Irresistible Strawberry Chex Mix

This whole strawberry shortcake puppy chow thing started when I was rushing to whip something up for my daughter’s Valentine’s Day party. Had about 20 minutes till drop-off, some Rice Chex my kids got bored of, and a half-bag of white chocolate chips. In a mini stress spiral, I spotted leftover strawberry cake mix from her birthday stash and thought, “Hmm, why not?” Ended up with a ridiculously snackable treat that disappeared before I even got my coat off. The teacher begged for more at the next event. Now if I walk into any function without it, the other moms basically call to check if I’m okay.

A while back, I brought a batch to my book club totally as a last-minute thing, even though I’d obsessed over the cheese board for hours. Guess what everyone went for first? Lisa, who always says sweets aren’t her thing, ate a ton and had pink dust all over her shirt. She asked for how to make it—she just couldn’t help herself. That strawberry-vanilla mix has even grownups snacking like kids.

Effortless Ingredients

• Rice Chex cereal is my base—stays crispy and doesn’t get soggy, honestly way better than other cereals I’ve tried
• White chocolate chips are the move for a creamy layer that makes everything stick together—skip almond bark or melts, it’s just not the same
• Strawberry cake mix is the secret weapon for that real-deal strawberry shortcake taste—just make sure those little strawberry bits are in there
• Powdered sugar is where you get that classic puppy chow finish and balances the sweetness—don’t skip it, even though it seems like extra
• Freeze-dried strawberries add actual berry flavor and make it look extra cute with those red spots—you will probably find them with the salad toppings or dried fruit

Save

Step-by-Step Guide

It comes together fast, so prep everything first.

The first time, I wasn’t ready and had to juggle measurements and melting at the same time—my chocolate turned solid before I got it all mixed in. Now I get every ingredient ready before starting.

White chocolate gets weird if you’re not careful.

I used to overdo the heat and it’d get all weird and chunky. Now I melt it in 20-second bits in the microwave, stirring after each zap—those chips keep their shape until you mix, so don’t let that fool you.

Spread the chocolate as you mix, not just dumping it in.

Pouring all the chocolate on one spot left me with some big gooey chunks and dry bits. A slow pour in a ring while gently stirring is way better.

Don’t just toss all the sugar in at once.

I used to dump the powdered sugar straight in, and ended up with some bites way too sweet and some totally plain. Now I sprinkle it little by little as I mix—way more even coverage.

Freeze-dried strawberries should be crushed, not dust.

Pop them in a zip bag and gently roll with a pin. One time I smashed them too much and got powder, and it lost that fun crunch.

Let everything cool by spreading it out.

If you throw it in a container while it’s warm, it can get kind of soggy. A quick layer on parchment for just five minutes does wonders for the crispness.

My first go was solid, but I kept messing with it. At first I dumped in too much cake mix, so it ended up way sweet and kind of gritty. Scaling that back and adding more powdered sugar made the texture and taste so much better. I like to add mini white chips at the end for fun little sweet bites, and sometimes I stir a splash of vanilla extract into the melted chocolate to boost that ‘shortcake’ taste.

Perfect Pairings

I’ll throw it into little cups for birthday parties—though, let’s be real, everyone just grabs more. At showers, I go for clear bags and ribbons and hand them out as favors. It’s adorable for Valentine’s when you put it with chocolate strawberries and cookies. And on movie nights, it’s awesome with a fruit plate to balance all the sugar.

Tasty Twists

Try swapping the freeze-dried strawberries for crushed golden Oreos and now you’ve got a cookies-and-cream vibe—tastes almost like a strawberry milkshake. For more tang, try mixing in a tablespoon of strawberry lemonade powder with the sugar. At Christmas, I’ll sneak in a drop of peppermint extract for a minty feel. Or melt some dark chocolate and drizzle it over at the end for major chocolate-covered strawberry flavor.

Fresh Ideas

This stays perfectly crunchy in a sealed container on your counter for about a week, but honestly, we’ve never had leftovers. For gifting, I use mason jars and ribbon—those pretty layers of pink and white look awesome. If it’s humid where you live, add a bit more powdered sugar so it doesn’t get sticky. And if you need to make it ahead, toss a piece of parchment on top before sealing to soak up any extra moisture.

Save

I’ve made this for parties, girls’ nights, even just when my family is chanting for it on a Tuesday. It always feels like you spent way more time than you did. My husband’s learned that if he hears cereal rattling in the bowl, he’d better hurry or it’ll all be gone. This was a total last-minute creation that turned into our most-requested family treat. Even my kids’ friends ask for it when they come over, by name.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I try this with another cereal?

Of course! Rice Chex works best for the classic texture, but you could switch it up with Corn Chex or Crispix if you'd like.

→ What can I do if freeze-dried strawberries aren't available?

Totally fine! Skip them or try a tablespoon of strawberry-flavored Jell-O powder for a burst of flavor. Crushed dry strawberries are an option too but will add a chewy texture.

→ Is cake mix necessary?

Not at all! Swap it out for a mix of extra powdered sugar and a few tablespoons of strawberry-flavored Jell-O to get the same taste.

→ How long will it stay good?

Stored in a sealed container at room temperature, it’s good for about a week. But don’t be surprised if everyone eats it the same day!

→ Are there other flavors to try?

You bet! Lemon, chocolate, or funfetti cake mix are fun options. Just use the same method with your favorite flavor.