Just for fun, we are kicking off December with some easy DIY food ideas for holiday gift giving.
First up are Chex Mixes. There is something for everyone when it comes to Chex Mix recipes. You can go for a classic mix, make a sweet version, or spice it up for something different. Here are a few of our favorites for the holidays!
This version of Chex Mix is a huge hit in our house. This is very similar to regular Chex Mix, but with the addition of furikake this becomes a very “Hawaiian” mix. If you've never had it before - it is a combination of sweet & salty. We usually double or even triple the recipe to make sure we have enough to gift neighbors, friends, teachers, co-workers, mail carriers, trash collectors … and still have enough “leftovers” for us to devour.
This version is also great because there this is no one “correct” recipe! There is a basic recipe that you can then make your own by adding more ingredients, more of your favorite items, or less of others.
Ingredients
1 box of Crispix*
1 box of Corn Chex*
1 box of Honeycomb Cereal
1 bag (any size) of Bugles
1 bag (any size or shape) pretzels**
*we usually just replace the Crispix and Corn Chex with two boxes of Rice Chex
**we use the goldfish pretzels
***we also add in a bag of Japanese rice crackers (stars or nori maki - the seaweed wrapped ones)
For the Glaze
1 cup unsalted butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
¼ cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
½ cup nori goma furikake
Directions
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Mix all the dry ingredients (except furikake, save that for the end) and divide between two large baking pans and set aside
For the glaze: on the stovetop - melt butter, add sugar and stir until dissolved, add corn syrup, vegetable oil and soy sauce. Mix until well combined.
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the mixed dry ingredients and stir until all pieces are coated.
Sprinkle the furikake and then mix until evenly coated.
Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour, stirring the pans every 15 minutes.
Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
For anyone that loves peppermint hot cocoa, peppermint bark… this sweet mix from Tasty is hits the spot. It only uses 7 ingredients and no baking! When you're done mixing, you are left with a minty, chocolatey blend that is easy as pie (MUCH easier than pie) to make.
This recipe from I Heart Naptime is another no-bake recipe with only 5 ingredients. Super easy and a huge crowd pleaser! The result is a sweet and salty white chocolate chex mix. If this recipe looks familiar, you may have seen it under it's other name, Christmas crack chex!
Coconut and nuts!! This one from Shugary Sweets is also a no-bake sweet mix that makes a great holiday gift. The syrup used in this recipe is extremely forgiving - even if the pieces stick together, you can break them apart and enjoy.
This one adds a South Asian spice blend that is a little salty, a little spicy and a little tart. This chaat masala version from Serious Eats is definitely worth a try. They provide the template and you can mix and match your favorite cereals and snacks.
These Chex Mixes make terrific gifts for the holidays. Pack it up in a Mason jar and tie it with a bow a thoughtful homemade food gift. Making these is also a great holiday activity to do with your kids.
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