Apparently I have a think for treats made with breakfast cereal. As I discussed in this recipe for Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats, I cannot be around Rice Krispie Treats and be expected to be a smart, responsible adult making wise dietary decisions. Same thing goes for sweet Chex mixes (I’ve actually never really been a fan of the traditional savory Chex mix, which surprises me on a lot of levels. I kind of feel like I need to explore on a deeper level why I don’t like it, but I’ll spare you all that and work out my feelings at home with my dream journal.) Muddy Buddies? This Chewy Chex Mix that will hold you in its sticky buttery coconut grasp? I cannot be held accountable for my actions around any of them. And this recipe for Key Lime Chex Buddies is no exception.
I know a lot of you are busy with Memorial Day festivities today, so this is a perfect, super-easy little snack that you can whip up on the fly to take care of all your munchy needs during all your barbecue-ing (or movie watching or feelings-eating, whatever role Chex Mix plays in your life.) You’re going to need Rice Chex (or generic equivalent), white chocolate chips, a few juicy limes, and some butter.
Place the cereal in a large mixing bowl.
In a microwavable mixing bowl or glass measuring cup (I used the 2-cup size), Combine the white chocolate chips, butter, some lime zest…
and freshly squeezed lime juice…
Microwave for one minute.Whisk the mixture…
If it’s nice and smooth, you don’t need to heat it anymore, but if you’re having a hard time reaching a smooth, pourable mixture, microwave it for another 30 seconds. When the mixture is smooth, drizzle it over the cereal.
Stir quickly to combine and then transfer to a 1 gallon ziploc bag. Add 2 cups powdered sugar.
Shake vigorously to combine and equally coat the cereal. Spread the cereal mixture out into a single layer and allow to dry/cool completely, then store in an airtight container. Or just eat it. We all know what I’ll be doing.
Now. Some people in the recipe I adapted this from complain that this isn’t crunchy enough for them. The texture isn’t soggy, but it’s not crispity-crunchity, either, so if that’s what you’re after, when you spread out the cereal, do it on a baking sheet and then bake it for about 40 minutes at 200, stirring occasionally.. I’ve never tried this. This is just what other people do. I don’t really subscribe to things that make eating cereal mixes take longer–if I want to bake something, I’ll bake cookies. But I also realize that no matter how much I think everyone should love Friday Night Lights and appreciate the this Chex Mix just as it is, I also realize everyone is not me and that some people don’t like Kyle Chandler (gasp) and they’d rather have crispy Chex Mix.
We hope you all have a fun, happy, safe holiday! Also, if you haven’t snagged a curling wand yet, check out this post–the sale ends today!
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Key Lime Chex Buddies
- Total Time: 10
Description
A super quick and easy twist on a tradition–bright, summery key lime-flavored Chex Mix!
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex (or generic equivalent)
- 1 1/4 cups white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place the cereal in a large mixing bowl. In a 2-cup glass measuring cup (or a 2-ish cup microwave safe bowl), combine the chocolate chips, butter, lime juice, and lime zest. Microwave for one minute and whisk. If smooth, you don’t need to heat it anymore, but if it isn’t completely smooth and whiskable, heat for another 30 seconds in the microwave.
- When the mixture is smooth, drizzle it over the cereal and stir quickly to combine. When evenly coated, transfer to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Add powdered sugar, close the bag, and shake to coat the cereal mixture evenly. Spread evenly and allow to cool/dry*, then store in an airtight container.
Notes
- If you’d like a crispier mix, heat oven to 200 F and spread the cereal on a baking sheet after adding the powdered sugar. Bake for 40 minutes, stirring frequently. Allow to cool before serving/storing.
- Prep Time: 10
Questions & Reviews
Soooo good!! Not too tart and not too sweet. Easy to throw together for an office picnic luncheon. A great variation on the “Muddy Buddy” theme.
Who are these people that don’t love Kyle Chandler?
I totally should have read this BEFORE I went to the store. I have no limes 🙁 Or Chex for that matter. But we need to talk about real Chex mix. We have a recipe from my grandmother (or great aunt, or someone else who is really old). It doesn’t call for Season Salt, which seems to be what people keep putting in it. Everyone who has ever tasted it loves it. It’s not a quick mix, but I could probably sit and eat all of it in a day or so.
One treat/snack I really like is key lime yogurt covered pretzels – these sound like they could fit right in with those. Yum!
You are my favorite. Yes to everything about this post. If left unattended I’ll happily eat an entire batch of cereal-based snack food and wax poetic about Kyle Chandler. I’m going to make this right now, despite someone having left half of a store-bought key-lime pie at my house, post BBQ. YUM!
Yes, treats made from cereal are my greatest weakness. Cereal covered in white chocolate? Come to mama.