Christmas Party Mix

Yes friends, another wonderful find from Pinterest. This one comes courtesy of Shelly at Cookies and Cups.  It was called "Santa's party Mix", but after making the hats, my son told me "They can't be Santa's hats.  They look more like Elf hats, cause Santa's head is way too big for them" I figured just be safe and call it the Christmas Party Mix.  After making the hats, the options of what to do with the mix are endless, so feel free to try some of my suggestions below, or change it up and throw in your own ideas.

Santa/Elf Hat Ingredients:
1 bag Carmel bugles
1 bag red candy melts
mini marshmellows
1 jar white nonpareils
1 Tbl shortening

Empty the bag of candy melts into a microwave safe bowl.  Add the shortening on top, and place in the microwave.

Heat for 30 second intervals at 50% power until completely melted and smooth.



Place a large sheet of waxed paper out for the candy coated bugles to rest on.

Take the bugles and begin to dip each one into the melted candy, making sure to cover them completely.

Lay them each on the waxed paper, allowing to cool and harden (at least 10 minutes).

Reheat the melts, and dip the bottoms of each bugle into the candy, and then into the nonpareils.


Place each bugle back onto the waxed paper to harden again.

Reheat the melts, and dip the tops of each bugle into the candy, and then press a mini marshmallow on top.

Place the bugles back onto the waxed paper until fully hardened and ready to be mixed into the party mix.


Party Mix:
3 cups mini pretzels
1/2 cup craisins
1 cup honey roasted peanuts
2 cups Cinnamon Chex
2 cups holiday M&Ms (red and green)


Toss this all together with the bugle hats and serve.

If you want the mix to be a bit sweeter, you can try either the cocoa version or white chocolate versions below:

Cocoa version:

Toss together...
3 cups mini pretzels
1/2 cup craisins
1 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts
2 cups Rice Chex
2 cups holiday M&Ms (red and green)
1/4 cup hot cocoa mix (or Ovaltine)
Bugle Hats

White Chocolate Version:

3 cups mini pretzels
1/2 cup craisins
1 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts
2 cups Rice Chex
2 cups holiday M&Ms (red and green)
8oz white chocolate chips
Bugle Hats

Mix together pretzels, craisins, peanuts, and chex.  Spread out on waxed paper lined baking sheet.
Melt white chocolate according to instructions on package and then drizzle over mix.
Pour mix into a bowl and stir to coat evenly.
Dump mix back onto waxed paper and spread out and allow to cool and harden.
Break apart and toss with M&Ms and Bugle hats.