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These Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Chocolate Chex Mix Bars might just be the easiest dessert bar that anyone can bake up. Chex cereal, tossed with salty pretzels, nuts, and sweet cinnamon sugar, toasted in the oven, then tossed with peanut butter. The mix is then pressed into bars or cups and topped with a thick layer of sweet chocolate. They’re fun to make and so DELICIOUS, and most importantly…everyone loves them! They’re the perfect sweet treat for your Thanksgiving dessert table, yet equally great for Christmas and holiday gifting too!
I’ve really been leaning into the recipes I love most lately. The cozy comfort foods, the sweet and easy desserts, and even sharing some homemade cheesy snacks. Whenever I get a little too busy, and a little too overwhelmed (as I have over the past few weeks), I tend to share out my very favorite recipes.
Why are they my favorite? Because I don’t overthink them. When time is an issue…and the daylight hours are very, very short, I go with my first instinct or my gut. Those who know me closely, know this is not the easiest thing for me to do. I’ve said it many times, but I’m a second guesser, always doubting myself. I’m trying to be better, but it can be difficult.
The point is, when I don’t have any time to second guess, I make better decisions.
Enter these sweet chocolate cinnamon bars – snickerdoodle bars! These have me way too excited for the upcoming holiday season…anything snickerdoodle makes me think Christmas. I’m holding back on Christmas talk for now, but I feel like it will be coming a bit earlier this year. I’m already way too excited.
As you’ve probably guessed, these bars are easy, but they’re also delicious and so fun.
Growing up Chex mix was our special Christmas Eve treat, and it was always made savory, never sweet. My mom’s Chex Mix is a holiday favorite and it would not be Christmas without it. We love it! But at some point, I discovered that sweet Chex mix was also a thing. Years back, I made a version of these bars and really fell in love with the salty, sweet combination.
They are DELICIOUS. The peanut butter combined with the sweet cinnamon…the classic flavor within a snickerdoodle cookie, is really the perfect pairing. The peanut butter creates the chewiest bar, but that cinnamon sugar and chocolate coating are what really seal the deal.
The quick and simple details.
First up, toss everything together. It’s a mix of Chex cereals, pretzels, and salted nuts, blended with butter and cinnamon sugar (the snickerdoodle component). Toast this mix up in the oven.
While that’s happening, melt together some peanut butter and honey. The honey is the sweetener and acts as a really nice “glue” to hold the bars together. Once the Chex mix is toasted, toss it with the peanut mixture, then spread everything out in a baking dish.
You can make these into bars or you can make cute little cups using paper cupcake liners. Bother versions are just as delicious, but the cups make for a nice handheld dessert!
Once you have your bars/cups assembled, top with a thick layer of chocolate and chill until set.
And that’s it. Simple…but yet not. There are so many deliciously sweet flavors throughout these bars….sweet cinnamon, nutty peanut butter, salty pretzels, and chocolate.
What would these bars be great for?
Honestly, they’re great for all occasions, but personally, I’m really excited to serve them over the holidays.
I already have plans to have them paced about on Thanksgiving Day for snacking. And I’m definitely including them in this year’s holiday cookie box. The options for these sweet treats are endless. If you’re looking for a quick and easy gift, these would be perfect to wrap up in a cute box. They’re certain to cheer up anyone’s day. And they’re a great gift to give friends and family that you might not be able to see over the holidays.
And then? Well, these also make for a pretty darn delicious Friday night dessert. I highly recommend making a double batch. A batch for tonight and a batch for a friend…or maybe just for the week ahead. Oh, and stopping with just one bar? Well, that’s almost impossible. Trust me, you’ll be making batch after batch of these easy bars – so good!
Looking for other easy desserts? Here are my favorites:
Swirled Chocolate Butterscotch Bars
Slice n’ Bake Salted Chocolate Butter Pecan Cookies
5 Ingredient Triple Decker Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Lastly, if you make these Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Chocolate Chex Mix Bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Chocolate Chex Mix Bars
Servings: 24 bars
Calories Per Serving: 269 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Corn Chex
- 2 cups Rice Chex
- 2 cups bite size pretzels
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup honey
- 3-4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or line 24 cupcake molds with paper liners.2. On a rimmed baking sheet, combine the butter and vanilla. Add the Chex cereals, pretzels, and nuts. Sprinkle over the sugar and cinnamon, then toss well to coat. Spread the mix in an even layer. Bake 15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until toasted. 3. Meanwhile, melt together the honey and peanut butter in a large pot over low heat, until melted smooth, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat. Stir in the toasted Chex mix, tossing to combine. Spread the mix out into the prepared pan. Alternately, you can spoon the mixture evenly among 24 cupcake molds lined with cupcake liners. 4. Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together in the microwave until melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the bars, spreading in an even layer. Chill 1 hour, until set. Top with salt, if desired. Let the bars sit at room temp 15-20 minutes before cutting, then cut into bars. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
Can’t wait to make these! In the video they add brown sugar to the honey and peanut butter but it’s not in the recipe. Is it necessary?
Just finished making these. Samples are tasty! Basically a combination of Chex mix and what some folks call “Cornflake Candy”. My observations on first taste: I like cereal and pretzels and nuts! I feel like the sauce overwhelms those flavors a little. I would lighten up a little on the amount of peanut butter/honey sauce or, alternately, add more cereal/pretzels/nuts. But not to worry, I will thoroughly enjoy eating the first attempt! Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try! I’m SO glad you enjoyed it! xT
This recipe is a bomb. Too much choc sauce on top for me. I cut that back to 1
Cup of melted choc and drizzled it over. Looks better to for Xmas and tasted better with less choc
Hi Holly,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
Do you think maple syrup would work instead of honey?
Hey Heather,
Yes, I think that would work well for you! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hi love your recipes. Can you tell me how long this will keep/store? I’m wanting to gift them for the holidays and not sure how far in advance I can make them.
TIA.
Hi there! These will store for about 2-3 days 🙂 xTieghan
These are okay, but I feel like it would have been way better with the Karo syrup and brown sugar mixture that is referenced in the comments below. That is not what is listed in the recipe…just honey! Mine weren’t as pretty, either. Did you use a mini-muffin pan, rather than full size?
Hey there,
Sorry you did not enjoy the recipe. Yes, I used a mini muffin tin. I prefer the updated version, but you could certainly try this with the old ingredients. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
These turned out so good! Next time I’m doing more cinnamon, it didn’t come through for me. Thanks!!!
Hey Tayler,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed it! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I see in the comments people asking about karo syrup, but i don’t see it as in ingredient. Did i miss something. Definitely making these as soon as I get confirmation
😉
Hey Toni,
That was an old version of the recipe, the recipe is up to date and you can follow it as is. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
There came out so good. The kids had fun making them and eating them (I hid a stash for myself in the fridge).
Love that!! Thank you for trying these, Renee! xTieghan
Do you have any photos of these made in a 9×13 pan?
Hey Ginny,
Sorry I do not. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Can you freeze these ??
Hey Margaret,
I’ve never frozen these, but I don’t see why not! I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi!
Can you freeze the bars if there is too much?!
Hey Charlotte,
Yes, that would be fine to do. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These were such a hit! Made them in several molds- loaf pans and cut, mini muffins, and regular muffin size. The flavors are so delicious together and so crunchy! Can’t wait to make these again for Christmas.
I am really glad these turned out so well for you, Maria! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Amazing!! Should these be kept in the fridge ? And how long will they last ? Hoping til company comes for the holiday 🙂 And can they be frozen ?
Hey Martha,
You can keep these in an airtight container on the counter for up to 1 week. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Making these for the holidays! Has anyone tried to freeze them? I would live to make them ahead but was worried the Chex and pretzels would lose their crunch? Thanks!