White trash is a sweet snack mix that is great for parties or to have around the house to snack on. It is similar to Chex Mix Muddy Buddies™ but without peanut butter or chocolate. There is another version often made that the same time called puppy chow. For around $10, you can make about 5 pounds of both recipes and hand it out for the holidays as gifts. Bonus: this version is gluten free for my friends with dietary restrictions. Just check those ingredients carefully for gluten as some of the generic cereals do include wheat.
A word of caution: this is a very sweet dessert. Like incredibly so. Too much and you’ll be bouncing off the walls for the day. I’ve adjusted the original recipe given to me by a coworker years ago to 3/4 less sugar and it’s still incredibly sweet. Kids adore it as it’s basically the equivalent of eating super sweet cereal. I don’t know the origins of the name or recipe and google came up with lots of variations of both. So I will share what I’ve been told and then we will dive into this simple recipe.
White trash is named so because it uses a trash bag to mix up large quantities all at once and the bag turns white from the powdered sugar. I’ve seen people make this is in gigantic quantities using this method. Another reason behind the name is it’s the poor man’s version of Chex Mix™ recipes that uses a lot more expensive ingredients. Traditionally, white trash candy utilizes generic or store brands over the name brand. Coming from Appalachia, I suspect there are a lot of half truths to the story behind White Trash Trail Mix. Whatever the origins, let’s make some!
If you want to learn how to make white trash snack mix by watching a video, no problem. It’s so easy you’ll be wondering why you haven’t made it before. Don’t have a microwave? You can melt the almond bark on the stove top! Just follow this link to find out how.
White Trash Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 1 pkg (12oz) almond bark or white candy chips
- 3 cups (120g) Rice Squares (Chex Mix™ generic)
- 3 cups (120g) Corn Squares (Chex Mix™ generic)
- 3 cups (120g) Oat Cereal (Cheerios™ generic)
- 2 cups (84g) pretzels (sticks or mini)
- 2 cups (84g) m&ms™ (or other similar candy)
- 1 cup (125g) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Using microwave, place almond bark or white chips into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir for 10 seconds. Thereafter, microwave 10 – 15 seconds at a time, stirring each time. Do this slowly to avoid burning as white chocolate candies burn easily! This takes anywhere from 1 – 3 minutes depending on your microwave. If using a stove top, heat 1" of water in a pan until just simmering. Place candy in a heat proof bowl that will fit on top of pan and stir continuously until just melted. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl or bag, combine all dry ingredients.
- Pour melted candy over ingredients and stir or shake until well coated.
- Stir or shake powder sugar on while still warm.
- Spread out onto a large baking sheet to dry before storing in an airtight container up to 1 month.
I like to add salted peanuts and marshmallows to mine
Oh, that sounds very good, Jolynne! I’ll have to try it next time I make it.
I love this recipe, it is so easy to make, I triple the recipe!
I’m glad you like it and I totally agree! This snack mix also makes a great cheap gift that looks impressive.