Santa Snack Mix

     For Liam's Santa Party I wanted to serve something yummy and festive, so of course I looked on Pinterest and found this awesome recipe for Santa Snack Mix on this great blog, Cookies and Cups.

What you need

Santa Hats

Caramel Bugles

Red Melting disks

Mini marshmallows

White sprinkles (nonpareils)

Mix

3 cups mini pretzels

1/2 cup Crasins

1 cup salted dry roasted peanuts (I didn't add these, some kids had peanut allergies)

2 cups Rice cereal

2 cups holiday colored M&M's

8oz white chocolate for melting

Preparations for the Santa Hats

Melt the red candy melts, along with a tablespoon of shortening (to help thin it out), in 30 second intervals on half power in the microwave until melted. Immediately start dipping the Bugles and let harden up on wax paper for 10 minutes.  When they are set, melt the red candy disk mixture again (if necessary) and dip just the bottoms (the largest part of the Bugle) into the white sprinkles.  Then flip it over and dip the top in the melted candy and press a mini marshmallow on top to make a Santa Hat.

To make the Mix

Spread all your ingredients, EXCEPT M&M'S, out on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper.  Melt the white chocolate according to package directions and drizzle over the pretzel mix.  Transfer into a large bowl and coat mix with chocolate.  Return to baking sheet to allow to dry.  When chocolate is set, sprinkle M&M's and Santa Hats over the mix.  Put in a nice bowl and serve. 

Enjoy!