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Home / Holiday Recipes / Valentine's Day / Cupid’s Crunch (Valentine’s Treat Mix)

Cupid’s Crunch (Valentine’s Treat Mix)

45 minutes mins
| Leave a Comment | Jump to Recipe 02/13/25 | Updated: 02/13/25 | by Nora

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day treat that’s quick, delicious, and sure to impress? Introducing Cupid’s Crunch – a fun blend of sweet and salty flavors that will make your taste buds dance. Perfect for a festive family snack, a classroom treat, or a thoughtful gift!

overhead close up view of Cupid's Crunch treat mix
Jump to:
  • Why this recipe works
  • Ingredients you’ll need
  • Step-by-step overview
  • Tips for success
  • Helpful recipe hints
  • Printable recipe
  • Comments

Why this recipe works

  • Sweet, salty, and totally addictive: Crunchy cereal, salty pretzels, and creamy white chocolate? Yeah, it’s basically snack heaven in every bite.
  • No-fuss and fast: No baking, no complicated steps – just mix, melt, and munch. Perfect for when life is hectic (aka always).
  • Fun and festive: Decked out in Valentine’s colors, but easy to switch up for any holiday or just because.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

overhead view of ingredients to make a Valentine's treat mix with text labels
Ingredients for Cupid’s Crunch: Chex cereal, Cheerios, mini pretzel twists, dry-roasted cashews or peanuts (optional), white candy melts, vegetable oil, salt, Valentine’s sprinkles, Valentine’s M&Ms, mini marshmallows.

Ingredient notes

  • Chex cereal: Provides a light, crispy base. You can use Rice Chex, Corn Chex, or a combination of both. I usually do a combination for more interest!
  • Cheerios: Adds a different texture; heart-shaped varieties are festive if available but regular is fine. I usually use plain, but feel free to use a flavored variety.
  • Mini pretzel twists: Introduce a satisfying salty crunch. Substitute with pretzel sticks or snaps if preferred.
  • Dry-roasted nuts: Peanuts (or cashes if you prefer) add a nutty richness. For a nut-free version, skip them.
  • White chocolate: Bind the mix together with sweetness. White candy melts or vanilla almond bark work best, although you can use white chocolate chips in a pinch – they’re just a little harder to melt.
  • Valentine’s candy: Infuse festive colors and extra sweetness. Feel free to use your preferred candies or themed sprinkles.

Step-by-step overview

This is super easy to make, here is a quick overview with step by step photos if you want some additional guidance. Before you begin, line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.

1. Combine dry ingredients

overhead view of dry ingredients for Chex mix in bowl
In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of Chex cereal, 2 cups of Cheerios, 1 cup of mini pretzel twists, and 1 cup of dry-roasted nuts (if using).

2. Add the chocolate

overhead view of dry ingredients for Chex mix in bowl with melted white chocolate
Melt 16oz of white candy melts with 2 tsp of vegetable oil. Add ¼ tsp salt. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir well until everything is evenly coated.

Be cautious not to overheat the chocolate, as white chocolate can seize if it becomes too hot! Microwave in 15-sec intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and pourable.

3. Spread and decorate

overhead view of cupid's crunch on sheet pan
Spread the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan in a single layer. Immediately sprinkle 3 tablespoons of Valentine’s-themed sprinkles over the top.

4. Set and finish

overhead view of set valentine's treat mix topped with mini marshmallows
Allow to set at room temp until firm, 20-30 minutes. Once set, break into bite-sized pieces; add a 10-oz bag of Valentine’s M&Ms and 1 cup of mini marshmallows.
overhead view of valentine's treat mix in a white bowl

Tips for success

  • Melt the chocolate gently: White chocolate can be super temperamental. Heat it in short bursts, stirring often, or it might seize up and turn into a grainy mess.
  • Coat evenly for the best crunch: Gently fold everything together until every last pretzel and cereal piece is coated – nobody wants a dry corner of Chex!
  • Let it set fully: I know it’s tempting to dive in right away, but give it time to set completely before breaking it up. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
  • Make it your own: Swap nuts for more pretzels, add extra marshmallows, or throw in some crushed cookies – there’s no wrong way to mix this up!

Helpful recipe hints

Troubleshooting & storage

Why is my Cupid Crunch clumping together instead of having individual pieces?

This can happen if the melted chocolate mixture is too thick or if the cereal isn’t mixed thoroughly.

To prevent clumping:

Thin the chocolate mixture: Add a small amount of butter or vegetable oil to the melted chocolate to achieve a smoother consistency.

Mix quickly and gently: Once the chocolate is melted, work swiftly to pour it over the cereal mixture and stir gently but thoroughly to ensure even coating.

Use a large mixing vessel: A spacious bowl allows for better mixing without crushing the cereal.

Why is my cereal soggy?

If the melted chocolate is too hot when mixed with the cereal, it can make the cereal soggy. Only melt the chocolate until it’s pourable. If you’re concerned, let it stand for 1 minute before adding it to the dry ingredients.

Additionally, after coating the cereal, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool and set properly before storing.

Why does my snack mix taste stale?

Using stale cereal can result in a less-than-fresh taste. Always check the freshness of your cereal before starting. Additionally, ensure that the finished mix is stored in an airtight container to maintain its crunchiness. 

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare it up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. If you’re in a warmer climate, consider refrigerating to prevent the chocolate from melting.

How should I store leftovers?

Store any remaining Cupid Crunch in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

For a chilled treat, keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months; it tastes great cold! But preferably do not re-warm it to room temp, or it may get a little soggy.

Serving tips

Cupid’s Crunch isn’t just a tasty treat – it’s also a perfect gift! Make sure the mix is fully set before packaging to avoid any sticky surprises! Package it up in cute cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, or fill small mason jars with the mix for an adorable Valentine’s Day gift for teachers, neighbors, or friends.

For a fun family snack, serve it in a big bowl during movie night, or portion it into snack-sized bags for an easy, grab-and-go treat.

frontal close up view of valentine's treat mix

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PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card
overhead view of valentine's treat mix in a white bowl
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Cupid’s Crunch (Valentine’s Treat Mix)

Cupid Crunch is the ultimate sweet and salty Valentine’s snack mix, packed with crunchy cereal, pretzels, M&Ms, and marshmallows coated in creamy white chocolate. Easy, festive, and totally irresistible!
Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings
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Recipe details

Prep 15 minutes mins
Setting 30 minutes mins
Total 45 minutes mins
Servings 12 servings
Difficulty Easy

Ingredients
 

  • 4 cups Chex cereal corn, rice or a mix
  • 2 cups cheerios heart-shaped are cute here, if available
  • 1 cup mini pretzel twists
  • 1 cup dry-roasted peanuts or cashews; omit for nut-free
  • 16 oz white chocolate melts OR white candy melts OR vanilla almond bark OR white chocolate chips (chips are harder to melt)
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles
  • 1 (10-oz) bag Valentine’s M&Ms (red, white, pink – Cupid's Blend)
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows heart-shaped if available

Instructions
 

  • Prep: Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Combine dry ingredients: Combine 4 cups Chex cereal, 2 cups cheerios, 1 cup mini pretzel twists and 1 cup dry-roasted peanuts (if using) in a large bowl.
  • Melt chocolate: Melt 16 oz white chocolate melts with 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 15-second intervals until smooth and pourable. Stir in ¼ teaspoon salt.
  • Combine: Pour melted chocolate over dry ingredients in bowl. Immediately stir gently to coat, then spread on lined sheet pan in single layer. Evenly sprinkle 3 tablespoons Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles on top. Allow to set at room temperature until firm, about 20-30 minutes.
  • Finish: Once firm, break into pieces. Combine with 1 (10-oz) bag Valentine’s M&Ms and 1 cup mini marshmallows. Store in airtight bag or container.

Notes

Ingredient notes:
  • Use candy melts, or almond bark; white chocolate chips work but are harder to melt; add oil for smooth melting.
  • Swap nuts for extra pretzels if needing to omit.
  • Heart-shaped Cheerios and/or marshmallows add a festive touch.
Tips for success:
  • Melt chocolate slowly to avoid seizing.
  • Mix gently for even coating.
  • Let set fully before breaking/storing.
Storage:
Store in airtight container at room temp for 1 week or fridge for 2 weeks. Freezer is fine, too, for 3 months – but preferably eat cold. Ensure mix is fully set before packaging for gifts!
Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Snack
Cuisine: American

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

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