Gold and Black Midnight Snack

Featured in: Sweet Crunch

This vibrant gold and black snack mix combines crunchy cocoa cereal, mini pretzels, and caramel popcorn with rich dark chocolate chips and gold candy accents. Coated with a buttery honey sea salt glaze, it offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory with crisp textures. Easy to prepare and ideal for festive gatherings, it provides a colorful and flavorful nibble that’s sure to impress guests and delight taste buds.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:30:00 GMT
Golden and black Midnight Snack Mix, beautifully textured, ready to eat for New Year's celebrations. Save
Golden and black Midnight Snack Mix, beautifully textured, ready to eat for New Year's celebrations. | nachohaha.com

A festive, sweet-and-savory snack mix featuring gold and black ingredients—perfect for ringing in the New Year with style and crunch.

This mix quickly became my go-to for holiday parties because everyone loves the contrast of crunchy and chocolatey treats.

Ingredients

  • Crunchy Base: 3 cups black cocoa cereal (e.g., Oreo Os or similar), 2 cups mini pretzel twists, 1 cup caramel popcorn
  • Gold & Black Accents: 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chocolate-covered espresso beans (optional for adults), 1/2 cup gold candy-coated chocolates (e.g., gold M&Ms), 1/2 cup gold star sprinkles or edible glitter
  • Sweet & Savory Coating: 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons honey, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a large mixing bowl, combine black cocoa cereal, pretzel twists, and caramel popcorn.
Step 3:
In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in honey and sea salt until smooth.
Step 4:
Drizzle the butter mixture evenly over the snack mix. Toss gently to coat.
Step 5:
Spread the coated mix in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until fragrant and just beginning to crisp.
Step 6:
Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Step 7:
Once cooled, transfer the mix to a large bowl. Add chocolate chips, chocolate-covered espresso beans, gold candy-coated chocolates, and gold star sprinkles. Toss gently to combine.
Step 8:
Serve in bowls or fill festive bags for guests to take home.
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| nachohaha.com

My family especially enjoys sharing this snack mix while counting down to the New Year, making every celebration special.

Notes

For a nutty variation, add 1/2 cup roasted salted cashews or almonds. Pair with sparkling wine or a festive mocktail for a perfect NYE treat.

Required Tools

Large mixing bowl, small saucepan, baking sheet, parchment paper, spatula

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (butter), gluten (pretzels, some cereals), and soy (chocolate). May contain nuts if added or present in chocolates. Double-check candy and cereal labels for allergens.

A bowl of delicious Midnight Snack Mix, crunchy with honey, perfect for game nights or parties. Save
A bowl of delicious Midnight Snack Mix, crunchy with honey, perfect for game nights or parties. | nachohaha.com

This snack mix is quick to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser at any festive gathering.

Gold and Black Midnight Snack

Sweet and savory mix with cocoa cereal, caramel popcorn, pretzels, and chocolate accents for a festive crunch.

Prep duration
10 min
Time to cook
10 min
Complete duration
20 min
Created by Carlos Vega


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 8 Portions

Dietary requirements Meat-free

Components

Crunchy Base

01 3 cups black cocoa cereal (Oreos or similar)
02 2 cups mini pretzel twists
03 1 cup caramel popcorn

Gold & Black Accents

01 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
02 1/2 cup chocolate-covered espresso beans (optional, adults only)
03 1/2 cup gold candy-coated chocolates (e.g., gold M&Ms)
04 1/2 cup gold star sprinkles or edible glitter

Sweet & Savory Coating

01 1/4 cup unsalted butter
02 2 tablespoons honey
03 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

Phase 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set the oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Combine Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix black cocoa cereal, mini pretzel twists, and caramel popcorn until evenly distributed.

Phase 03

Prepare Coating: Melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in honey and sea salt until the mixture is smooth.

Phase 04

Coat Snack Mix: Pour the butter mixture evenly over the cereal mixture. Gently toss to coat all ingredients uniformly.

Phase 05

Bake the Mix: Spread the coated mix evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until aroma develops and mix begins to crisp.

Phase 06

Cool the Mix: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the mix to cool completely.

Phase 07

Add Accents and Serve: Transfer cooled mix to a large bowl. Fold in dark chocolate chips, espresso beans if using, gold candy-coated chocolates, and gold star sprinkles. Toss gently and serve in bowls or package for gifting.

Tools needed

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Spatula

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and speak with a healthcare provider if you're concerned about specific ingredients.
  • Contains dairy, gluten, and soy. May contain nuts. Verify candy and cereal labels for allergens.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 235
  • Fats: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 3 g