What’s sweet, salty, and crafted with genuine affection? This delightful XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix is a festive confection, truly sealed with a kiss! Perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply indulging, it’s a treat that captures the heart of the season.
Crafting the Perfect XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix
There’s an undeniable joy in creating holiday snack mixes, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. Each year, I eagerly anticipate wandering the seasonal aisles, seeking out the most charming and delicious sweet and salty nibbles to transform into a unique treat. It’s truly a dream come true to share these creative edible projects with my family and, of course, with you!
The beauty of seasonal treats lies in their ever-changing nature. Every holiday brings a fresh creative challenge, inspiring new combinations of flavors and textures. There’s always something wonderfully yummy and fun to discover! If you’re a fan of festive mixes, you might also enjoy my Valentine Sweetheart Snack Mix from previous years. It’s a tried-and-true recipe that our family absolutely adores and enjoys throughout the entire month of February!
Why You’ll Adore This Valentine’s Snack Mix
This XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix isn’t just another recipe; it’s a celebration of love, friendship, and deliciousness, all rolled into one easy-to-make package. It brings together the irresistible combination of sweet and salty, presented in a symphony of pink, white, and red hues that instantly evoke the spirit of Valentine’s Day.
What makes this snack mix truly special is its versatility and charm. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser for any Valentine’s gathering, from classroom parties to cozy movie nights at home. Plus, it makes for the most thoughtful, homemade gift. Imagine bagging up this colorful mix and surprising your friends, neighbors, or colleagues with a little token of appreciation!
Beyond its festive appeal, this mix is incredibly simple to prepare, requiring no baking and just a few easy steps. It’s the perfect project for a busy schedule or for involving little hands in the kitchen. Get ready to fall in love with its crunch, its melt-in-your-mouth candy coating, and the delightful surprise of each ingredient.
Hunting for Tasty Treasures: My Seasonal Aisle Adventures
My latest trip down the seasonal aisles was particularly fruitful, overflowing with adorable treasures! The result? This year’s XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix turned out absolutely precious, if I do say so myself. Just take a look at my delightful haul!
Finding the perfect blend of ingredients is part of the fun. I always look for items that are not only delicious but also contribute to the overall aesthetic of the mix, featuring the classic Valentine’s colors and shapes. From heart-shaped candies to festive sprinkles, each component plays a crucial role in making this snack mix truly special. Throughout this post, you’ll find links to easily add each ingredient to your shopping cart for quick pick-up or convenient delivery, making your festive prep a breeze.
The blend of sweet and salty, along with the vibrant pink, white, and red palette, creates an irresistible combination. I can hardly wait to dive into making this super cute, super festive mix. So, let’s gather our ingredients and get started!
More Valentine’s Day Recipes You’re Sure to Love
Valentine’s Day offers endless opportunities to create something truly special. Whether you’re planning a fun treat for a school Valentine’s party, an intimate dinner with your sweetheart, or a festive Galentine’s get-together with your best friends, I’ve curated a collection of my favorite Valentine’s Day-inspired recipes that are guaranteed to win hearts and be loved by all. From breakfast delights to savory appetizers and, of course, more sweet treats, there’s something for every celebration.
Essential Ingredients for Your XOXO Valentine’s Mix
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating this enchanting snack mix. I typically find all these festive items in the Valentine’s seasonal section at Target each year. For your convenience, you can click here to easily add all the necessary ingredients directly to your online shopping cart.
- 5 cups Chocolate Chex cereal, divided: This provides a wonderful chocolatey crunch and a sturdy base for the mix. Its squares are perfect for coating.
- 3 cups Very Berry Cheerios, divided: Adding a fruity sweetness and a lighter texture, these cheerios bring a delightful berry flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- 3 cups X and O shaped pretzels, divided: The classic “hugs and kisses” shapes are a must for Valentine’s Day, and their salty crunch perfectly balances the sweetness of the candy and cereal.
- 1 (16 ounce) package vanilla candy coating: This is the magic binder that pulls the mix together, giving it that irresistible sweet, creamy layer.
- 1 (2.1 ounce) container Valentine’s nonpareil sprinkle mix: These tiny, colorful sprinkles add a burst of festive color and a delicate crunch.
- 1 (1.2 ounce) container Valentine’s heart sprinkle mix: Adorable heart-shaped sprinkles are essential for the Valentine’s theme, making the mix visually appealing and extra sweet.
- 1 cup Cupid’s Blend Regular M&M’s: These iconic candies in seasonal colors add a pop of chocolatey goodness and vibrant color.
- 1 cup Valentine’s Peanut M&M’s: For those who love a nutty crunch, these M&M’s add another layer of flavor and texture, specifically chosen for the holiday palette.
- 2 cups X’s & O’s Shaped Frosted Cookies: These charming cookies are the final touch, adding a soft, sweet, and decorative element that completes the XOXO theme.
Crafting Your XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this festive snack mix is incredibly straightforward and fun. Follow these simple steps to bring your XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix to life!
- First, prepare your base. In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of Chocolate Chex cereal, 2 cups of Very Berry Cheerios, and 2 cups of the charming X and O Shaped Pretzels. This forms the foundational crunch and flavor of your mix.
- Next, it’s time to melt the candy coating. Place the vanilla candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl (or simply use the container it came in if suitable). Heat it according to the package directions, which typically takes about 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Make sure to stir the coating every 30 seconds to ensure it melts evenly and becomes perfectly smooth and pourable.
Hot Tip for Melting Candy Coating!
Exercise caution and be sure not to over-melt your candy coating! Overheating can cause it to burn and become extremely thick and difficult to work with, making it impossible to coat your snack mix evenly. The key is to go slowly, stirring diligently every 30 seconds until it reaches a perfectly smooth and liquid consistency. This patience will ensure a beautifully coated and delicious snack mix!
- Once the candy coating is melted and smooth, pour it over the cereal and pretzel mixture in the large bowl. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently toss and fold the ingredients until they are all thoroughly and evenly coated with the vanilla goodness. Every piece should be lightly glazed.
- Spread the coated mixture out into a single, even layer on a sheet of parchment paper. I highly recommend using a rimmed baking sheet for this step, as it helps to contain any stray sprinkles and makes for easier handling.
- Without delay, generously sprinkle both the Valentine’s nonpareil mix and the Valentine’s heart sprinkle mix over the wet candy coating. The sprinkles need to adhere before the coating sets, so work quickly!
- Now for the grand finale! Carefully scatter the remaining 1 cup of Cupid’s Blend Regular M&M’s, 1 cup of Valentine’s Peanut M&M’s, 1 cup of Very Berry Cheerios, 1 cup of Chocolate Chex, 1 cup of X and O shaped pretzels, and the 2 cups of X’s & O’s Shaped Frosted Cookies over the coated and sprinkled mixture. This adds a beautiful array of colors, textures, and flavors.
- Finally, allow the entire mixture to cool completely and set. This will ensure the candy coating hardens and binds all the delicious components together. Once firm, break the mix apart into clusters. Serve immediately and enjoy the sweet and salty symphony!
Discover More Scrumptious Snack Mix Recipes
Whether you’re celebrating holidays and special occasions or simply need some irresistible everyday munchies, my collection of Scrumptious Snack Mix Recipes are deliciously impossible to put down! Featuring sweet, salty, and everything in between, these snack mixes are always a huge hit with everyone who tries them. They are perfect for parties, movie nights, lunchbox treats, or just a delightful pick-me-up throughout the day. Explore the variety and find your next favorite!
How to Store Your XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix
To keep your XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container or a sealed baggie at room temperature. We love to keep an airtight glass jar filled with this delightful mix on our kitchen counter all month long, making it easily accessible for a quick snack.
This mix isn’t just for eating at home; it also makes for a fantastic and thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift! Simply portion it into small bags or decorative boxes, tie them with a festive ribbon, and surprise your friends, teachers, or neighbors with a homemade token of your affection. It’s a gift that truly comes from the heart and is always appreciated.
If you’re inspired to create this heartwarming XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix, I’d absolutely love to see your creations! Be sure to snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @thebakermama. It brings me so much joy to see how creative and inspired you all get with the recipes and ideas I share. Enjoy every sweet and salty bite!
xoxo,
XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix
- Author: The BakerMama
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 25 servings
Description
What’s sweet, salty, and made with 100% true love? This XOXO Valentine’s Day Snack Mix delivers a festive snack that’s sealed with a kiss!
Ingredients
- 5 cups Chocolate Chex cereal, divided
- 3 cups Very Berry Cheerios, divided
- 3 cups X and O shaped pretzels, divided
- 1 (16 ounce) package vanilla candy coating
- 1 (2.1 ounce) container Valentine’s nonpareil sprinkle mix
- 1 (1.2 ounce) container Valentine’s heart sprinkle mix
- 1 cup Cupid’s Blend Regular M&M’s
- 1 cup Valentine’s Peanut M&M’s
- 2 cups X’s & O’s Shaped Frosted Cookies
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 4 cups Chocolate Chex cereal, 2 cups Very Berry Cheerios, and 2 cups X and O shaped pretzels.
- In a microwave-safe bowl (or the container the candy coating comes in), melt the candy coating according to package directions, usually 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Stir every 30 seconds until melted and smooth. Be sure not to over-melt the candy coating as it will burn and become too thick to stir and coat the mix evenly.
- Pour the melted candy coating over the ingredients in the large bowl and toss gently with a large spoon until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture out in an even layer onto parchment paper, ideally on a rimmed baking sheet to contain any stray sprinkles. Immediately sprinkle with the Valentine’s nonpareil sprinkle mix and the Valentine’s heart sprinkle mix.
- Next, scatter the remaining 1 cup Cupid’s Blend Regular M&M’s, 1 cup Valentine’s Peanut M&M’s, 1 cup Very Berry Cheerios, 1 cup Chocolate Chex, 1 cup X and O shaped pretzels, and the 2 cups X’s & O’s shaped frosted cookies over the coated mix.
- Allow the entire mixture to cool completely until the candy coating is set. Break apart into bite-sized clusters and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container or baggie at room temperature for maximum freshness.