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And it is Christmas Eve!!
Personally, I am just a tad sad.
My very favorite time of year if almost over and it seems like Thanksgiving was just yesterday. I think the month of December needs to be like a whole sixty days and not just thirty-one. Really, the Christmas holiday deserves a whole two months of celebration in my opinion.
So this is the last of my mom’s recipes.
She only has a handful of recipes, and I’ve already shared three. Maybe next year I will share possibly one of my very favorite things she makes. We only have it once a year and it is amazing. And yes, it is totally all about chocolate and a little booze too. What? Yep, booze in Christmas desserts are a must.
Right now though we are talkin’ Mom’s Secret Christmas Eve Chex Mix. In our family, this too, is only made on Christmas Eve. You walk in the house, take a deep breath and you know right away it’s Christmas Eve at the Gerard’s. It’s one of the best smells ever.
I have to say, it was really weird making this before Christmas. It felt totally wrong and I will probably never do it again. Chex mix is a Christmas Eve only thing around here, and you better bet I will be making another double batch today.
Just gotta have that smell and something to munch on all night.
So, Mom’s recipe is really not a secret, it is just smart.
Basically, she added more of the good stuff. You know, the stuff everybody always picks for. The pretzels, bagel chips and nuts. And then the most important thing she upped? The butter and seasonings. Yup, she is pretty smart.
Gotta have lots of butter on Christmas. Well, really just lots of everything good on Christmas!
Also, Mom has always baked her chex mix in the oven.
Seriously, do not try to make this in the microwave. Eww, that is just not good. Go for the oven.
Nothing is better than chex mix baking in the oven, the Christmas music + movies going and people just about everywhere! Mom and I in the kitchen, the brothers hanging around eating, the brother’s friend joining them and the cousins telling stories and just plain making thing so much better!
Mom’s Secret Christmas Eve Chex Mix.
Servings: 12 Cups
Calories Per Serving: 212 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 cups corn chex
- 3 cups rice chex
- 2 cups whole wheat chex
- 2 cups mixed nuts
- 2 cups bite-size pretzels
- 2 cups garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular bagel chips
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.2. In large bowl, mix the chex cereals, mixed nuts, pretzels and bagel chips. Set aside.3. Melt the butter in a bowl and mix in the worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder and a good pinch of pepper. Pour the butter over the cereal mixture, tossing well for 3-5 minutes or until the cereal mixture is evenly coated.4. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes (or just start eating!!). Store in airtight container.
Merry Christmas Eve!! It is my favorite night of the year!! 🙂
Oh, and I almost forgot to announce the winner of the KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway. First, can I just say I was BLOWN AWAY by the incredible comments you guys left. WOW! Pretty much every comment was not about a gift for you, it was about making your family happy, healthy and together for the holidays. I read every single comment and really, you guys that is what Christmas is about. Family, happiness and being together. I am simply in awe of all of you! Ok and the winner is Kortnie Madison-King! Congrats!! Shoot me an email as soon as possible (like by Thursday night)!
This post was originally published on December 24, 2013
This recipe looks amazing. I’ve read through the comments and I am going to print this one off 🙂 I am going to make some chex mix for my Gilmore Girls revival watching next weekend 🙂 and some to bring to work. So can’t wait !!! and bagel chips????? This is pure genius.
I am go glad I came across this thread 🙂 thank you
Ah that sounds so perfect! I hope you and your friends love this one Anj! Thank you!
It’s funny, because pretzels are considered the not-so-good stuff at my house… They never seem to soak up enough flavor! Otherwise, your mom and I have the same secret recipe! I always double (or even triple!) the butter and spices! It’s so bland if you follow the recipe. This one is a Christmas tradition around my family get-togethers too!
Ah, the pretzels are A must in our family! So funny we have similar tradition!
I just made this and had my doubts that it would get crispy. However, being more patient, I let it bake for the suggested time and it is crispy, buttery and WONDERFUL! Thanks for this great snack recipe.
I make mine the same way. More butter, more seasoning, and more of the good stuff. Grandmothers know best!
late to the party but looking at this for a large gathering this weekend…do you know how long this would stay fresh in an airtight container? I want to bake ahead of time but don’t want to sacrifice the awesomeness. thanks!
Hi!! I think this is best within two days of making. Hope you love the recipe!
Oh, and by the way, store it in Ziplocs and it lasts a long time. It’s never stale before we run out.
Tieghan, your mom’s secret recipe has become a family favorite .. soon to be a tradition! I’ve baked this chex mix numerous times over the past year (I know, a sacrilege from your Christmas Eve tradition) because family and friends keep asking me to bring a bowl! Yesterday it was on my Thanksgiving tasting table and because of the ratio, people take spoonfuls rather than ‘picking through’ the mix. Hazelnuts, almonds, and Planter’s honey roasted peanuts are my favorite ‘mixed nuts’. Best to your mom!
SO happy you are loving this recipe, thank you!! Love your mixed nuts combo!! Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!
Tieghan – I see that this string is almost two years old but I just came across the recipe today (June, 2015). The recipe looks delicious – I love the idea of adding more of the good stuff. I am anxious to try it to bring to the cottage for our family vacation.
One thing, though…I was surprised no one has let you know that in your instructions it says 2 1/1 sticks of butter (instead of 2 1/2) and there is no mention of adding the Worcestershire sauce. Just thought you might like to know. Thx.
Hey Barb!!
Thanks for letting me know about those mistakes, I will fix them. Also, I hope you all love the chex mix!
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I’m so glad I found this recipe. This was a holiday staple in my home as a child and never really knew how my mom made it. All I know is that I loved it. Will be making this as a weekend snack for movies as well as the holidays!
when I make my chex mix I add cashews,and cheese fishys, and it turns out great.
…rhat’s of lot of boxes of cereal to buy…
Just made this in time to watch Super Bowl 49. The recipe is perfect as written. Thank you for posting this recipe.
Yikes!
Original Chex Mix recipe calls for 6 Tablespoons butter.
You use 20 Tablespoons!!
Yes it was way to much butter. Mine didn’t turn out 🙁 The original recipe for chex mix only calls for 6 tbsp. I wish i would have seen your comment. Wasted food 🙁
So sorry you had trouble Krissy!!
I was so looking forward to this! Unfortunately there was sooooooo much butter that it all turned out soggy. Why so much butter!? Honestly, my fault for not halving it when I saw it. The rest is great I would suggest half of what is called for with the butter at the very most. I now will start all over with the leftover cereal.
Hi!
I am so sorry the first batch turned out too soggy for you! I hope the next one turns out great! Thank you!
I make this all the time with just rice chex (that’s the only thing I ever go for in the store bought version lol!) My mom also used to make this around Christmas but I have taken to making it quite frequently. My mom used to make it in the oven but I actually make it in the microwave. Not only is it much quicker, but, call me strange, but I actually really like the pieces that get kind of soft haha! Every time I’ve made it in the oven it’s almost TOO crunchy and it tastes slightly burnt. I am in Colorado though so the altitude could have something to do with it (cooking here can often be a pain in the you know where!)
Question – Do you bake it in the bowl or spread it out on a baking sheet? Thanks!
Spread it out on a cookie sheet. Hope you love this!