A simple sweet-and-salty snack mix made with Golden Grahams, Chex cereal, peanuts, pretzels and M&M’s, all coated in melted white chocolate. This easy no-bake treat is a favorite at Christmastime but can be customized for any holiday or celebration.
Christmas White Trash goes by many names and has countless variations. At its core it’s a mix of crunchy cereals, salty pretzels and nuts, plus candy, all bound together with melted white chocolate — a quick crowd-pleaser during the holidays.
You can easily swap M&M colors and add sprinkles to match any season or celebration. The recipe is forgiving, so use what you have on hand to make a delicious, festive snack.
Because everyone riffs on the basic idea, recipes vary — which is part of the charm and how it earned the playful “trash” nickname. I make mine with a mix of Golden Grahams and Rice Chex for a balance of flavor and crunch.
If you’ve made this before and returned to the recipe, welcome back — I’m glad it’s part of your holiday lineup!
Ingredients
Simple pantry ingredients coated in white chocolate. This is very customizable based on what you have available.
- Golden Grahams — for sweet, toasty flavor and crunchy texture when coated in white chocolate.
- Rice Chex — rice or corn Chex both work well to add light, crispy pieces.
- Pretzels — mini pretzels, pretzel sticks or butter-flavored pretzels are all fine choices.
- Peanuts — salted cocktail peanuts balance the sweetness.
- M&M’s — one cup adds color and candy crunch; pick colors to suit the occasion.
- White Chocolate Chips — use your preferred baking morsels or white baking chips.
- Canola or Vegetable Oil — a small amount mixed into the melted white chocolate improves melting consistency; vegetable shortening may also be used.
How To Make White Trash
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside.
- Combine the dry ingredients — Golden Grahams, Rice Chex, pretzels, peanuts and M&M’s — in a large bowl. Use a tall-sided bowl so the mix doesn’t spill while stirring.
- Place white chocolate chips and a small amount of oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 30 seconds, stir, then heat in 15-second intervals until smooth, stirring between each interval. Be careful not to overheat the white chocolate.
- Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. Spread the coated mix onto the prepared baking sheet and let the chocolate harden. Once set, break into smaller pieces if desired.
Recipe tip: To speed up setting, place the baking sheet in a turned-off oven overnight or leave it covered at room temperature until firm.
Variations
This snack mix is endlessly adaptable — a great way to use up odd boxes of cereal or to match a holiday theme.
- Use different cereals — as long as you end up with about four cups total, mix and match to your liking. Cheerios and Chex are common choices.
- Swap pretzels for popcorn or Bugles for a different salty crunch; these swaps appear often in Midwest-style versions.
- Change or omit the nuts — almonds, cashews or macadamias all work.
- Replace M&M’s with dried fruit for a chewier option.
- Add festive sprinkles for extra holiday flair.
- For an adult twist, use cashews or macadamia nuts and dried cherries or Craisins instead of candy.
Storage & Serving
Storage: Keep the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for at least two weeks.
Gift idea: Portion into cellophane bags or jars tied with a ribbon for a simple neighbor or teacher gift.
📖 Recipe
White Trash Recipe
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Golden Grahams
- 2 cups Rice Chex
- 1 cup Pretzels
- 1 cup Peanuts cocktail
- 1 cup M&M’s
- 12 ounce package White Chocolate Chips
- 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
Instructions
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Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; set aside.
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Combine Golden Grahams, Rice Chex, pretzels, peanuts and M&M’s in a large mixing bowl.
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Place white chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 30 seconds, stir, then heat in 15-second intervals until melted and smooth, stirring between intervals. Avoid overheating the chocolate.
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Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated. Spread on the prepared baking sheet and allow the chocolate to harden before breaking into pieces.
This easy no-bake treat is one of my holiday go-tos because it comes together in about ten minutes (plus cooling time). December gets busy, and this mix is a fast, shareable option for parties, teacher gifts or neighbors.
It’s a crowd favorite and can be adapted for many occasions year-round.
Cheers,
Alaine
More dessert recipes:
- Easy Homemade Brownies
- Cranberry Apple Pie
- Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies
- Ancho Chile Fudge Pie
- Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Christmas White Trash was originally published in February 2023. Pictures updated in November 2024.