This Fall/Halloween Buddy Mix is a festive treat packed with sweet and salty goodness! Perfect for spooky season gatherings, this mix combines Chex cereal with melted chocolate, peanut butter, and a variety of colorful Halloween candies. It's a snack that everyone will love, and it disappears in no time!
INGREDIENTS
- 12 ounces Chex rice cereal: The base of the mix, providing a light and crunchy texture.
- 1 stick of butter: Adds richness and helps melt the chocolate and peanut butter.
- 6 ounces peanut butter chips: Enhances the peanut butter flavor and adds creaminess.
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts into a smooth, chocolatey coating for the cereal.
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: Adds a rich and creamy texture, binding the mix together.
- 3 cups powdered sugar: Coats the cereal, adding sweetness and a fun, powdery finish.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Adds a hint of vanilla flavor to the mix.
- 1/2 cup candy corn: Adds a festive, Halloween-themed sweetness.
- 1 cup of M&Ms: Provides colorful, chocolatey crunch.
- 1/2 cup Rolo candies: Adds a caramel-filled surprise in every bite.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, peanut butter chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and creamy peanut butter together. Stir frequently until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
- Step 2:
- Once the mixture is melted and smooth, remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Step 3:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the Chex rice cereal. Pour the melted peanut butter chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir until all the cereal pieces are evenly coated.
- Step 4:
- Divide the powdered sugar into two gallon-size ziplock bags. Add the coated cereal to the bags, seal tightly, and shake well until all the cereal pieces are thoroughly coated with powdered sugar.
- Step 5:
- Pour the powdered sugar-coated cereal back into the large mixing bowl. Add the candy corn, M&Ms, and Rolo candies. Toss everything together until evenly mixed.
- Step 6:
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serve the Fall/Halloween Buddy Mix in a large bowl at your next party, or package it in small bags for individual treats.
- This mix can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, making it a great make-ahead snack.
- If you want to add a bit more crunch, consider adding pretzels or nuts to the mix.
- You can easily customize this recipe by using different candies or adding festive sprinkles for extra color and fun.
Helpful Notes
- Be sure to melt the chocolate mixture slowly and stir frequently to prevent burning.
- If you prefer a less sweet mix, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar or substitute with unsweetened cocoa powder for a richer flavor.
- This mix is versatile and can be adjusted to suit any holiday or occasion—just swap out the candies and sprinkles for seasonally themed options!
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Chef Alton Brown: "When making a snack mix like this, always use fresh ingredients to ensure the best texture and flavor."
- Chef Ina Garten: "Adding a pinch of sea salt to the mix can help balance the sweetness and bring out the flavors."
- Chef Rachael Ray: "This is a great recipe to get the kids involved—they’ll love shaking the bags and mixing in the candies!"