A healthy twist on a classic holiday candy treat! White Trash Candy gets a healthy makeover in my version of Not-So-Trashy Candy. Dark chocolate, pretzels, unsweetened dried fruits, and whole grain cereals make the perfect mix of sweet n’ salty flavor while being better for you than the original! This is a holiday snack you can feel good about making AND eating.
With the holiday season coming up soon, we all can anticipate being invited to numerous parties, family gatherings, and get-togethers (smaller than usual this year of course!). If you are anything like me then you like bringing a little something to thank the host for the invite. Preferably something homemade….bonus points if it’s edible. Well in deciding what to make for the holiday season this year, I came up with a wonderfully easy gift you can make your friends and family as a token of appreciation for their hospitality! It’s affordable, festive, and serves as a fun project for your recipient to take part in. Plus it involves mason jars…and we all know those are all the rage right now.
You all have probably heard of White Trash Candy before.
If not, it is basically an amazingly delicious sweet n’ salty trail mix covered in white chocolate. Obviously not the healthiest of options, but it is the holidays after all and small indulgences are a total necessity. However, in keeping with my love of health and nutrition I decided to jazz up the standard recipe and give it a little bit of a of makeover.
Not-So-Trashy Candy
May I present, Not-So-Trashy Candy! Instead of the white chocolate I’ve used dark chocolate (higher in antioxidants and polyphenols from the cocoa), swapped regular pretzels for whole grain gluten-free ones (more whole grain fiber), replaced m&ms with dried fruit (less sugar and artificial coloring), and chose unsalted peanuts as opposed to salted ones!
The result is an equally delicious mix of sweet and salty flavor and an added incentive to indulge because of the increase in nutritional benefits. All it takes is layering the first 5 ingredients in a mason jar and attaching the following recipe to make a creative gift that keeps on giving.
Not-So-Trashy Candy
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
1 cup gluten-free Chex cereal
1 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1/2 cup gluten-free vegan Os cereal (can use Cheerios if not GF or vegan)
1/2 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
1/2 cup gluten-free pretzels, slightly crushed
1 12 oz bag of extra dark vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients except chocolate chips. In a separate microwave safe bowl, pour chocolate chips and microwave for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir. Return to microwave and heat for another 30 seconds. Stir again and continue to microwave until full melted. Pour melted chocolate over the other ingredients and stir to combine evenly.
On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, spread mixture in an even layer and freeze for at least 1 hour. Remove from freezer, break apart into desired pieces and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Voila! As easy as that! No baking or ‘cooking’ required! Just mixing, melting, and freezing. This recipe also happens to be vegan and gluten-free, if you use the specific ingredients I have linked above! 🙂
As I was creating this recipe I started brainstorming some other fun mix-ins that you could add…
+ hemp seeds
+ pistachios
+ goji berries
+ cacao nibs
+ granola
The possibilities are endless! And let’s face it, when you cover something in dark chocolate, it’s BOUND to be delicious!
Let me know if you try this DIY gift out! Or if you make the recipe for yourself! 🙂
Do you prefer receiving homemade or store-bought gifts?
Do you often bring a gift to the hostess when you’re invited to a party?
Ever had White Trash Candy before?
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66 responses to “Not-So-Trashy Candy [Healthy White Trash Candy]”
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we’re on the same wavelength for this one!
I have also made the “white trash candy” and well…. it IS in fact delicious! I love a healthy take on it!
I love receiving homemade gifts like these, and I also love giving them. This reminds me that I need to figure out what I’m making for friends afar this year 🙂
yum, I’d eat that!
YUM!!! this looks amazing! i love making baked good days to pass out during the holidays!
Same here! It’s fun and feels like a great gift from the heart!
I’ve never heard of white trash candy before but this version sounds great!
Oh you must try it then! SO delicious!
Um, I’ve never heard of white trash candy but your version sounds even better! This is such a perfect DIY gift idea- thank you for sharing it with us!
PS: You’ve had ‘puppy chow’ before, right? That stuff is my weakness. SO GOOD.
OMG puppy chow is SOOOO good. Right up there with white trash in addictiveness! LOL
White Trash is one of my FAVORITES…and this new rendition is right up my alley [slash] current pattern of behavior of covering anything I can find in dark chocolate.
Yeah dark chocolate on ANYTHING is pretty much a guaranteed WIN.
What a great way to elevate candy and make it a special gift.
Thanks Christie! Let me know if you try it!
Great mix! Love the ease of it and I really love your ideas for other mix ins! Yum! Stopping by from SITS.
How fun! I’d love to get a jar of this mix!
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing! That will be a wonderful present! Looks and tastes delicious, and healthier too! Will have to make a double batch to sustain my training….yum!
Ha ha! Love the name! ANd of course, I’d rather receive homemade gifts…they are the best! Great idea.
YUM – your version looks so much more appealing and tasty that the original one!
[…] Healthy Candy Trail Mix: We have all seen those candy trail mix options that are oh-so-tempting. Why ruin all your hard work when you can eat this “not so trashy” candy trail mix without trashing your day! […]
Any candy mixes that have chocolate and crunchy sweet and salty mix-ins is a WIN in my book! YUMMY!
Sweet n’ salty is the best for sure!!
Ooh we used to make chex mix all the time it’s so good! Thanks for linking up today
Thanks Deb! You’re so welcome!!
Ha I never knew it was called white trash candy, but I used to love this stuff! Its up there with muddy buddies and all my other favorite cereal snacks. So salty-sweet and delicious?
Isn’t it SO GOOD?! Ugh I love it! Sweet n’ salty is my all time fave!!! <3
healthy candy– now that’s what I like to hear! This looks so darn good, and is such a great alternative to the crazy junk food October brings. I’ve gotta try this soon!
YES please do!! You will LOVE it!
This is so cute, perfect for Halloween! We used to make a white chocolate version of this when I was a kid both at my church and at my Nana’s. It’s nice to see a healthier version here since I haven’t had the regular stuff in over 20 years. Lots of love!<3
★★★★★
Let me know if you try this! It’s so good! Also, did you happen to see the comment I left on your latest post? Just had a quick question!
This looks so delicious! I love the idea of covering the mix in dark chocolate. Stopping by from the Create and Crave party.
Thanks for stopping by, lovely!
Love this healthy take on a fun treat! You could even use white chocolate chips and call it “white trash candy”! LOL! 😉
It’s never a bad thing when dark chocolate meets salt!
Looks tasty!
Michelle
Looks great! I’m always looking for lunch ideas for my kids. Thanks. Visiting from #turnituptuesday
Thanks for stopping by!!
I. Want. Not sure what more there is to say. 😉 Pinning! Stopping by from Wonderful Wednesdays!
You will love this!!
LOL. You have no idea how much I love this recipe. I wish I could grab a handful right off the screen. I would swap out all the ingredients for their gluten-free counterparts. Thankfully Chex cereals offer a wide variety of gluten free options. This is going to be a lot of fun to make, quick and easy, and I won’t feel guilty eating more than one handful.
★★★★★
You will love this!! Let me know when you make it! WARNING: it’s addicting. 😉
Yes! These are the type of recipes we need. Thank you. I could make these for my daughter’s school lunch too. 🙂
Yes for sure!! This is wonderfully kid friendly!!
This looks so, so good!
thank you!
These look lovely! Will definitely try in the next couple of months! #FreeFromFridays
Thank you so much!
I love your take on healthy snacks. I could definitely do with a batch of these babies right now! Thanks for joining in with #FreeFromFridays
YES! It’s so good! Definitely try it!
I could seriously make myself sick on a good trail mix! I get burnt out on regular chex mix so Im intrigued by your recipe!
Me tooooo! It’s so addicting!!
haha, I discovered White Trash back when I was in West Virginia, when my neighbor made me some, and it was pretty darn delicious! 😛 I love the ingredients you threw in! :]
Thanks Farrah! Let me know if you try my version!
Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty. I look forward to what you will share next week! We hope you’ll come back again next Thursday when we open our doors at 9:00 AM EST.
Thanks Marilyn!
Talk about a chocolate upgrade for the typical trail mix recipe! YUM!
Yes for sure! So good.
This is such a fabulous idea. My daughter loves sweets, and I try not to say no too much as I don’t want her to rebel against me when she’s older! But this is a great compromise, can’t wait to try it out! #brilliantblogposts
Thanks for stopping by!
Your Trashy Candy looks awesome! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Miz Helen
★★★★★
Thanks Helen!!
Anything with chocolate!! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
Yes agreed!
[…] pretzels in almond bark, but we didn’t have a name for it. I think this might be it! Anyway, Not So Trashy Candy by Healthy Helper Blog is on my holiday candy recipe list this […]
[…] I thought MAKING my own candy would bring some of the joy back into my Halloween […]
Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday, 511. We will be live for our special Thanksgiving Edition on Tuesday this week, be sure and stop by! Hope you have a very special Thanksgiving!
Miz Helen
★★★★★
Thanks Helen!
This looks and sounds so good. Pinned – I’m gonna make this! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party! Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you this Sunday at the party.