A recipe for white trash consisting of Golden Grahams, Chex cereal, peanuts, pretzels, and chocolate candy M&M's coated in melted white chocolate. This sweet and salty snack mix is popular around Christmas but can easily be customized for any holiday!
Christmas White Trash has many different names and variations. It is a popular candy made with a mixture of cereals, pretzels, peanuts and candy coated in melted white chocolate to make around the holiday season.
The white chocolate snack mix can be customized with different colored M&M's and sprinkles for various holidays and special occasions throughout the year.
One thing about white trash (aka. Christmas crack), is that everyone's recipe is a little bit different. That's where it gets the "trash" name from - you combine things you have left such as a little of this cereal, a little of that, something salty, some nuts and top it with melted white chocolate.
I make my white trash candy with a combination of Golden Grahams and Chex cereal.
If you made this last Christmas and are returning to make it again, I want to welcome you back! It is truly an honor to be a small part of your holiday.
Ingredients
Simple ingredients tossed with white chocolate chips. Very customizable based on what you have in your pantry.
- Golden Grahams - I love the flavor and crunch of the cereal coated in creamy white chocolate.
- Rice Chex - Rice or corn Chex will work.
- Pretzels - You can use mini pretzels, pretzels sticks or butter flavored pretzels.
- Peanuts - Salted cocktail peanuts to balance the sweetness.
- M&M's - One cup of M&M's adds a pop of festive color that can be customized to each holiday.
- White Chocolate Chips - I have made these with Nestle Toll House Premier White Baking Morsels and Ghirardelli white baking chips. Both worked great.
- Canola Oil - A little oil mixed in with the white chocolate chips helps it to have a better consistency as it melts. You can also use vegetable shortening such as Crisco.
How To Make White Trash
- Place parchment paper (or wax paper) on a large cookie sheet, set aside.
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make sure the sides of the mixing bowl are tall enough so that the snack mix does not fall out when you stir it.
- Combine white chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir and then microwave at 15 second intervals until melted.
- Pour melted white chocolate over cereal mixture. Stir until evenly coated. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely. If desired, break into smaller pieces once white trash has cooled.
Recipe Tip: I like to place the baking sheet of white trash in an empty oven (turned off) overnight to let it harden. You can also cover it with plastic wrap and leave it on the counter at room temperature.
Variations
White Trash can be customized in so many ways - a great way to use up the random boxes of cereal that you have left in your pantry.
- Use different cereals. As long as you use four cups total of cereal you can customize with what you have. Cheerio's and Chex seem to be some of the most commonly used cereals.
- Swap the pretzels for another salty treat such as popcorn or bugles. Those ingredients seem to be more common in recipes originating from the Midwest.
- Use a different nut or omit all together.
- Swap M&M's with dried fruit.
- Add holiday sprinkles for extra Christmas cheer!
- For a more adult version, swap the peanut for cashews or macadamia nuts and the M&M's for Craisins or dried cherries.
Storage & Serving
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature. White Trash Snack Mix will last for at least two weeks.
Gift Idea: It makes a great small gift to share. Package it in a cellophane gift bags or jars with a festive ribbon for an easy teacher or neighbor gift.
📖 Recipe
White Trash 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
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; set aside.
- Combine Golden Grahams, chex cereal, pretzels, peanuts, and M&M's in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine white chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir and then microwave at 15 second intervals until chips are melted. Stir between intervals and be careful to avoid overcooking the white chocolate.
- Pour melted white chocolate over cereal mixture. Stir until evenly coated. Spread onto prepared baking sheet and let chocolate harden. Break into smaller pieces.
I hope you enjoy this easy no-bake holiday treat. It's a go-to for me around the holidays because it can be prepared in about ten minutes (plus time to cool). December is a very busy month and it's nice to have something to share that can be prepared so quickly.
It is a crowd favorite and can be made for many occasions throughout the year!
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.
Sharon S says
Easy and delicious 😋
Karen cales says
I made white trash for a church cookout last year and it was a real hit. This weekend we will be having another cookout so I’m doing my white trash. Wonderful dessert and loved by children as well as adults.
Alaine says
Love to hear that, Karen! Thank you!
Mary says
Made this several times and changed it up a bit each time. I used Ghirardelli’s melting wafers and liked that better than the chips but delicious nonetheless however you decide to make it!