Snowy Mix: An Easy, Delicious Holiday Tradition
Meet the easy holiday treat that’s become our family tradition, and the simple way we turn it into the most personal gifts.
Twenty years ago, my mother-in-law handed me a bowl of the most ridiculously delicious treat, and I've been making it every December since. It's so simple—Snowy Mix takes maybe 10 minutes—but it's become our thing. The tradition my kids actually remember.
Not the perfectly wrapped presents or the matching pajamas (though those are cute). It's this. The taste, the assembly line we form in the kitchen, the way we argue over who gets to lick the spoon.
We make huge batches for neighbors, teachers, babysitters, anyone we love. I package it up in cellophane bags with a Chatbooks print of our family as the gift tag, a little note scribbled on the back. Simple, personal, done.
This Snowy Mix has outlasted every fancy dessert I've ever attempted (and trust me, that Yule Log I made one year was spectacular). It's become our thing. Not because it's impressive, but because it's easy, shareable, and always tastes a little like home.
Here's the truth about holiday baking: you don't need to spend hours in the kitchen to make something people love. This white chocolate snack mix checks every box:
- Quick: 10 minutes of active time, 30 minutes total
- Kid-friendly: Little hands can help mix and package
- Crowd-pleaser: Sweet, salty, crunchy—it's got everything
- Gift-ready: Looks adorable in clear bags with a ribbon
- Allergy-friendly option: Easy to make nut-free
- Lasts: Stays fresh for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container
And honestly? It tastes better than half the fancy treats you'll find at holiday parties. There's something about that sweet-salty combo that keeps people coming back for more.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups Cheerios
- 4 cups rice or corn Chex
- 3 cups small pretzel twists (or pretzel sticks, or the windowpane kind)
- 2 cups roasted salted shelled peanuts (or skip for a nut-free version!)
- 2 cups plain M&M's
- 2 bags white chocolate chips (I love Nestlé—it melts so smoothly!)
Instructions:
- Mix the dry ingredients: Combine the cereals, pretzels, peanuts, and M&M's in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Melt the chocolate: Put the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until completely melted and smooth. (Usually takes 2-3 rounds—don't rush it or the chocolate can seize up.)
- Coat everything: Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. You want every piece to have that white chocolate goodness.
- Let it set: Dump the mixture onto 2 large pieces of parchment paper or foil spread out on your counter. Let it cool and harden completely (about 20-30 minutes).
- Break it up: Once it's dry, break it into chunks and transfer to bags or containers.
That's it. Seriously.
This is where it gets fun and where Chatbooks comes in clutch.
What you'll need:
- Clear cellophane bags (grab them at any craft store or on Amazon)
- Festive ribbon or twine
- Chatbooks prints for gift tags
The process:
- Scoop about 2-3 cups of Snowy Mix into each bag
- Tie with ribbon, leaving enough length to attach your tag
- Order Chatbooks prints of a favorite family photo from the year—I usually pick something candid that makes us laugh
- Hole-punch the corner of the print and tie it on as a gift tag
- Flip it over and scribble a quick note on the back: "Happy Holidays from the Johnsons!" or "Made with love (and a little chaos)"
The photo tag makes it feel so much more personal than a generic card, and people always comment on it. Plus, it's a sneaky way to share your family photo without doing a formal holiday card. Win-win.
Pro tip: Make extra bags. You'll always think of one more person who deserves a gift, and this is the perfect last-minute save.
Make it nut-free: Just skip the peanuts. It's still absolutely delicious and safe for classrooms and people with allergies.
Try different mix-ins:
- Swap M&M's for red and green ones to make it more festive
- Add dried cranberries or white chocolate-covered raisins
- Use dark chocolate chips instead of white for a less sweet version
- Throw in some mini marshmallows after the chocolate sets
Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. (Though honestly, it never lasts that long at our house.)
Double the batch: This recipe disappears fast. I usually make a double batch right from the start—one for gifting, one for us to snack on. Otherwise, the kids eat half before I can even bag it up.
Get the kids involved: This is the perfect recipe for little helpers. They can pour ingredients, stir the mixture (once the chocolate is incorporated), and definitely help with the packaging. My kids fight over who gets to tie the ribbons.
Christmas doesn’t have to be meaningful to be perfect. The matching pjs, the elaborate desserts, the Pinterest-worthy decorations—they're nice, but they're not what your kids will remember.
They'll remember the traditions. The recipes that show up every year. The time you spent together in the kitchen, flour on your nose, chocolate on their fingers.
This Snowy Mix may not win any awards. But it's ours. And twenty years later, it's still the thing my kids ask to make every single December.
That's the stuff that sticks.
You're doing better than you think. The memories being made right now? They're not about perfection. They're about presence. And you're already giving that, even on the days when it doesn't feel like much.
Happy Holidays from our home to yours!
95 Best Yearbook Quotes
65 Sympathy Messages To Use In a Condolence Card
35 Best Parenting Quotes That Perfectly Sum Up Family Life