Gold and Black Midnight Snack

A festive, sweet-and-savory snack mix featuring gold and black ingredients—perfect for ringing in the New Year with style and crunch.

This snack mix has become my go-to for New Year& rsquo;s celebrations, impressing guests with both its look and taste.

Ingredients

• Crunchy Base: 3 cups black cocoa cereal (e.g., Oreo Os or similar), 2 cups mini pretzel twists, 1 cup caramel popcorn
• Gold & Black Accents: 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chocolate-covered espresso beans (optional for adults), 1/2 cup gold candy-coated chocolates (e.g., gold M&Ms), 1/2 cup gold star sprinkles or edible glitter
• Sweet & Savory Coating: 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons honey, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

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Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2:

In a large mixing bowl, combine black cocoa cereal, pretzel twists, and caramel popcorn.

Step 3:

In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in honey and sea salt until smooth.

Step 4:

Drizzle the butter mixture evenly over the snack mix. Toss gently to coat.

Step 5:

Spread the coated mix in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8–10 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until fragrant and just beginning to crisp.

Step 6:

Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Step 7:

Once cooled, transfer the mix to a large bowl. Add chocolate chips, chocolate-covered espresso beans, gold candy-coated chocolates, and gold star sprinkles. Toss gently to combine.

Step 8:

Serve in bowls or fill festive bags for guests to take home.

Blend smoothies, sauces, and shakes quickly for easy breakfasts, snacks, and meal prep.

Check price on Amazon

Blend smoothies, sauces, and shakes quickly for easy breakfasts, snacks, and meal prep.

Check price on Amazon

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Sharing this snack has become a cherished family tradition every New Year's Eve.

Notes

For a nutty variation, add 1/2 cup roasted salted cashews or almonds. Pair with sparkling wine or a festive mocktail for a perfect NYE treat.

Required Tools

Large mixing bowl, small saucepan, baking sheet, parchment paper, spatula

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (butter), gluten (pretzels, some cereals), and soy (chocolate). May contain nuts (if added or present in chocolates). Double-check candy and cereal labels for allergens.

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This Gold and Black Midnight Snack Mix is the perfect crunchy and flavorful treat to celebrate in style.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What gives the mix its gold and black colors?

The combination of black cocoa cereal and gold candy-coated chocolates along with star sprinkles creates the distinctive gold and black palette.

→ Can the espresso beans be omitted?

Yes, espresso beans are optional and can be left out for a milder, kid-friendly flavor.

→ How is the coating prepared and applied?

A mix of melted butter, honey, and sea salt is drizzled over the cereal mix before baking to create a lightly sweet and savory layer.

→ Is there a gluten-free option for this mix?

Using gluten-free pretzels and caramel popcorn makes this mix suitable for gluten-free diets.

→ What is the best way to serve this snack mix?

Serve in bowls at gatherings or pack into festive bags for guests to enjoy later.

→ Can nuts be added to this mix?

Yes, adding roasted salted cashews or almonds provides a nutty variation with extra crunch.