I wanted a Thanksgiving version of my Ultimate Christmas Snack Mix, and it started with one swap I couldn’t stop thinking about: cookie butter puppy chow. I tossed it with sweet and salty clusters of Chex, pretzels, and toasted pecans, then added buttery toffee bits, Reese’s Pieces, and broken Biscoff cookies. The Biscoff is my favorite part because you get that spiced cookie flavor in the puppy chow and in big crunchy pieces.
Make it a day or two ahead and set out a bowl while working on the rest of your Thanksgiving menu. If you’re bringing it to someone else’s house, you might want to pack a little extra for yourself.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Rice Chex cereal: Rice Chex is used in both the puppy chow and the white-coated snack mix. It gives the mix plenty of crunch while letting the coatings stick.
- White chocolate: Use a white chocolate baking bar, chopped into small pieces, for the puppy chow coating.
- Cookie butter: Creamy Biscoff cookie butter adds that sweet, spiced cookie flavor. Another brand of creamy cookie butter will also work.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Coats the puppy chow and helps give it the classic powdered finish.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a little extra warmth to the cookie butter coating.
- Corn Chex cereal: Adds another crunchy cereal to the white-coated mix. You can use more Rice Chex if needed.
- Mini pretzel twists: Add a salty crunch to balance the sweet coatings. Pretzel sticks or other small pretzels can also work.
- Pecans: Toasted pecan halves add a nutty crunch. You can use chopped pecans, but keep the pieces large enough to stand out. Walnuts are another option.
- Toffee bits: Use plain toffee bits, not chocolate-covered, for little crunchy bits of buttery sweetness.
- Reese’s Pieces: Add 1 cup for little bites of peanut butter flavor and a pop of color. Their orange, yellow, and brown colors are perfect for fall and make this snack mix feel right at home on your Thanksgiving table!
- White almond bark: Creates the smooth white coating for the cereal, pretzels, pecans, toffee bits, and Reese’s Pieces. White candy melts can also be used. (You can double the amount I used if you want more of the candy coating!)
- Biscoff cookies: Break the cookies into bite-sized pieces so you get a little cookie in each handful. Other crisp spiced cookies can be used, but the flavor will be a little different.
Tips for the Best Thanksgiving Snack Mix
- Use fresh, crunchy cereal: Make sure the Chex cereal and pretzels are fresh so the snack mix has the best crunch.
- Melt the coatings gently: Microwave the white chocolate in short intervals, stirring between each. Follow the package directions for the almond bark to keep it smooth and easy to pour.
- Coat the cereal evenly: Gently fold the melted coatings into the cereal mixtures so the pieces stay as whole as possible. The white almond bark coating will be thin, not thick.
- Let everything set completely: Allow the puppy chow and white-coated snack mix to firm up before mixing them together. The white-coated mix should take about 10 to 20 minutes to set.
- Break the white-coated mix into clusters: Once firm, break it into bite-sized pieces so it is easy to scoop and serve.
- Add the Biscoff cookies last: Fold them in during assembly so the cookies stay chunky and don’t get crushed.
FAQs
Can I make Thanksgiving Snack Mix ahead of time?
Yes! This is a great snack to make a day or two before Thanksgiving. Once all the coatings have completely set, store the mix in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Can I use a different kind of cereal?
Yes. Rice Chex and Corn Chex give the mix a nice crunch, but you can use other Chex varieties. Just keep the total amount of cereal about the same.
Can I leave out the pecans?
Absolutely! You can leave them out or replace them with another nut, such as peanuts or walnuts.
Can I use chocolate-covered toffee bits?
I recommend plain toffee bits for this recipe. The white chocolate and cookie butter already add plenty of sweetness, and plain toffee keeps the flavors balanced.
Why are my snack mix pieces sticking together?
The coatings may not have fully set before mixing everything together. Let both the puppy chow and almond bark-coated snack mix cool completely and firm up before assembling. Break the almond bark-coated mixture into small clusters before adding the other ingredients.
Can I use white chocolate instead of almond bark?
White almond bark is best for coating the cereal, pretzels, pecans, toffee bits, and Reese’s Pieces because it melts smoothly and sets firmly. White candy melts are a good alternative. White chocolate morsels may be softer and take longer to set.
How To Store Thanksgiving Snack Mix
Room Temperature: Once all the coatings have completely set, transfer the snack mix to an airtight container. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week. Keep it away from heat or direct sunlight so the white chocolate and almond bark stay firm.
Freezer: You can freeze the snack mix in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature in the sealed container to help prevent condensation from forming on the coating.
Amanda’s Signature Thanksgiving Snack Mix
Ingredients
Cookie Butter Puppy Chow
- 1 ½ cups (40.5 g) Rice Chex cereal
- 2 ounces white chocolate baking bar, chopped
- ¼ cup (60 g) creamy cookie butter, such as Biscoff
- â…“ cup (42 g) confectioners' sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Sweet and Salty Clusters
- 2 cups (54 g) Rice Chex cereal
- 1 ½ cups (46.5 g) Corn Chex cereal
- 1 cup mini pretzel twists
- 1 cup toasted, lightly salted pecan halves*, see notes
- â…“ cup plain toffee bits, not chocolate-covered
- 1 cup (188 g) Reese's Pieces
- 8 ounces** white almond bark, chopped
Mix-Ins
- 8 Biscoff cookies, broken into bite-sized pieces
Instructions
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cookie Butter Puppy Chow
- Place the 1 ½ cups Rice Chex cereal in a medium bowl.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the white chocolate in 15- to 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
- Add the cookie butter and stir until fully combined. If needed, microwave for another 5 to 10 seconds to make the mixture easier to stir.
- Pour the coating over the cereal. Gently fold with a flexible spatula until evenly coated.
- In a large zip-top bag, combine the confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon. Add the coated cereal, seal, and gently shake and turn the bag until coated.
- Spread the puppy chow onto one prepared baking sheet, separating the pieces. Let set while preparing the remaining mix.
Sweet and Salty Clusters
- In a large bowl, combine the remaining Rice Chex, Corn Chex, pretzels, pecans, toffee bits, and Reese’s Pieces.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the almond bark according to the package directions, stirring frequently until smooth.
- Pour the melted almond bark over the cereal mixture and gently fold until evenly coated. The coating will be thin, rather than a thick layer on each piece. (If you want more almond bark coating, you can add more here. Up to double the amount, 16 ounces total)
- Spread onto the second prepared baking sheet in a relatively thin layer. Let stand until firm, about 10 to 20 minutes.
Assembly
- Break the sweet and salty clusters into small, bite-sized clusters, if needed. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Gently fold in the set puppy chow and broken Biscoff cookies.
- Serve or transfer to an airtight container.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
