Reindeer Chow
When I was a kid, deciding which cookies my sister and I were going to leave for Santa was a very big deal. He had to have the best of our selection, and we had to make sure he had enough; he did have a long night ahead of him, after all. We also made sure that we left enough for him to take back to Mrs. Claus at the North Pole, as we instructed in the carefully crafted note that we left next to the cookies.
Once we knew that Santa and Mrs. Claus were taken care of, our attention turned to the reindeer. They needed their energy if they were going to be flying all night, right? We varied our selections for the reindeer – some years it was carrots and others we decided to let them splurge and left sugar cubes. Our eyes would light up on Christmas morning when we found a plate of crumbs and a note that Santa left, telling us how good the cookies were and how much the reindeer enjoyed their special treat.
Now, I’m no reindeer expert, but I would guess that given the choice, a reindeer would much rather eat a plate of this reindeer chow than a measly old sugar cube or carrot. Who wouldn’t prefer a mix of Rice Chex, Cheerios, peanuts, pretzels and M&MS… all coated in melted white chocolate and then broken into chunks? That’s what I thought ;-)
It’s been at least five years since my mom’s cousin brought a tin of this deliciousness over to my grandma’s when she made her Christmas visit. My poor grandma, I’m not sure how much she even got to enjoy, with everyone else’s grubby little hands taking helping after helping. The stuff is ridiculously addictive, which isn’t exactly surprising, given that it’s sweet, salty, and covered in chocolate. My mom made sure to scribble down the recipe before her cousin left, and finally I’ve made it again. No sooner was it portioned into tins, it began mysteriously disappearing, handful by handful.
This is an awesome treat to keep in your fridge for unexpected company during the holidays, and would also be fabulous packaged up in little goody bags to give away as gifts. Just make sure to save some for yourself. I guarantee no one else will want to share!
One year ago: Gingerbread Men Cookies
Two years ago: Peanut Butter Fudge
Five years ago: Buckeyes
Reindeer Chow
Ingredients
- 3 cups (81 g) Rice Chex cereal
- 3 cups (63 g) Cheerios cereal
- 3 cups (438 g) peanuts
- 3 cups (240 g) pretzel pieces
- 3 cups (709.76 g) red & green M&Ms
- 20 ounces (566.99 g) white chocolate
- 3½ tablespoons (3.5 tablespoons) solid vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper; set aside.
- In a very large bowl, mix together the Rice Chex, Cheerios, peanuts, pretzels and M&Ms.
- In a medium bowl, melt the white chocolate and shortening in the microwave on 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds, until completely melted.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the dry ingredients and quickly toss together until everything is pretty evenly coated in the white chocolate. Spread the mixture out on the prepared pan and refrigerate until it's set, about 20 minutes. Break up any chunks and store in tins or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Darn you, Michelle, for sharing this with me!
I made a “test” batch because I don’t like to take something to a gathering without first trying it to make sure it’s worthy of sharing. So my daughter and I mixed it up on a girls night just for fun and I haven’t been able to stop grabbing a “little bite” every time I walk by it! We all LOVE it! This is so easy to pull together and different than the mixes we usually encounter. It’s just SO GOOD, darn it!
Is this recipe free of peanut/nut allergies??
I have been making this every year for 15 years. Everyone raves about it. I give it as gifts, bring it to parties, the staff at the gym looks forward to it and the grandkids are crazy about it! It is definitely addictive, thus, the alternative name, (Christmas Crack) Also Love, Apple Pie Chex Mix, I, recommend you try both.. You’ll be happy you did and so will everyone you share it with!
This stuff is so amazingly delicious and addictive we call it Christmas crack. I add some crushed peppermint candy canes to mine. I love peppermint and white cho.
If sealed tightly how long will it last?
Awesome recipe ! I ha e made this 2 or 3 years in a row ! Sooo good
My whole crowd (adults and kids) love Reindeer Chow and I used your wonderful recipe (which I have made before *as is*) as a great jumping off point – I added 3 cups of chinese fried (chow mien) noodles, and for peanuts use dry roasted, the extra salt just adds a little something. Because of the additional dry ingredients I had to up the amount of white chocolate and used white almond bark in addition to the white chocolate chips to make a total of about 24 or 25 ounces.
amazing! I made a batch and a half and got a lot of chow! definitely making it again
Can you freeze reindeer chow after you make it? Is there a need to freeze it? I made it today but dont plan on distributing it for another week. Thanks.
No need to freeze! I keep it in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a month or so. Enjoy!
I don’t recommend using salted roasted peanuts from the bulk bins at the grocery. It doesn’t give it the right flavor! I am going to have to make it again with regular peanuts from the nut section! Hopefully it will turn out better!
I made this today, and it is AMAZING! So good, and so easy to make. But be warned…it is addictive!! :)
Reindeer chow is similar to one I make– I add whole pecans instead of peanuts, add some fruit loops for color ,add ghirardelli wafers instead of shorting and use seasonal m&m s if available. This never lasts very long!
Hi Michelle,
I love the awesome photos of your family and the stories that you share!
I was wondering, if I were to use coconut oil in place of the solid shortening
would it taste more like coconut? Is it possible to use butter in place of the shortening
or coconut oil?
Wishing you and your adorable family (puppies too) a wonderful holiday!
The shortening is only there to make the chocolate thinner so it will coat the ingredients better. I always use it in candy making
Made this for a club Christmas dinner as door prizes! Was very good!