4th of July Party Mix

This is a great snack food any time, but add a little red, white and blue to it to make it more festive for the 4th.  There are so many variations you can make with this idea.

4 1/2  cups Corn or Rice Chex cereal

2 cup pretzels

2 cups mini marshmallows

1 cup red and blue chocolate candies

1 pound white almond bark or white chocolate chips

Red and blue food coloring

Mix your Chex and pretzels.  Divide the prepared Chex mix into three even portions, and spread each portion in an even layer on parchment paper.

Heat the almond bark in the microwave or in a double boiler until melted. Divide the almond bark into three equal servings. Color one serving with red food coloring. Color the second serving with blue food coloring. Leave the third serving plain (white).

Drizzle each portion of Chex mix with one color of chocolate.  I put in baggies and cut the tip off.  Let cool for at least 15 minutes, or until the chocolate returns to room temperature. When it's ready, toss together the three colors of Chex mix until combined and add your marshmallows and red and blue chocolate candies.

Variation – Make it simple by buying store bought Chex mix and plain white pop corn and combine them for your mix.  Then follow the above instructions.  Add other goodies like nuts, white chocolate pretzels, etc.  Taste after you have added extras and decide if you need more seasoning like salt.

Note:  If your chocolate seizes up on your when you add the food coloring, add a bit of cream or half and half to thin it.  Mine did and I used a double boiler.

My method of popping popcorn is to put it in a microwave safe glass bowl with a lid and microwave using popcorn setting.  I use nothing else.  It is air popped.

Have a safe 4th, be happy and may God bless you and yours.