
Review RecipeGingerbread Chex Mix
Table of Contents
It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit with this festive gingerbread Chex mix. It’s spicy, crunchy, and loaded with plenty of goodies – everything you want in a good party treat; plus, it’s easy to make and customize to your liking.
Gingerbread Chex Mix Ingredients
Gingerbread Chex mix has a deliciously unique flavor that takes snacking to the next level! A perfect balance between salty, sweet, and spicy, this mix is guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.
The combination of Chex cereal pieces with classic holiday spices like cinnamon and ginger gives an unbeatable festive flavor that will be sure to get your mouth watering.
To make this crunchy snack, you’ll need:
- 3 cups of honey Chex cereal
- 3 cups of corn Chex cereal
- 1 cup of pecan halves
- 1 cup of mini pretzel twists
- 1 cup of ginger snap cookie crumbles (larger chunks)
- ½ cup of unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup of dark brown sugar
- ⅓ cup of unsulphured molasses
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon of nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon of ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 8 ounces of vanilla almond bark (melted according to package directions)
- Optional garnish – holiday sprinkles
Substitutions And Additions
CHEX CEREAL: You can use any combination of Chex mix cereal you desire for this recipe. You just need a total of six cups.
I like to use the cinnamon Chex cereal, the rice Chex, or even the whole wheat Chex cereal if I can find it.
You just want to remember to use the Chex cereal and not the bagged Chex snack mix that you find in the chips/snacks aisle of your grocery store.
SPICE: I like to use a premade gingerbread spice blend for my holiday gingerbread baking and snack making.
If you have a favorite spice blend, use one tablespoon instead of the spices listed in this recipe.
You can also make your own gingerbread spice blend, in bulk, by multiplying the spices in this recipe by four.
Stir them together and store them in a lidded container in your pantry.
NUTS: I love the combination of pecans and warm gingerbread spices. You can substitute the pecans for walnuts or even a mixed nut blend in this great recipe.
CHOCOLATE: You can substitute a 10-ounce bag of white chocolate melting wafers for the vanilla almond bark in this recipe.
I like to use the Ghirardelli brand for its flavor and ease of use. You will just need to follow the package directions for melting.
How To Make This Gingerbread Chex Mix Recipe
Making this Chex mix snack is quick and easy, making it perfect for a party.
First, you will combine all the snack items listed above, including the Chex, nuts, pretzels, and cookies.
This will then be coated with a molasses, brown sugar, butter, and spice mixture.
Spread out the coated ingredients on a baking tray and bake. Finally, drizzle with vanilla almond bark and serve.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
STEP TWO: In a large bowl, add the honey Chex cereal, corn Chex cereal, pecan halves, mini pretzel twists, and gingersnap cookie pieces. Stir to combine.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Don’t overmix when stirring the cereal mixture in the bowl; you don’t want to break the Chex cereal.
STEP THREE: In a small saucepan on medium-low heat, add the unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, unsulphured molasses, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.
Cook for two to three minutes or just until all the butter and sugars have melted and combined to make a spiced sauce.
PRO TIP:
Make sure to stir the butter mixture often to prevent it from burning.
STEP FOUR: Pour the butter sauce over the bowl of gingerbread Chex mix ingredients. Stir to evenly coat all the ingredients with the butter sauce.
STEP FIVE: Transfer the gingerbread Chex mix to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet and spread it out into an even layer.
STEP SIX: Bake for ten minutes.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your Chex mix as the suggested baking time approaches.
STEP SEVEN: Remove the gingerbread Chex mix from the oven and use a spatula, or large mixing spoon, to gently toss the mixture around on the baking sheet.
Return to the oven to bake for an additional ten minutes.
STEP EIGHT: Cool the mixture on the baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the vanilla almond bark drizzle.
STEP NINE: To make the vanilla almond bark drizzle, you will add your vanilla almond bark to a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in the microwave for two to three minutes – one minute at a time and stirring between minutes or according to package directions.
STEP TEN: Using a large spoon, drizzle the melted vanilla over the baking sheet of the cooled gingerbread Chex mix.
STEP ELEVEN: Top with the optional holiday sprinkles while the vanilla almond bark is still warm. This helps the sprinkles to stick.
Allow the gingerbread Chex mix to set on the counter for 30 minutes or until the vanilla almond bark drizzle has hardened.
You may need to use your hands to break up the Chex mix a little to make it easier to snack on.
PRO TIP:
You can transfer the gingerbread Chex mix to a large serving bowl if serving a crowd.
How To Serve
This sweet and savory mix is a great treat for snacking on while you deck the halls or just watch a holiday movie marathon.
Serve it with homemade hot chocolate or crockpot peppermint hot chocolate.
Or take it up a notch by pairing the cozy and homey flavors of the mix with creamy homemade eggnog.
This treat also makes a great gift in individual bags tied with a festive holiday ribbon.
Our pumpkin spice Chex mix and dill pickle Chex mix are two more delicious recipes for this irresistible party snack.
MORE CHEX MIX RECIPES
Storage
As you’ve just made this scrumptious gingerbread Chex mix, let’s make sure you know how to store it properly to keep those festive flavors intact.
MAKE AHEAD: Ensure the mix has cooled completely after baking. Then, transfer it to an airtight container, making sure to seal it well to prevent moisture from affecting its crispness.
You can store your homemade Chex mix at room temperature for up to a week without any issues.
ON THE COUNTER: This addictive snack mix can be stored in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature for up to one week.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the cooled party mix for up to two months. Store it in a Ziploc bag or airtight container.
Why We Love This Recipe
There are lots of reasons we adore this snack recipe:
IRRESISTIBLE HOLIDAY FLAVOR: This Chex mix captures the warm and comforting flavors of gingerbread, making it a perfect treat for the holiday season.
PERFECT FOR GIFTING: Packaged in festive containers or bags, this gingerbread Chex mix makes a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends, neighbors, or coworkers.
White chocolate gingerbread Chex mix is a great way to get snacking during the holiday season. Loaded with plenty of crunch and gingerbread flavor, you won’t be able to stop at just one handful.
Frequently Asked Questions
This festive holiday snack mix is very flexible. Add or omit whichever ingredients you’d like, and it will still be a very tasty treat.
This easy gingerbread Chex party mix recipe can be frozen for up to two months stored in an airtight container.
Homemade Chex mix can be safely stored for up to one week in an airtight container on the counter.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Soft Pretzels
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Pull Apart Pigs in a Blanket
- 2 Ingredient Bagels
- Bites (with Cheddar Sauce)
- Christmas Chex Mix
- Molasses Cookies
- Gingerbread
- Lemon Puppy Chow
- Rainbow Popcorn
- Puppy Chow Recipe
- Gingerbread Kiss Cookies
- Gingerbread Men Cookies
- Gingerbread Cupcakes
- Mandarin Orange Pretzel Salad
- Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups honey Chex cereal
- 3 cups corn Chex cereal
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup mini pretzel twists
- 1 cup ginger snap cookie crumbles, larger chunks
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- ⅓ cup unsulphured molasses
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces vanilla almond bark, melted according to package directions
- holiday sprinkles, optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the honey Chex cereal, corn Chex cereal, pecan halves, mini pretzel twists, and gingersnap cookie crumbles. Stir to combine.
- In a small saucepan on medium-low heat, add the unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, unsulphured molasses, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or just until all the butter and sugars have melted and combined to make a spiced sauce. You will need to stir the butter mixture often to prevent burning.
- Pour the butter sauce over the bowl of gingerbread Chex mix ingredients. Stir to evenly coat all the ingredients with the butter sauce.
- Transfer the gingerbread Chex mix mixture to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet and spread it out into an even layer.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the gingerbread Chex mix from the oven and use a spatula, or large mixing spoon, to gently toss the mixture around on the baking sheet, then return to the oven to bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Cool the mixture on the baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the vanilla almond bark drizzle.
- To make the vanilla almond bark drizzle, you will add your vanilla almond bark to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes (1 minute at a time and stirring between minutes), or according to package directions.
- Using a large spoon, drizzle the melted vanilla almond butter over the baking sheet of the cooled gingerbread Chex mix.
- Top with the optional holiday sprinkles while the vanilla almond bark is still warm. This helps the sprinkles to stick. Allow the gingerbread Chex mix to set on the counter for 30 minutes or until the vanilla almond bark drizzle has hardened. You may need to use your hands to break up the Chex mix a little to make it easier to snack on.
Notes
- Don’t overmix when stirring the cereal mixture in the bowl; you don’t want to break the Chex cereal.
- Make sure to stir the butter mixture often to prevent it from burning.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your Chex mix as the suggested baking time approaches.
- You can transfer the gingerbread Chex mix to a large serving bowl if serving a crowd.
Comments
Kathleen C McMann says
I love your recipes! They are deeelish as well as easy and beautifully presented. When I look for something to bring to an event, I know you will not disappoint. Thank you and keep the recipes coming…