Chex mix takes be back to my younger years.
There is something so nostalgic about dumping the heaping mounds of chex mix, pretzels and peanuts together in a big pot and pouring over it the sugary goodness we like to call party mix at our house.
It was one of the first foods I remember stirring in a giant stainless bowl (<which is still essential in this recipe) with a big wooden spoon.
I imagine it today like a commercial in a perfectly decorated warm and cozy Christmas setting. I have my apron on, soft music playing and my mom dancing around the kitchen while my sister and I soak in every moment.
Then I awaken to the reality and more vividly remember the pictures of a traditional early 90’s Christmas. Bring on all of the stretch pants, white washed denim, big sweatshirts a bowl hair cut with big bangs that have yet to be brushed for the day. Oh and the apron forget it, my sister and I were probably shoveling this stuff in our mouths by the handful fighting over who would get to use the prized wooden spoon.
Yes, I obviously live a very “Facebook” worthy life (insert all of the sarcasm).
But even if it wasn’t commercial worthy or “Pinterest” worthy of today there are memories and to me good memories are the most important aspect of life. The one thing we can cherish forever, even if everything else is taken away.
So while some things never change. I also questioned why changing a good thing?
But once I actually saw with my own two eyes the pounds (literally) of sugar the traditional mix of my childhood required I started questioning how I’ve even lived as long as I have.
So I decided for the sake of all of our health, we can still have a good thing but in a good way.
Don’t hate me for this but I did a little reconfiguring and I think you are really going to love it!
But it ONLY uses the sugar substitutes I recommend. Real, raw, unfiltered, straight-from nature sugar. Don’t panic you can grab yourself some without tapping a tree.
It still has that same sweetness, but with a more prominent hint of maple, that brings in all of the feels this time of the year. Of course my sweetener of choice 80% of the time is straight maple syrup and all of its counterparts {aka maple cream and maple sugar}.
The even better news is I’ve found a small family run maple company that is spot on. Yes, they are regulars here on the blog and are one of the best companies I’ve come across. I can’t not tell you that if you buy maple syrup, maple cream or maple sugar you MUST try out Roxbury Mountain Maple.
Roxbury Mountain Maple is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality maple syrup in an ethically, and family centered way. I know, feel all of the feels. I do every time I use it.
So to break it down. Basically you need to make this recipe ASAP. Healthier than any party chex mix recipe I’ve seen and yet still crazy delicious and slightly addictive. Now you can’t say I didn’t warn you.
Before I leave, I want to remind you, that this holiday season instead of trying to count calories, just take a moment to count the memories. They matter more than calories and I can assure you will pay off in the long run.
Cheers to healthier chex mix!
- 3 cups rice chex
- 3 cups puffin cereal (I used gluten-free)
- 2 cups pretzels (I used gluten-free)
- 2 cupsunsweetened large coconut flakes
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup butter (coconut oil)
- ⅔ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
- In a large bowl (I use this stainless steel bowl) add rice chex, puffin cereal, pretzels, unsweetened large coconut flakes, cranberries, nuts. Mix well and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter (or coconut oil) and add maple syrup and molasses.
- Mix over medium heat until boiling, turn down a bit and let boil 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and mix in cinnamon, salt, vanilla and baking soda.
- The baking soda will make the mixture foam and once it has doubled in size pour over chex mix and stir to coat.
- Bake in stainless bowl (or on cookie sheets) for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Lay flat on parchment paper to dry.
- Enjoy!
