# Holiday Cranberry Maple Chex Mix > A bright, sweet-salty Chex Mix that pairs tart dried cranberries with warm maple and cinnamon for a festive snack. Crunchy cereal and toasted pecans get a sticky maple glaze, then are finished with flaky sea salt — perfect for parties and holiday gifting. Canonical URL: https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/holiday-cranberry-maple-chex-mix ## Author Jake Woods https://www.topshelf.recipes/chef/jake-woods Published: June 25, 2026 Last Updated: September 25, 2026 ## About This Recipe This Holiday Cranberry Maple Chex Mix is built around a simple, reliable trick: a thin, buttery maple glaze that clings to every square of cereal and every pecan, then crisps into a light caramel shell in a low oven. The contrast is what makes it compelling — airy, crackly Rice and Corn Chex provide structure, chopped pecans add slow, nutty crunch, dried cranberries bring bright chew and acidity, and a finishing sprinkle of flaky sea salt keeps the sweetness from feeling cloying. A kiss of cinnamon and real vanilla deepen the maple note so the mix tastes warm rather than just sugary. It’s an easy, scalable snack that behaves like a small-batch confection rather than a tossed bag of chips, so it’s perfect for holiday platters, hostess gifts, or an edible trim on cookie trays. The method is forgiving — a steady low bake rather than flash-high heat — so the cereal toasts evenly and the glaze caramelizes without burning. If you enjoy homemade pantry gifts that travel well and sit happily on a snack table, this version balances festive flavor with straightforward technique. ## Recipe Information - Prep Time: 15 minutes - Cook Time: 25 minutes - Total Time: 40 minutes - Servings: 9 - Difficulty: Easy - Category: Snacks ## Ingredients ### Preheat and combine cereals and nuts - 2 1/2 cups Rice Chex cereal - 2 1/2 cups Corn Chex cereal - 1 1/2 cups Pecans, roughly chopped ### Make the maple-cinnamon glaze - 1/2 cup Unsalted butter - 1/3 cup Pure maple syrup - 1/4 cup Light brown sugar, packed - 1 tsp Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon ### Add cranberries and finish - 1 cup Dried cranberries - 1/2 tsp Coarse (flaky) sea salt ## Instructions ### 1. Preheat and combine cereals and nuts Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C). In a very large mixing bowl, gently combine the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, and chopped pecans, tossing to distribute evenly. ### 2. Make the maple-cinnamon glaze In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the maple syrup and brown sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and ground cinnamon, then let the glaze sit for 1 minute so it thickens slightly. ### 3. Coat cereal and bake Pour the warm maple glaze over the cereal and pecans and use a spatula to gently fold until the cereal pieces are evenly coated. Spread the mixture in an even layer on two rimmed baking sheets and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes so the mix toasts uniformly and the glaze caramelizes lightly. ### 4. Add cranberries and finish Remove the baking sheets from the oven and immediately sprinkle the dried cranberries over the warm mix, tossing gently to combine so the cranberries adhere in places but retain chewiness. While still warm, sprinkle with flaky sea salt to taste, which brightens the sweet notes. ### 5. Cool and store or gift Let the Chex Mix cool completely on the baking sheets — it will crisp up as it cools — then transfer to an airtight container or portion into gift tins. Store at room temperature for up to two weeks or gift in decorative bags for parties and holiday gatherings. ## Nutrition Estimated nutrition per serving (1 serving): - Calories: 369 kcal - Protein: 2.8 g - Carbohydrates: 42.4 g - Fat: 22.6 g - Saturated Fat: 7.4 g - Fiber: 3.5 g - Sugar: 24.1 g - Added Sugars: 23.4 g - Cholesterol: 27 mg - Sodium: 240.7 mg - Potassium: 138.9 mg - Calcium: 106.8 mg - Iron: 10.5 mg - Vitamin D: 1.1 mcg ## Tips ### Use a low oven Baking at 275°F lets the glaze set and caramelize slowly without scorching the maple or browning the cereal too fast. ### Spread in a single layer Give each piece room on rimmed sheets so heat circulates evenly; overcrowding leads to clumps and uneven toasting. ### Warm glaze slightly Pour the glaze while it’s still warm but not piping hot so it coats well without melting fragile cereal pieces. ### Add fruit at the end Sprinkling cranberries onto the mix right out of the oven ensures they cling in places but retain chew and color instead of drying out. ### Finish with flaky salt Season the warm mix with coarse sea salt for bursts of savory contrast; add less at first and taste as it cools. ## Variations and Substitutions ### Nut-Free Seed Mix Replace pecans with equal parts toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds for a nut-free crunch that still toasts beautifully under the maple glaze. ### Spiced Orange Maple Add 1 tsp finely grated orange zest and a pinch of ground cardamom to the glaze for a citrus-spice lift that pairs well with cranberries. ### Vegan Maple Chex Swap unsalted butter for the same amount of solid coconut oil or a neutral vegan butter and use brown sugar or coconut sugar to keep the texture and flavor similar. ### Savory-Sweet Herb Twist Stir in 1–2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary and cut the brown sugar by a tablespoon for a herb-forward snack that complements cheese boards. ## Notes This mix is a seasonal favorite that travels well for gift tins and hostess bags. Home cooks will love how quickly it comes together and how the tart cranberries balance the rich maple coating. ### Storage and Make-Ahead Once fully cooled, store the mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks; ensure it’s completely cool before sealing to avoid condensation. If humidity softens the crunch, refresh the mix on a rimmed sheet in a 250°F oven for 5–8 minutes, then cool before resealing. For gifting, pack in airtight tins or cellophane bags with a small desiccant packet if available. ### Serving Suggestions Serve in shallow bowls or cone-shaped paper cups so guests can grab handfuls without crushing the pieces; scatter extra chopped pecans and a few fresh cranberries on the platter for color. This mix pairs beautifully with hot beverages like mulled cider, dark roast coffee, or a spiced hot chocolate, and it also works as a crunchy counterpoint on a holiday cheese board with cheddar or aged gouda. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I use other Chex varieties? Yes — Wheat Chex or multi-grain versions work fine and will change the texture slightly but still hold the glaze; if using flavored cereals, reduce added sugar in the glaze to avoid excess sweetness. ### Why did my mix clump together? Clumping usually happens when too much glaze is used or the pieces are stirred while still very hot and pliable; spread the pieces thinly and stir gently during baking rather than vigorously after glazing to minimize large clumps. ### How can I keep the cranberries chewy rather than hard? Add dried cranberries off the heat immediately after baking so they warm slightly but aren’t exposed to oven heat, which can dry them out and make them tough. ### Can I substitute honey for maple syrup? Yes, honey will work in the same volume but yields a different flavor and a stickier finish; reduce oven time by a few minutes and watch closely since honey can brown faster than maple. ### Is this recipe gluten-free? This version is gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free Rice and Corn Chex and verify that other ingredients (like vanilla and brown sugar) are processed in gluten-free facilities. ## Related Recipes and Guides - [Easy Peanut Butter Bars](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/easy-peanut-butter-bars) - [Labor Day Grilled Lobster Rolls with Charred Scallion Brown Butter & Lemon‑Herb Aioli](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/labour-day-grilled-lobster-rolls-charred-scallion-brown-butter-lemon-herb-aioli) - [Snake River Farms Beef Tallow Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/snake-river-farms-beef-tallow-crispy-air-fryer-chicken-wings) - [Strawberry Yogurt Bark](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/strawberry-yogurt-bark) - [Buffalo Chicken Dip](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/buffalo-chicken-dip) - [Snake River Farms Beef Tallow Popcorn with Parmesan and Herbs](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/snake-river-farms-beef-tallow-popcorn-parmesan-herbs) - [Gluten-Free Weeknight Grilling Plan](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/gluten-free-weeknight-grilling-plan) - [Low-Fat Grill Swaps for Big Flavor](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/low-fat-grill-swaps-big-flavor) - [DIY Edible Monster Eyes Candy](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/diy-edible-monster-eyes-candy)