Parmesan Ranch Chex Mix

‘Twas the night before Christmas…

Er, actually, ’twas the morning of Christmas.

It’s 5:00 a.m. on December 23rd and I’ve got all of our Christmas lights lit, pumpkin spice coffee steaming in a cup in front of me, and plans to make a breakfast casserole as soon as I’m done typing this. All of this because today is our Christmas.

That’s what happens when you have to work on actual Christmas Day. This will be Rob & I’s third (technically fourth, but our first Christmas together was spent far apart) Christmas together, and the third one we’ve spent on a day that wasn’t December 25th.

We managed to get our first Christmas off, but spent the day flying to Montana.

Christmas is what you make it, though. We have extravagant plans for just the two of us and our Christmas bundle of joy (more like bundle of crazy), Bolo the cat.

Isn’t he precious? Don’t let him fool you. Our Christmas tree looks like a disaster. He’s managed to break at least a half dozen ornaments, and the ones he hasn’t broken are hoarded somewhere. Under the couch, maybe? Underneath the thousands of presents we have under the tree? Who knows. I learned a long time ago to not invest emotionally into things, no matter how much they mean to you. Things can be replaced. Memories and a snuggly cat cannot.

Breakfast casserole is on tap this morning, followed by present openings, Christmas movies, and a large but simple meal for Rob & I. I bought a smoked turkey, packaged stuffing (gotta go easy, you know?), potatoes to peel for mashed taters, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce & a frozen apple pie. We’ll snack on cheese, leftover Chinese, and shrimp cocktail throughout the day.

Does anyone else think they’ve gained 20 pounds since Thanksgiving? I’m convinced I have. It’s been non stop eating and treats at work. We had our work Christmas party on Thursday and I’m shocked I didn’t go into a sugar coma. So many goods.

I went all out for that party, too. I made those Christmas Shortbread Bites, cranberry meatballs, and this Parmesan Ranch Chex Mix.

The Chex Mix was a massive hit. When I got into work the next day, my best friend Sam said her and the evening director could not stop eating it. I believe her; it’s hard to put this stuff down.

Hopefully you’re still looking to make some snacks before your big day. This Chex Mix will tide you over until your lavish holiday dinner. Just be warned, it is extremely addicting. If you find yourself eating handfuls for hours on end, don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.

Step-By-Step Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. In a large bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Stir in ranch mix, Parmesan, garlic powder & onion powder.

Delicious butter-ranch-cheese mixture. Pour a little bit of the mix into a large roasting pan.

Put all of the Chex cereal, pretzels, Cheez-Its, and Melba toast round in the toaster. Give it a good stir.

Pour the rest of the ranch-butter mix around the outside of the Chex cereal. Stir so everything is well coated. Add extra Parmesan if you want.

Roast for one hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Place paper towels or old newspaper down on your counter. Pour out Chex mix into a thin layer to let dry and cool. Put into cute containers or eat as is!

I mean, who doesn’t love Chex Mix? It’s a universal snack for all ages. Get up on that Chex Mix train!