Description
Valentines Day Snack Mix – Sweet & Salty Blend of Chocolate, Pretzels, & Berries! Perfect treat for celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups mini pretzels
- 2 cups popcorn, plain and popped
- 1½ cups M&Ms in Valentine’s colors (red, pink, white)
- 1 cup dry-roasted lightly salted peanuts
- 12 oz white chocolate, chopped or using quality white chocolate chips
- ½ cup Valentine’s Day sprinkles (heart-shaped or red/pink colors)
- 1 cup conversation heart candies
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (for a tart contrast)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: ½ teaspoon coconut oil (helps thin the chocolate for easier coating)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. This preparation ensures your Valentine’s Day Snack Mix will have space to cool properly without sticking. Measure all your ingredients before starting so everything is ready to go once the chocolate is melted. Having everything organized makes the process smoother, especially since you’ll need to work quickly once the chocolate is ready.
- Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, combine the pretzels, popcorn, and peanuts. Toss gently to mix these base ingredients evenly. The key here is using a bowl with plenty of extra space to allow for thorough mixing without ingredients spilling over the sides. Keep the M&Ms, conversation hearts, and sprinkles separate for now – we’ll add those after melting the chocolate to prevent their colors from bleeding or melting.
- Step 3: Melt the White Chocolate Place your white chocolate and coconut oil (if using) in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals at 50% power, stirring between each interval until about 90% melted. Remove and continue stirring until completely smooth. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine. The chocolate should flow smoothly from your spoon – if it seems too thick, add another ½ teaspoon of coconut oil and stir again.
- Step 4: Coat the Mix Pour the melted white chocolate over your pretzel mixture and fold gently with a spatula, ensuring everything gets evenly coated. Work quickly but carefully to prevent the chocolate from setting before you’re finished. Once coated, immediately add about ¾ of your M&Ms, conversation hearts, and dried cranberries, continuing to fold until incorporated. The residual warmth from the chocolate will slightly soften the candies without fully melting them.
- Step 5: Add Decorative Elements Spread your Valentine’s Day Snack Mix across the prepared baking sheets in an even layer, breaking up any large clumps with your spatula. While still warm and sticky, sprinkle the remaining candies, conversation hearts, and all your Valentine’s Day sprinkles over the top. This ensures these decorative elements are visible and creates that festive Valentine’s Day appearance that makes this mix so special.
- Step 6: Set and Store Allow your Valentine’s Day Snack Mix to cool completely at room temperature for about 1-2 hours until the chocolate has fully set. Once set, break into cluster-sized pieces. Your mix is now ready to serve or package as gifts! For the freshest taste and texture, store in airtight containers or sealed cellophane bags if giving as gifts.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg