The first time I heard “Christmas Trash,” I was baffled, but one bite at a holiday party explained everything. It was a glorious, addictive jumble of sweet, salty, and crunchy, dotted with festive colors. I had to make it myself. In my kitchen, I created little mountains of cereal, pretzels, and nuts on my counter. The moment I poured the melted white chocolate over the top and stirred, coating every piece in a sweet, glossy sheen, the air filled with a sugary, vanilla-like scent. As the M&Ms added their final pop of red and green, I knew I’d created something magical. It’s messy, imperfect, and utterly irresistible—the best kind of holiday “trash.”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You will love this recipe because it is the ultimate no-bake, no-fuss holiday snack that comes together in 15 minutes and pleases absolutely everyone. It’s incredibly forgiving, highly customizable, and makes a huge batch perfect for gifting, parties, or keeping on hand for those constant holiday cravings. It’s the snack mix that disappears faster than any fancy cookie on the platter.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups Corn Chex cereal
- 2 ½ cups Honey Nut Cheerios cereal
- 2 ½ cups mini pretzel twists
- 2 cups salted peanuts
- 2 ½ cups Christmas M&Ms (red and green)
- 12 oz white chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or vegetable shortening)
Let’s talk about the mix-ins. The combination of cereals gives a great variety of shapes and a light sweetness. You can swap for Rice Chex or regular Cheerios. Salted peanuts are crucial—they provide the salty backbone that balances the sweet coating. For the white chocolate, using chips is fine, but adding the coconut oil is non-negotiable. It thins the chocolate for perfect, non-clumpy coating. Trust me, I’ve tried it without, and you get frustrating chocolate clumps. Finally, add the M&Ms after coating; if you add them with the hot chocolate, their colors will bleed.(See the next page below to continue…)