{The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge} Iron Ladle Challenge: Party Mix!

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In 1952, Ralston Purina first published a recipe for its now-famous Chex party mix as an advertisement in Life magazine. Although few people now make Chex mix (or any party mix) from scratch — especially since the advent of a pre-packaged version in 1985 — in this Iron Ladle Challenge, Erin, Sarah and Rachel are bringing back homemade party mixes.

With fun add-ins like Goldfish crackers and Sriracha, a preponderance of butter, and cups (and cups) of dry cereal, these fresh takes on classic recipes will inspire both nostalgia and creativity — just in time for the holiday season.

Erin’s Spicy Sweet Tropical Party Mix
Makes enough to fill 1 extra-large jade green Tupperware container (274-12) from the 80’s.

Combine in a very large bowl:
9 c assorted Chex cereals
3 c Bugles
2 c lightly salted peanuts
1.5 c small pretzels
2 c banana chips

Heat in a small saucepan:
12 T butter
6 T Worcestershire sauce
½ c honey
½ c sriracha
1 t garlic powder
2 t salt

When the butter is melted, transfer to a jar with a secure lid and shake well to fully combine the WORSHUSHER and sriracha with the melted butter. Pour the about a third of the liquid gold over the dry ingredients and stir gently, but thoroughly. Pour another portion of the tasty goodness over the cereal and such and stir. Finally, pour the last of the molten flavor over the crunchy bits and stir well, but don’t crush the mixture.

Spread the buttery mix onto two large cookie sheets. Bake at 275° for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. After 45 minutes, stir once more and increase to 325° and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool. The mix will crisp up as it cools. It will fit perfectly in your grandmother’s big green Tupperware container.

Optional: if your party people enjoy spice, you can sprinkle on some chili powder or cayenne when it finishes baking. But use caution. There are no takebacks with cayenne.

Rachel’s Kid-Friendly Party Mix

View this image of the original Chex Mix on the Wheat Chex box!

The Original Chex Party Mix | Nuts and Bolts Snack Mix Recipe

Adjustments:

Remove peanuts and/or mixed nuts. Half of my kids don’t see the point. Replace with Goldfish crackers.

Add 1 cup parmesan crisps. (So good, especially when baked with Worcestershire sauce.)

Replace bagel chips/rye chips with oyster crackers (regrettably), since my local grocery doesn’t sell these items separately from premade party mixes.*

Note for next time: Increase the butter. Maybe even double it.

*This wasn’t as tasty as I thought it would be. If I do this again and still can’t find bagel chips, I’ll just swap in an extra cup of Chex , or try a different add-in altogether.

Sarah’s Puppy Chow Party Mix

My inspiration is from this recipe from Bon Appetit: bonappetit.com/recipe/puppy-chow-party-mix

Yield Makes about 5 quarts (YES FIVE QUARTS)

Ingredients

1 12-ounce box Rice Chex cereal (about 10 cups)

7 ounces bittersweet chocolate (70% cacao), chopped (about 1¼ cups)

¾ cup creamy peanut butter

¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter

1½ teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2½ cups powdered sugar, divided

Add-ins

2 cups rye chips

2 cups butterscotch chips

2 cups thin pretzel sticks

Directions

Place cereal in a large bowl. Heat chocolate, peanut butter, butter, and salt in a medium heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water), stirring, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal and toss with 2 spoons or spatulas until coated. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.

Transfer cereal mixture to a large clean bowl (so powdered sugar doesn’t absorb into chocolate coating from original bowl). Sift ½ cup powdered sugar through a fine-mesh sieve onto cereal, coating entire surface. Toss to coat. Repeat 2 more times.

Transfer cereal mixture to 2 parchment-lined sheet trays, spreading evenly. Sift ½ cup powdered sugar over both trays (do not mix). Chill 2 hours or let sit at room temperature overnight (break into individual pieces, but leave some clumps, if sitting out overnight).

Transfer cereal mixture and powdered sugar from sheet trays to a large clean bowl and toss to coat. Sift remaining ½ cup powdered sugar over and toss to coat again. Add rye chips, butterscotch chips, and pretzels; toss to combine.

Do Ahead: Puppy chow can be made 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room-temperature.