Santa Trail Mix

Pintrest– you’ve probably hear of it, and if not you probably live here…

it’s a rock…in case you can’t tell

If you’re not on Pintrest and would like to be then shoot me an email and I will be happy to send you an invite (it’s exclusive like that). I saw a great idea for a Christmas trail mix on that site and I though to myself “self, that is some tasty looking mix! You should make some and add your own jazz and spice to it.” My kids were happy that I had that conversation with myself because it sure is yummy!

Here’s what you will need:
2 cups of red and green M&Ms
1 cup of dry roasted peanuts
1/2 cup of Craisins or other dried fruit
2 cups of Chex cereal (I used the rice version)
Pretzels (holiday shaped ones are best)
Bugles
mini marshmallows
coarse sugar
1 package of red melting discs (candy aisle)
1 package of green melting discs (same aisle)
1 package of white chocolate chips (or almond bark)
Shortening

Assembling the Santa hats, melt your red discs in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval (I added about 2tsp of shortening after the first round to help thin it out a bit). Or you can melt them in a double boiler if you wish too!

Dip your Bugles in the red stuff (tee hee hee) and set aside on a piece of wax paper to dry and harden.

Dip the larger end of the red Bugles in left over red discs or melted white chocolate and then dip immediately in coarse sugar.

Snip the mini marshmallows in half and attach the sticky part to the top of the Bugles. Ta da- you have adorable Santa hats.

Take your holiday pretzel bag and sort out the Christmas tree shaped ones. Melt the green candy discs in the same fashion and dip the trees in it and set aside to harden.

In a large bowl combine your cereal, Craisins, and peanuts. Then spread this mixture out onto a cookie sheet…..cover with melted white chocolate and wait until that sets.

Transfer this to your large bowl and mix in your M&Ms, Christmas trees, and Santa hats! ENJOY!!!