Ingredients:

  • 9 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex Cereal
  • 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips (180 g)
  • ½ cup Creamy peanut butter (120 g)
  • ¼ cup Unsalted butter, cubed (55 g)
  • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon Fine sea salt
  • 2 cups Icing sugar (powdered sugar) (240 g)
  • 1 cup Small mini-pretzel twists (150 g)
  • ½ cup Red and green plain chocolate M&Ms or similar candy (75 g)
  • 2 tablespoons Festive holiday sprinkles (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Place the 9 cups of Chex cereal into an extra-large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and cubed butter. Microwave on medium power (50-70%) for 60 seconds. Stir well. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly, until the mixture is smooth and completely melted with no lumps remaining.
  3. Stir in the vanilla extract and the pinch of salt until fully incorporated into the chocolate coating.
  4. Immediately pour the entire chocolate mixture over the prepared cereal base. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the cereal into the chocolate coating. Work quickly and lightly to avoid crushing the squares, continuing until the cereal is evenly coated (aiming for 80-90% coverage).
  5. Pour the 2 cups of icing sugar into a large, heavy-duty sealable plastic bag. Carefully transfer the warm, chocolate-coated cereal into the bag. Seal the bag tightly, ensuring air is expelled.
  6. Shake the bag vigorously for 1–2 minutes, using a gentle tumbling motion, until the cereal is completely coated in a thick, white layer of icing sugar.
  7. Pour the coated chow onto a large sheet of parchment paper or into a shallow baking tray. Allow it to cool and set completely at room temperature for at least 45 minutes, or briefly in the fridge (about 20 minutes). This is crucial for setting the coating.
  8. Once the chow is set and cool, transfer it back to a large bowl. Gently stir in the mini pretzels, red and green M&Ms, and optional sprinkles. Break up any large clumps before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.