The holidays roll around and so do the requests for my World Famous Chex Party Mix. Even though I realize it is World Famous only because I am willing to make it, I’ve decided to divulge–right here on The Daily Grace–my biggest Traditional Chex Party Mix making secrets.
Here goes, and this first one is a big one:
FOLLOW THE RECIPE ON THE BOX.
Except for this.
ADD A GOOD POUR OF CHEERIOS.
And except for this:
A little less Wheat Chex, because that box doesn’t go as far. And also because people really don’t like the Wheat Chex in there all that much. (Except for Alex, who swears they’re his favorite.)
And except for this:
ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE BUTTER THAN IT CALLS FOR. I’d say PLUS two tablespoons or so, because how can more butter be bad? AND AN EXTRA DASH OF WORCESTERSHIRE just because that seems right. And maybe a tad more season salt? If you’re feeling it? (Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.) But don’t add more garlic powder or onion powder. That makes it too powdery, somehow.
And this:
I don’t typically use pita chips because those suckers are expensive. I do use good mixed nuts but mess around with the amount depending on if I found them on sale. (Keep an eye out for December discounts on all the ingredients–this can be a big help when you need some volume.)
Also, and this is key:
DO NOT MAKE PARTY MIX IN THE MICROWAVE AS THAT IS AN ABOMINATION AND THE EIGHTH DEADLY SIN.
Make it the way God intended, baked in the oven, low and slow at 250 degrees. Stir every 15 minutes or whenever you remember to, for an hour or maybe an hour +10 minutes.
DO NOT LET IT BURN. DO let it almost start to brown, thus the +/- 10 minutes.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- When you get to the bottom of the cereal bag, do not use the crumbly dregs. They soak up the yummy butter and seasonings and throw off the whole ratio.
- Make way more than you think you need. I plan in batches of boxes. By that I mean–one box each of wheat, rice, and corn chex, and part of a box of cheerios (plus the other stuff) will make four batches. You’ll want at least that much to not have to worry about the 10,000 sneaked bites that start the moment the Chex Mix aroma hits your home’s airwaves. Plus you’ll want plenty to share with friends, as hostess gifts, at the office.
- And for Christmas morning. We always, always have Party Mix to snack on when we open presents Christmas morning. (Now that I write it down that seems a little strange. Nevertheless.)
It’s what Mom did!
XXOO
*Similarly, please note I am 100% sure bows go at the top of a wreath. I know this because years ago, my mother corrected me on my bow-at-the-bottom hanging methodology. I asked (rather impertinently) how she knew a bow should go at the top. With no hesitation she responded:
“Because Mother said so.”
Oh yes, I do believe!
CATHY’S WORLD FAMOUS CHEX PARTY MIX, BASED ON POSEY’S
3 cups of Corn Chex
3 cups of Rice Chex
2-2.5 cups Wheat Chex
1 cup (ish) of pretzel thins, broken in half, or maybe a half cup, however much you want
1 cup (more or less) of mixed nuts
1 cup bite size bagel chips, broken into bite-size pieces (i usually omit this, although they’re a nice addition)
6 tablespoons butter, plus 1 more for good measure
2 tablespoons worchestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3/4 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips in a big ol’ bowl.
Melt butter, then mix in worchestershire sauce and seasonings.
Toss with cereal mixture. DO THIS GENTLY BUT INSISTENTLY.
Spread on a big roasting pan (I use the one that came with my oven. I like those tall sides.) and bake for 1 hour stirring every 15 or 20 minutes. Then I usually go another 10 minutes or so to be sure it is just getting golden brown. But you have to watch it–you do not want it to burn.
Cool, share and enjoy. And when people say, “This is the best Party Mix ever!”, just give them a big, knowing smile. It is the recipe on the box, after all, with a few secret adjustments.
🙂
30 Days of Joy
i was looking for a good recipe!!! Thanks!
Merry Christmas Dear Friend!!!
My recipe: invite myself over to this Happy Holiday Home and have unlimited access. Oh wait, I did that?
Mom made the best ever. I’m going to try a batch on the smoker. Thanks for the memory.
do let me know how that goes! love you, brother.
Not surprisingly, I am in total agreement with Posey on wreath bow placement! Old school…
I see nuts in the mix but not on the ingredients list. How much of each, or do you used mixed nuts?
Yikes! Just added it (thanks for catching that)! About a cup, more or less, of mixed nuts.
My recipe: Invite Cathy over and ask her to pretty please bring a batch of her Party Mix…
Love this plan!