Sticky and sweet Chex mix that's perfect for the holidays! Made with Chex cereal, nuts, coconut, and an easy syrup you make on the stove and pour over the cereal. You'll love this easy no-bake Christmas treat.
In an extra large mixing bowl, combine corn Chex, rice Chex, wheat Chex, coconut and pecan halves. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium low heat.
When the butter is melted, add the corn syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar and salt to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once bubbles are forming across the entire surface of the sauce, boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
Pour the syrup over the dry mix and toss gently to evenly coat.
Spread the mix out on parchment paper and allow to cool.
After cooling, break into bite-sized pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
If you prefer to divide the dry mix between 2 large bowls, and split the syrup between the 2 bowls, so that it’s easier to mix, that would be fine. I have also added the syrup to the mix in one bowl, and then, as it gets coated, add more dry mix a little at a time until it’s all incorporated.
The syrup is pretty forgiving. It’s not like a popcorn ball syrup or a rice krispie treat marshmallow mix where you have to work fast before it all starts setting up. It remains soft, even after cooling.
The boiling of the syrup is important. Boiling for 3 minutes heats the syrup to just under the temperature for soft ball stage. This allows the syrup coating to remain soft, but not runny and too sticky; it also gives the mix a pretty shine.
Any nuts or even a mix, can be used. Pecan halves are nice because of their size. Other good choices would be cashews, almonds or peanuts.
Don’t like nuts or making it for someone with a nut allergy? Pretzels are a great substitution for the pecans. And they will achieve that sweet and salty mix. The coconut can be omitted, even though the flavor isn’t overpowering in this recipe.
Salted butter can be used. Omit the additional kosher salt.
As the mixture sits, it tends to stick together, even after being separated. This is normal and it can easily be separated again for easy snacking.