Growing up, my grandmother always made the best salty, savory, buttery Chex Party Mix at Christmas. And it’s a ridiculously happy memory.
It was always a wonderful journey to my Dad’s parents house at Christmas. My Mom, Dad, and I traveled the hour to get there not singing Christmas carols, but cranking Neil Diamond, ABBA, or Barry Manilow as we drove up the steep hills.
It always seemed like there were a million stars in the sky.
When we got to my grandparents house there were white electric candles in every window that threw shadows on the snow. The cold of the porch met her warm kitchen door where rivulets of condensation rolled down the window. When my parents and I walked into the cozy kitchen grandmother and grandfather fussed over us giving kisses, taking coats, and asking if we wanted something to drink.
And then we’d walk into the living room. In the corner in front of the windows was their tall silver tinsel tree festooned with bright blue lights and bulging below with gifts.
And there, next to the tree were metal gift tins filled with Chex Party Mix.
Oh, happy night! When my Aunt Barb and Uncle Ed would come with my cousin for the festivities, Jan and I would plop on the floor in front of the tree and pop open a tin. And even with the warning that we’d “ruin our dinner,” we really didn’t care. It was Grammy’s Chex Mix!
The combination of cereal with peanuts and pretzels always tasted better out of that tin then any I’ve ever made – even though I follow her recipe.
Maybe because it was made with love? Love for us, love for the holiday?
Either way, over the years my cousin and I inherited that amazing Christmas tree and Grammy’s recipe for Chex Party Mix.
I make the concoction every year at Christmas, and it still looks amazing under the blue holiday lights. My cousin swears I make mine with love too.
Enjoy!
Classic Homemade Chex Party Mix
Ingredients
Classic Homemade Chex Party Mix
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3 cups Corn Chex
- 3 cups Rice Chex
- 3 cups Wheat Chex
- 1 cup mixed nuts or peanuts
- 1 cup mini pretzels
Instructions
- Classic Homemade Chex Party Mix Instructions:
- Preheat oven 250 degrees.
- Melt the butter and seasonings either in a small bowl in the microwave, or in a small pan on the stove.
- Divide the melted butter and the cereal mixture between 2 large, rimmed sheet pans lined with parchment.
- Stir well until the cereal mixture is coated with the butter.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Stir both trays well, reverse their position in the oven, and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Repeat the process twice, for 1 hour baking time total.
- Let cool completely, and store in airtight containers for up to 2 weeks.