Pick Your Party Snack Mix

I feel like most moms probably already stock an endless supply of cereal and pretzels, so this sweet and salty mix comes together with very little planning. You can whip it up in about 10 minutes flat and easily customize it to celebrate any holiday (hello Valentine’s Day M & Ms).  It's quick, festive, and makes a great last-minute gift tied up with a piece of ribbon. Today I made a batch for V-Day and felt totally put together as I bagged some up for my kids' bus drivers just because. It's an inexpensive way to make someone feel special.

Pick-Your-Party Snack Mix

3 cups crushed pretzels

3 cups Cheerios

3 cups Chex mix

1 cup peanuts or other nuts

2 cups small candy, such as M & Ms

1 12oz bag white chocolate chips

1 ½ Tbsp vegetable oil or coconut oil

Mix the pretzels, cereals, nuts, and candy in a large bowl.  Stir the white chocolate chips together with the vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave on high at 15 second intervals, stirring well each time until the chips are just melted (it should take about a minute).  Pour the melted chocolate into the large bowl and mix everything well. Spread onto a cookie sheet to let cool for a few minutes. Break apart and enjoy!

M & Ms come in every color, for every holiday, so they are your friends here in terms of decking out your mix to match the occasion. But don’t be afraid to swap some ingredients out! Think Lucky Charms cereal for St. Patrick’s day instead of Cheerios, Reese’s Pieces and candy corn for Halloween, mini marshmallows and broken candy canes for Christmas. You can even choose colored candies to match school colors or team colors, substitute crackers or even chips for some of the salty components, you name it. Fun pickins.

The gentle art of gastronomy is a friendly one. It hurdles the language barrier, makes friends among civilized people, and warms the heart.

– Samuel Chamberlain