We’re heading on vacation this week and my to-do list is a mile long.  We need easy snacks and what is easier than Chex Mix?

Lucky for us, the new Vanilla Chex was on the shelf and in my cart.  Even better?  Turns out the generous folks at General Mills sent me some Vanilla Chex and a stack of chex mix recipes too.  You’ll find three slightly adapted recipes plus one original in this post, and now I’m able to check one more thing off my list!

Let’s start with the obvious – Vanilla Chex Muddy Buddies.  Start with a crisp rice cereal and toss it with a pure vanilla coating and your plain breakfast cereal just got better.  If you like the original Muddy Buddies, a powdered sugar-coated snack, you’ll love the cereal straight from the box.  This recipe is the quick and easy way to a simple, sweet treat.

Chex Vanilla Muddy Buddies

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

9 cups Vanilla Chex cereal

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

In a large microwave-safe bowl, add white chocolate chips and butter and cook for 30 seconds in the microwave. Stir. Repeat for in 30-second increments or until smooth.  Stir in vanilla.  Add in cereal and toss to coat.  Pour mixture into extra-large zip-top bag.  Add powdered sugar and shake until coated. Spread mixture on waxed paper to cool. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator. Makes 18, 1/2-cup servings. Recipe adapted from General Mills.

Brown Sugar Spice Chex Party Mix

6 cups Vanilla Chex cereal

1/2 cup whole roasted almonds

1/2 cup whole roasted cashews

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablepoons dark corn syrup

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 cup yogurt covered cranberries

In a large microwave-safe bowl, measure cereal and nuts. Set aside. In a 2-cup measuring cup, microwave butter until melted. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and spices. Heat in microwave until boiling, about 30 seconds. Pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat. Continue to cook uncovered in the microwave, using 30 second increments, until mixture is glazed. Cool 5 minutes and stir in cranberries. Spread mixture on waxed paper to cool. Store in an airtight container. Makes 14, 1/2-cup servings. Recipe adapted from General Mills.

Mexican Muddy Buddies

9 cups Chex cereal (combination of Vanilla Chex, Chocolate Chex or Cinnamon Chex)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Measure cereal into a large bowl and set aside. In a microwave-safe measuring cup, heat chocolate chips and butter uncovered for up to 1 minutes or until mixture is smooth. Stir in milk, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal and toss to coat. Pour mixture into extra-large zip-top bag. Add powdered sugar and shake until coated. Spread mixture on waxed paper to cool. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator. Makes 18, 1/2-cup servings. Recipe adapted from General Mills.

One other thing–leave a comment and I’ll pick a winner to receive coupons for your own box of Vanilla Chex for free!

The opinions shared are mine and my household of taste-testers.