The Ultimate Easy No-Bake Holiday Candy Mix: Your Go-To Festive Treat Recipe
With Christmas just around the corner, the festive spirit is truly in the air! It’s a season of joy, gatherings, and, of course, delicious treats. Before we dive into what might become your new favorite holiday tradition – an absolutely awesome and incredibly easy holiday candy mix – let’s take a moment to celebrate our recent giveaway winner. Your comments were truly heartwarming, and it was wonderful to connect with so many of you, including discovering some of our long-time, quiet readers!
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Mary Ann from the delightful blog Meet Me in the Kitchen!
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Discovering Your New Favorite No-Bake Holiday Treat
Now, let’s talk about the real star of today’s post: this incredible no-bake holiday candy mix. If you’re anything like me – someone who loves delicious homemade goodies but sometimes feels a bit “baking challenged” – then this recipe is an absolute game-changer for your holiday season. It’s shockingly simple, universally loved, and will undoubtedly earn you rave reviews from everyone who tries it. You’ll truly feel like a culinary rock star, even with minimal effort!
I first stumbled upon this magical “recipe” years ago during my very first job after college. We were having a festive holiday potluck, and our brilliant receptionist brought in a batch of this mix. From the very first bite, I was hooked! It was so incredibly good and undeniably addicting. Since that memorable day, it has become a staple in my holiday preparations, making an appearance almost every single year. It’s perfect for gifting, entertaining, or simply enjoying by the handful while watching your favorite holiday movies.
Why This Holiday Candy Mix is Your Go-To Festive Solution
This effortless holiday candy mix offers a multitude of benefits, especially during the often-hectic holiday season. First and foremost, it’s a **no-bake wonder**, which means no oven time, no precise measurements, and minimal clean-up. This frees up your valuable time for other holiday activities. Secondly, its **versatile appeal** ensures that it’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages. The combination of salty, sweet, and crunchy textures creates a harmonious flavor profile that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Furthermore, it’s incredibly **customizable**. While we’ll share the classic combination, you can easily adapt the ingredients to suit different tastes or dietary preferences. Need a nut-free version? Simply omit the peanuts. Want to add more chocolate? Toss in extra M&Ms or other chocolate candies. This flexibility makes it a perfect snack for any holiday gathering, from casual family get-togethers to elegant parties.
Finally, this holiday candy mix excels as a **homemade gift option**. Packaged in festive tins, cellophane bags, or decorative jars, it makes a thoughtful and personal present for friends, teachers, neighbors, or co-workers. It’s a cost-effective way to spread holiday cheer, and the recipients will appreciate the homemade touch far more than anything store-bought.
Pro Tip: As you prepare this incredibly tempting holiday candy mix, I highly recommend chewing gum. Why? Because if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself constantly “quality testing” the ingredients. The savory crunch of the Chinese noodles, in particular, is an irresistible temptation!
Print Recipe
Holiday Candy Mix
Ingredients:
- Pretzel Twists: These provide the perfect salty crunch and a delightful base for the sweet coating. Feel free to use mini pretzels or pretzel sticks if you prefer.
- Peanuts: For an added layer of savory goodness and a satisfying protein boost. I always lean towards lightly salted peanuts to balance the sweetness of the candy.
- Chinese Noodles (Chow Mein Noodles): This is the secret ingredient that adds a unique, airy crispness and a subtly nutty flavor that truly sets this mix apart. Don’t skip these!
- M&M’s: Essential for their vibrant colors and classic chocolatey sweetness. They add a festive visual appeal and a burst of flavor.
- Rice Chex Cereal: Offers another layer of crunchy texture and absorbs the candy coating beautifully. For this particular batch, I playfully substituted Cinnamon Puffins, which worked wonderfully and added a hint of spice! Feel free to experiment with other plain or lightly sweetened cereals like Corn Chex or even Cheerios.
- Almond Bark (Vanilla Flavored): This is your binding agent and the source of the delicious sweet coating. Vanilla almond bark is readily available and melts smoothly, making it ideal for this no-fuss recipe. White chocolate chips or confectionery coating can also be used as alternatives.
Directions:
- Prepare Your Dry Mix: In a very large mixing bowl, combine your pretzel twists, peanuts, Chinese noodles, M&M’s, and cereal. Stir everything gently with a large spoon or spatula to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed. For best results and easier coating, it’s often better to work in smaller batches if you’re making a very large quantity.
- Melt the Almond Bark: Break the vanilla almond bark into smaller squares to facilitate even melting. Place about half of the total almond bark into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Carefully remove from the microwave and stir thoroughly. The bark may not look completely melted yet, but the residual heat will help. Continue to melt in 10-20 second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the almond bark is completely smooth and liquid, with no lumps remaining. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the chocolate to seize.
- Coat the Mix: If working in smaller batches, transfer a portion of your dry ingredient mix into a separate, slightly smaller mixing bowl. Gradually pour a portion of the melted almond bark over the dry mix, adding a little at a time. Using a sturdy wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir very gently but thoroughly until all the ingredients are completely coated with the melted almond bark. The goal is to evenly cover everything without crushing the more delicate components like the noodles.
- Cool and Harden: Once mixed and thoroughly coated, pour the holiday candy mix onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread the mixture flat into an even layer using your spoon or spatula. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the remaining dry mix and almond bark until all your ingredients are coated.
- Set and Break: Allow the coated mixture to dry and harden completely. This usually takes about an hour at room temperature, or you can speed it up by placing the baking sheets in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes. Once fully hardened, break the large slab of candy mix into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
- Quantities & Yield: While I don’t provide exact gram measurements, I can give you a good guideline based on the batch shown. For this particular batch, I used a standard 1 lb bag of pretzels, one bag of Chinese noodles (typically 5-6 oz), about half a bag of M&M’s (a standard large bag), roughly half of a tall jar of peanuts (approximately 8-10 oz), and a few cups of cereal (around 3-4 cups). I also utilized one entire package of vanilla almond bark (usually 24 oz). This generous batch yielded enough to fill five festive tins, making it perfect for gifting!
- Storage: This delightful holiday candy mix stores exceptionally well. Once completely hardened, transfer the pieces to airtight containers. Stored at room temperature, it will remain fresh and crunchy for at least a week, if not longer. For extended freshness, especially in warmer climates, you can store it in the refrigerator.
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We hope you enjoy this easy and delicious holiday candy mix. Have a wonderful and festive weekend filled with joy, good company, and plenty of sweet treats!
This holiday candy mix is more than just a recipe; it’s a tradition in the making. Its simplicity means less stress during an already busy time, and its deliciousness guarantees it will be a welcome addition to any holiday table or gift basket. Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a party, preparing thoughtful homemade gifts, or simply craving a sweet and salty snack, this no-bake wonder delivers every time. Get ready to impress everyone with minimal effort and maximum festive flavor!