The Polar Express Hot Chocolate Chex Mix

This post is sponsored by General Mills, but all opinions are my own.

I know I've talked about this before, but when I think back to the holidays of my childhood, the memories that are most vivid are those involving family traditions. Those fun, festive activities we did together each holiday season felt so magical and full of light, and I knew from the moment my kids were born that I wanted to create memorable holiday traditions for them as well. Thanks to Chex™ cereal from Walmart I was able to do just that.

A couple of years ago, we started a holiday tradition where we make Chex™ Mix (if you're a regular reader here then you're likely well-aware of my affinity for Chex™ Mix) and watch a holiday movie together while we snack on it. This year, I decided we'd take our original Chex™ Mix recipe up a notch and create a sweet, very holiday-themed version inspired by our favorite winter drink (hot chocolate) and one of my favorite holiday movies, The Polar Express™. The kids and I had so much making this together, and the finished product is the perfect holiday movie snack; it's like eating a mug of yummy hot chocolate with the most delicious crunch! It's also a great snack to serve at holiday parties, or to pack up in cute cellophane bags tied with pretty ribbon to give as holiday gifts.

The Polar Express™ Hot Chocolate Chex™ Mix

INGREDIENTS
4 cups Rice Chex™ or Corn Chex™ cereal
4 cups Chocolate Chex™ cereal
1 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup hot cocoa mix
1 bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup white vanilla baking chips
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup semisweet chocolate nonpareils
1/2 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies (optional)


Line 2 large rimmed baking pans with waxed paper. In large bowl, mix cereals. In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and cocoa mix.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave semisweet chocolate chips uncovered on High 45 seconds; stir. Continue microwaving in 15-second increments, stirring after each, until chips are melted and smooth. Pour onto cereal in bowl; mix thoroughly to coat. Transfer mixture to 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag; add powdered sugar mix to bag. Seal bag; shake to coat. Spread in one of the pans to cool completely, about 30 minutes.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave white vanilla baking chips uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir. Continue microwaving in 15-second increments, stirring after each, just until chips are starting to melt and can be stirred smooth. Stir in marshmallows; coat completely. Spread in remaining pan, spreading mini marshmallows into small clusters; let stand about 30 minutes or until coating is set.

In large serving bowl, mix cereal, marshmallow clusters, chocolate nonpareils, and crushed peppermint candy. Store at room temperature in covered container.


TIPS:

• Chocolate nonpareils come in a small and larger size, and either will work in this recipe. (We used the small ones.)
• If melted white vanilla baking chips are too hot, you may need to cool slightly before adding marshmallows to coat.

All of the delicious ingredients in this recipe combine perfectly to create what my daughter has declared to be "the yummiest holiday sweet treat snack ever," but the key ingredients are the Rice Chex™ (or Corn Chex™, if you prefer to use that variety) and the Chocolate Chex™. Rice Chex™ has been one of my favorite cereals since I was a child, and we eat it for breakfast regularly around here. (My kids love the way it tastes. I love that it contains no artificial colors or flavors, no artificial preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup, and is gluten free!) I only recently tried the Chocolate Chex™, but I was an instant fan. I love snacking on it as an after dinner treat, and it can be used for countless dessert recipes. (And like Corn and Rice Chex™, it's free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, contains no high fructose corn syrups, and is also gluten free. Woot!)

As much as we all love eating The Polar Express™ Hot Chocolate Chex™ Mix, the best part is making it together as a family. We put on holiday music, and the four of work together to measure the ingredients, stir and mix and create, and arrange in hot chocolate mugs to eat while we watch The Polar Express™ in our pajamas. It doesn't get much better.

Head to your local Walmart or click here and stock up on Chex™ cereals for all of your holiday snacking needs. Happy holiday snacking and tradition making, friends.

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION, THE POLAR EXPRESS © WBEI. A CHRISTMAS STORY © Turner Ent Co. ELF © New Line Prod. Inc.


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