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There are only 6 Fridays until Christmas. Don’t panic like I did when I realized how quickly the season is approaching! For this week I made a crowd-pleasing snack I like to bring to a festive gathering. It’s crunchy, colorful, and addicting!

This recipe originated many years ago before my lovely children got in the way of my social life. JK. My friends and I would get together every week to watch the Bachelor and make treats – shout out to Trista and Ryan! Those were the glory days of TV. We used to call this snack “Fantasy Sweets” as a play on the fantasy suites the couples would stay in on their overnight date! I gave it an updated, more appropriate name for this post.

Life came full circle last night when I made this with my oldest daughter and realized my former “girls’ nights” have been replaced by dinner, homework, packing sports bags, filling water bottles, and falling asleep watching a British crime drama at 9:00. Though life circumstances have changed, I am thankful that I can move through time with people I love and share a long history with.

The directions below are your guideline for making your own Christmas Crunch. Enjoy snacking and gifting this sweet and salty treat!

A sweet and salty snack you can add to any Christmas party spread,

Christmas Crunch

Ingredients:

Chex Mix, Peanuts, Cheerios, M&Ms, Pretzels, and Almond Bark

Combine Ingredients in a Large Mixing Bowl

Melt Chocolate

Melt Chocolate for one minute in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl. Check and attempt to stir. Add back in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring after each one, until chocolate is just melted. Immediately pour over cereal mix.

Spread out to harden

Carefully pour the mixture on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and allow to cool and harden. Once dry, break into pieces and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Christmas party ready

Gifting Ideas

These are a few ideas for gifting Christmas Crunch. The containers are from Target.

FAQ

Can I make this peanut free?

Yes, I would use another crunchy cerael like Kix or Corn Flakes. Popcorn or Skinny Pop would be a great addition.

Where do you find the almond bark?

During the holidays, you can find it in any grocery store in the baking aisle. If it is not Christmas time, I usually find it at Walmart in the baking area. At Target, it looks like this.

Christmas Crunch

by Katie Heath
A sweet and salty party snack fit for any Christmas gathering.
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Time to harden: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
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Equipment

  • 2 large glass bowls
  • 1 wax paper lined baking sheet
  • 1 spatula

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups cherrios
  • 4 cups crispix
  • 2 cups peanuts
  • 2 cups m&ms
  • 2 cups pretzels
  • 1 bar almond white bark, you will use 9 of the 12 squares

Instructions

  • Line a large cookie sheet with wax paper. Set aside.
  • Combine first 5 ingredients in a large glass bowl.
  • In another glass bowl, melt 9 squares of the bark in the microwave for one minute. Attempt to stir and put back in the microwave for 30 second intervals and stir after each one. Watch carefully that the chocolate does not burn.
  • Immediately pour melted chocolate over cereal mixture and gently stir to combine.
  • Pour coated mixture in one layer on cookie sheet and allow to set. Break into chunks after mix is dry.
    The mix can be kept in an airtight container for up to 5 days on the counter.

Notes

Katie’s Tips:
*If you feel the mixture is too dry, melt the final three blocks from the almond bark and pour over mixture and combine. 
*Use any M&Ms you enjoy. I used 1 cup peanut and 1 cup peanut butter.
*Change up the ingredients! This is just a guideline.
*Stock up on the Almond White Bark at the holidays when it is stocked in your local grocery store. I buy 2 or 3 bars at a time to always have some on hand.
*Give this to people as a holiday gift in a festive container.
Made it? Tag @katieskitchencounter on Instagram. I’d love to see!