Delicious Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix: Your Ultimate Holiday Snack!
Indulge in the festive flavors of Cinnamon Chex, generously coated in rich chocolate, lovingly dusted with hot cocoa and powdered sugar, and beautifully garnished with fluffy white chocolate-covered marshmallows. This Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix is a holiday treat you won’t want to miss!
As the holidays approach and the crisp winter air sets in, there’s nothing quite like a comforting, flavor-packed snack to warm your soul. Our Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix is precisely that – a delightful fusion of rich chocolate and aromatic cinnamon that evokes the beloved taste of authentic Mexican hot chocolate. If you’re a fan of this unique spice and chocolate combination, this festive snack mix is absolutely perfect for you and your loved ones!
The holiday season often kicks off right after Thanksgiving, marked by the exciting rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, followed by the joyous tradition of holiday baking. Many of us eagerly start planning our seasonal treats, especially those delicious recipes that can be prepared in advance and stored in the freezer, making the busy weeks ahead a little less stressful. Amidst all the shopping and preparations, having a go-to snack recipe like this Chex Mix is a true lifesaver.
Speaking of holiday cheer, remember the excitement of online shopping deals? We’ve hosted many festive giveaways in the past, offering delightful gifts like Amazon Gift Cards to add extra sparkle to your celebrations. While the specific $175 Amazon Gift Card giveaway mentioned here was a special event from 2019, it highlights the spirit of giving and the joy of sharing delicious recipes during the most wonderful time of the year. Keep an eye out for future opportunities to win and celebrate!
Why Snack Mixes Are a Holiday Must-Have
While holiday cookie platters are a cherished tradition, don’t limit yourself to just cookies! Adding a variety of snack mixes can elevate your festive spread, offering different textures and flavor profiles that cater to every palate. For years, I enjoyed hosting a grand cookie exchange with my girlfriends. Although life eventually got too busy for that annual event, I always found creative ways to share my homemade treats.
One memorable year, I prepared my famous Crispix Snack Mix and presented it in beautifully decorated Pringles cans as gifts at the cookie exchange. It was a huge hit and incredibly adorable! Back then, I had more time for crafty endeavors before dedicating myself to blogging full-time. These days, with 60-hour work weeks, I lean towards recipes that are both impressive and efficient, like my Never Fail Fudge or Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, which allow me to stretch my efforts further without compromising on taste or quality. Snack mixes, especially simple and quick ones like this Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix, fit perfectly into this philosophy, making holiday entertaining and gifting a breeze.
A Sweet Surprise: The Inspiration Behind This Recipe
Sometimes, the best recipe ideas come from the most unexpected places. I recall a particular week when I visited my P.O. Box, anticipating the usual stack of mundane mail. To my surprise, I found a slip indicating I needed to sign for a package – a rare occurrence for my P.O. Box, which usually only receives bills or the occasional misdirected letter. I was genuinely perplexed, wondering what could possibly be inside.
Upon opening it, I discovered a delightful box of goodies from Chex Cereal! It was brimming with inspiration for creating various Chex Mixes, all centered around a “Christmas Movie Theme.” One particular idea caught my eye: a “Polar Express Hot Chocolate Chex Mix.” This festive concept immediately sparked an idea. With the included box of Cinnamon Chex Cereal, it was the perfect opportunity to create my own unique twist – the Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix. The warm, spicy notes of cinnamon paired with rich chocolate were an instant match for the classic Mexican hot chocolate flavor profile, and I knew it would be an incredible addition to my holiday snack repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix
Crafting this delightful Chex mix requires a harmonious blend of simple yet flavorful ingredients:
- Cinnamon Chex Cereal: The ideal crunchy base, providing a subtle hint of cinnamon from the start.
- Powdered Sugar: Essential for coating the cereal and giving it that signature “snow-dusted” look and sweet finish, characteristic of a classic Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies.
- Hot Cocoa Mix: Infuses the mix with deep chocolate flavor and a touch of sweetness, enhancing the “hot chocolate” experience.
- Ground Cinnamon: This is the star spice, crucial for achieving the authentic warm and zesty notes of Mexican hot chocolate.
- Miniature Marshmallows: Adds a delightful chewiness and soft texture, mimicking the marshmallows floating in a mug of hot cocoa.
- White Chocolate Chips: Used to coat the marshmallows, providing a creamy, sweet contrast and an appealing visual element.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Forms the primary chocolate coating for the Chex cereal, delivering a rich and satisfying chocolate flavor.
The Art of Making Powdered Sugar-Coated Chex Mix (Puppy Chow / Muddy Buddies)
If you’ve ever made Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies, you know just how incredibly simple and satisfying this type of snack mix can be. The process involves coating cereal in melted chocolate, then shaking it vigorously with a powdered sugar mixture to create a deliciously messy and irresistible treat. This Mexican Hot Chocolate version follows that easy, tried-and-true method, ensuring a foolproof recipe every time.
The first step involves combining your dry ingredients. Take a large bowl and add your Cinnamon Chex cereal. In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the ground cinnamon, hot cocoa mix, and powdered sugar until well combined. This mixture is what will give your Chex mix its distinctive flavor and powdery coating.
Next, it’s time for the chocolate. Gently melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips, either in a microwave-safe bowl (stirring every 30 seconds to prevent burning) or over a double boiler until smooth and glossy. Once melted, pour this luscious chocolate over your Cinnamon Chex cereal. Stir carefully but thoroughly, ensuring every piece of cereal is beautifully coated in chocolate. For the next step, transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into a large, two-gallon Ziploc bag. Add the powdered sugar mixture to the bag, seal it tightly, and shake vigorously. This is where the magic happens, as the powdered mixture adheres to the chocolate, creating that iconic, irresistible outer coating.
After shaking, spread the coated Chex mix evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This allows it to cool and set, preventing it from clumping together. While the Chex mix is setting, you can prepare the marshmallow garnish.
In another small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips in short intervals, stirring until smooth. Once melted, gently stir the miniature marshmallows into the white chocolate, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. This creates beautiful, snow-capped marshmallow pieces that add a wonderful textural element and visual appeal to your snack mix.
Spread the chocolate-covered marshmallows onto a separate baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow them to set for about 30 minutes, or until the white chocolate is firm. Once set, gently break them apart if necessary and stir them into your prepared Chex cereal mixture. The combination of crispy cereal, rich chocolate, spiced powder, and soft marshmallows creates a truly irresistible snack that embodies the spirit of Mexican hot chocolate.
This Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix is incredibly versatile. It’s ideal for casual snacking during cozy winter evenings, perfect for sharing during holiday movie marathons, and makes for a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift for friends, family, and neighbors. Its unique flavor profile is sure to stand out among traditional holiday treats!
Past Holiday Giveaway Fun (Ended 12/16/2019)
As a way to spread holiday cheer and thank our wonderful community, we proudly partnered with several amazing bloggers in 2019 for a special Holiday Giveaway. One fortunate winner received a $175 Amazon Gift Card, just in time to help with their holiday shopping or to treat themselves!
This giveaway was generously brought to you by:
- An Affair From the Heart
- As For Me and My Homestead
- Bowl Me Over
- Coffee With Us Three
- Ever After in the Woods
- Everyday Eileen
- Intelligent Domestications
- Juggling Act Mama
- Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Lazy Budget Chef
- Life Currents
- Mandatory Mooch
- Simple and Savory
- Simply Blended Smoothies
- Terri Steffes
- Walking on Sunshine Recipes
$175 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway (Information from 2019)
Official Rules and Conditions (for the 2019 giveaway): One winner received a $175 Amazon Gift Card. The giveaway was open to US residents 18+. One (1) winner was chosen. The prize had to be claimed within 48 hours of announcement or a new winner would be drawn. All entries were verified. This giveaway was in no way associated with Amazon, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Rafflecopter, or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The giveaway ended on 12/16/2019. The prize was delivered electronically.
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^Love this recipe? Pin it for later!^
If this Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix sounds like a treat you’re eager to try, be sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board before you go! You’ll be glad you did when you’re looking for that perfect holiday snack idea or a unique party favor.
We hope you truly enjoy making and sharing this delightful Chex mix! It’s a fantastic way to bring a little extra warmth and spice to your holiday season.
More Festive Holiday Snack Mix Recipes to Explore:
If you’re anything like us, one amazing snack mix leads to a craving for more! Here are some other fantastic recipes to keep your holiday snacking and gifting exciting:
- Winter Wonderland Snack Mix: A magical blend of sweet and festive flavors perfect for a snowy day.
- Coconut Muddy Buddies: A tropical twist on the classic, offering a delightful coconut flavor.
- White Trash Mix: A beloved crunchy, sweet, and salty combination that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Lemonade Chex Mix: A bright and zesty option that stands out with its refreshing citrus kick.
- Cake Batter Puppy Chow: Celebrate any occasion with this fun and colorful cake batter-flavored treat.
- Double Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow: The ultimate festive indulgence, combining rich chocolate with cool peppermint for a truly holiday feel.
Now, let’s dive into the full recipe for this irresistible Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix!
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Print Recipe
Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce box Cinnamon Chex cereal
- 1/2 cup hot cocoa mix
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 2 cup miniature marshmallows
Instructions
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Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup much easier. Set aside.
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In a large, sturdy bowl, add your Cinnamon Chex cereal. In a separate, smaller bowl, thoroughly mix together the ground cinnamon, hot cocoa mix, and powdered sugar. Ensure there are no lumps in the dry mixture. Set this aside.
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In a microwave-safe dish, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat. Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the Cinnamon Chex cereal in the large bowl and stir gently with a spatula until all pieces of cereal are well coated. Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into a two-gallon Ziploc bag. Dump the prepared powdered sugar mixture into the bag. Seal the bag closed, making sure there’s some air inside, and shake vigorously for 2-3 minutes until the cereal is thoroughly coated with the powdered mixture.
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Spread the coated Chex mix out in a single layer on one of the parchment paper-covered cookie sheets. Allow it to cool and set slightly while you prepare the marshmallows.
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In another small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips. Microwave for 30 seconds initially, then in 15-second increments, stirring after each, until the white chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Add the miniature marshmallows to the melted white chocolate and stir until they are completely coated.
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Spread the white chocolate-covered marshmallows onto the second parchment paper-covered cookie sheet in a single layer. Let them set at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm. Once set, you can gently break apart any marshmallows that have stuck together and stir them into the Chex cereal mixture.
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For an extra festive touch, sprinkle with holiday sprinkles before the chocolate fully sets.
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Store your finished Mexican Hot Chocolate Chex Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for extended freshness.