Sweetheart Valentine’s Buddies Recipe
Introduction
Sweetheart Valentine’s Buddies are a festive and delicious treat perfect for sharing during Valentine’s Day. This colorful mix combines crunchy Chex cereal with creamy white chocolate and vibrant red candy melts, all dusted with strawberry cake mix and powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces white almond bark or white chocolate chips
- 5 ounces red candy melts
- ½ teaspoon shortening
- 5 cups Chex cereal, divided
- ½ cup strawberry cake mix, divided
- ½ cup powdered sugar, divided
- ½ package Valentine’s chocolate M&M’s
Instructions
- Step 1: Divide the 5 cups of Chex cereal evenly into two bowls, placing 2 ½ cups in each.
- Step 2: Melt the white almond bark or white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe dish. Add ½ teaspoon shortening to ensure smooth spreading. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted without burning.
- Step 3: Pour the melted white chocolate over the first bowl of Chex cereal and gently mix until all the pieces are evenly coated.
- Step 4: Next, melt the red candy melts using the same microwave method, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring until fully melted and smooth.
- Step 5: Pour the melted red candy melts over the second bowl of Chex cereal and stir to coat all the pieces evenly.
- Step 6: Prepare two gallon-size ziplock bags. In each, combine ¼ cup strawberry cake mix with ¼ cup powdered sugar. Place each bowl of coated Chex cereal into a separate bag and shake well until the cereal is thoroughly coated with the sugar and cake mix.
- Step 7: Add Valentine’s chocolate M&M’s to the mixture as desired and gently toss to combine before serving or packing.
Tips & Variations
- Use shortening or coconut oil to help candy melts and almond bark melt smoothly and avoid clumping.
- Substitute strawberry cake mix with raspberry or cherry flavor for a different berry twist.
- Add festive sprinkles or small heart-shaped candies for extra Valentine’s Day flair.
- To keep the cereal crunchy, ensure the chocolate coating is fully set before adding powdered sugar mixture.
Storage
Store Sweetheart Valentine’s Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you prefer a crunchier texture, avoid refrigeration as moisture can make the cereal soggy. To freshen leftovers, let them sit uncovered for a short while before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular chocolate instead of almond bark?
Regular chocolate can be used, but it may not harden as smoothly as almond bark or candy melts. Adding a small amount of shortening can help achieve a better consistency.
What if I don’t have strawberry cake mix?
You can substitute it with any flavored cake mix or powdered sugar alone, though the strawberry flavor adds a nice touch of sweetness and color to the mix.
PrintSweetheart Valentine’s Buddies Recipe
Sweetheart Valentine’s Buddies are a festive and delicious snack mix perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day. This treat features Chex cereal coated in melted white chocolate and red candy melts, then dusted with strawberry cake mix and powdered sugar for a sweet, colorful, and crunchy delight. Finished with Valentine-themed chocolate M&M’s, this easy-to-make recipe is a great gift or party snack that combines creamy, fruity, and chocolaty flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 6 cups of snack mix 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Microwaving
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chocolate Coating
- 5 ounces white almond bark or white chocolate chips
- 5 ounces red candy melts
- ½ teaspoon shortening
Cereal Mix
- 5 cups Chex cereal, divided (2 ½ cups in each bowl)
Coating Mix
- ½ cup strawberry cake mix, divided (¼ cup in each ziplock bag)
- ½ cup powdered sugar, divided (¼ cup in each ziplock bag)
Topping
- ½ package Valentine’s chocolate M&M’s
Instructions
- Divide the cereal: Split the 5 cups of Chex cereal evenly into two separate bowls, placing 2 ½ cups in each bowl to prepare for two different coatings.
- Melt the white chocolate: In a microwave-safe dish, melt 5 ounces of white almond bark or white chocolate chips. Add ½ teaspoon of shortening to help the chocolate spread evenly. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth and fully melted, being careful not to burn the chocolate.
- Coat first batch: Pour the melted white chocolate mixture into the first bowl of Chex cereal. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat every piece of cereal with the white chocolate.
- Melt the red candy melts: In a clean microwave-safe bowl, melt the 5 ounces of red candy melts, stirring every 30 seconds until completely smooth.
- Coat second batch: Pour the melted red candy into the second bowl of Chex cereal and mix well until every piece is coated.
- Prepare coating bags: Place ¼ cup strawberry cake mix and ¼ cup powdered sugar into two separate gallon-size ziplock bags, one set for each cereal bowl.
- Coat the cereal mixtures: Pour one bowl of coated Chex cereal into its corresponding ziplock bag containing the strawberry cake mix and powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake well to coat the cereal evenly. Repeat with the other bowl and bag.
- Add topping: Stir in the Valentine’s chocolate M&M’s to the coated cereal mixture of your choice for added color, texture, and sweetness.
Notes
- Be sure to melt the chocolates slowly to avoid burning; stirring frequently helps achieve smooth consistency.
- The shortening assists in achieving a smooth coating and helps with spreading; do not omit.
- You can customize this snack mix by adding nuts or other Valentine-themed candies.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- If you cannot find red candy melts, alternative red-colored chocolate or colored white chocolate can be used.
Keywords: Valentine’s Day snack, Chex Mix recipe, chocolate coated cereal, festive snack, sweet snack mix, holiday snack, candy coated cereal
