Cooking Lesson #548: Santa’s Helper’s Reindeer Food

…from the Perspectives’ Holiday Kitchen

credit: ihearteating.com

How you doin’? This easy Santa’s Helper’s Reindeer Food snack mix recipe is fun to make. Really, it couldn't be simpler: just pour melted white chocolate over the other ingredients and toss to coat! My Reindeer Food" recipe is sweet, salty, and impossible to resist. You can choose a holiday mix of M&M's so the colors shine through to make it extra festive! I even add in mini salted corn nuts for an extra loud crunch. Play your cards right and you might even get an extra treat in your stocking by making this snack for Santa and his reindeer.

Santa’s Helper’s Reindeer Food is great for gift-giving not only for feeding Dancer, Prancer and the rest of the herd—including Rudolph—but for friends and family, too. For a simple and festive presentation, throw it into mason jars and decorate with patterned fabric and a festive ribbon. You can also use cookie tins, gift bags, or basic storage containers.
 
Prep time:  15 minutes
Cook time:  5 minutes
Cool Time:  30 minutes
Yield:  24 servings
 
Ingredients 
1 (20 ounce) package miniature pretzels
1 (17.5 ounce) package crispy corn cereal squares (I prefer any of the Chex cereals)
1 (16 ounce) jar salted dry-roasted peanuts (I also like to use crispy honey coated peanut, almonds, or cashews)
1 (14 ounce) package candy-coated milk chocolate pieces (I prefer M&M's)
24 ounces chopped white chocolate (I prefer Guittard chocolate),
6-ounces mini salted corn nuts (optional)
 
Directions

1. Cover a large area of counter space with waxed paper and tape it down.
2. In a large bowl, mix pretzels, corn cereal, peanuts and M&M milk chocolate pieces together (and whatever other snacks that turn you on).
3. Melt white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching.
4. Pour melted white chocolate over snack mixture; stir to evenly coat. Quickly transfer mixture to the prepared waxed paper and spread in a thin layer. Let the mix cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
5. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

 
ChefSecret:  Store Reindeer Food in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days or in the fridge for up to one week.

Here is my elfin Quip of the Day:  If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do Santa’s elves get? Mistle-toe, silly!
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross. 

#Snacks #ReindeerFood #SantasReindeer #Pretzels #Nuts #WhiteChocolate #CornNuts #M&Ms #Guittard #Christmas #Holidays2022 #HolidayRecipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup

                                                     ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2022

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