Gold and Black Midnight Snack

Featured in: Soft Weekend Treats

This midnight snack combines a crunchy base of black cocoa cereal, pretzel twists, and caramel popcorn with a sweet-savory coating of butter, honey, and sea salt. After a brief bake, it’s tossed with dark chocolate chips, espresso beans, gold candy chocolates, and edible glitter for a festive, crunchy finish. Quick to prepare and great for parties, it offers a delightful balance of rich and salty flavors with gold and black accents.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:36:00 GMT
Close-up view of golden sprinkles adorning a bowl of Gold and Black Midnight Snack Mix. Save
Close-up view of golden sprinkles adorning a bowl of Gold and Black Midnight Snack Mix. | rosewoodoven.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 snack mix is a fun and easy treat I've enjoyed sharing at holiday parties with friends and family.

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.
The delicious Gold and Black Midnight Snack Mix with a hint of dark chocolate, crunchy and festive. Save
The delicious Gold and Black Midnight Snack Mix with a hint of dark chocolate, crunchy and festive. | rosewoodoven.com

Sharing this mix has created many joyful family moments during New Year celebrations.

Notes

Espresso beans add a sophisticated touch—omit for a kid-friendly version.

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.

Perfectly baked Gold and Black Midnight Snack Mix with pretzel twists, ready to be enjoyed. Save
Perfectly baked Gold and Black Midnight Snack Mix with pretzel twists, ready to be enjoyed. | rosewoodoven.com

This Gold and Black Midnight Snack Mix is a perfect blend of flavors to celebrate any festive occasion.

Gold and Black Midnight Snack

Sweet and savory mix combining chocolate, pretzels, and caramel for a festive midnight treat.

Time to Prepare
10 min
Time to Cook
10 min
Complete Duration
20 min
Created by Clara Whitmore


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Serving Size 8 Portions

Dietary Details Meatless

What's Needed

Crunchy Base

01 3 cups black cocoa cereal (e.g., Oreo Os 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, adult consumption 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

How To Make It

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

Melt Coating Ingredients: In a small saucepan, melt unsalted butter over low heat. Stir in honey and sea salt until fully incorporated and smooth.

Step 04

Coat Snack Mix: Drizzle the melted butter mixture evenly over the combined base ingredients. Toss gently to ensure even coating.

Step 05

Bake the Coated Mix: Spread the coated snack mix in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until fragrant and beginning to crisp.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Add Accents and Serve: Transfer the cooled mix to a large bowl. Add dark chocolate chips, chocolate-covered espresso beans (if using), gold candy-coated chocolates, and gold star sprinkles. Toss gently to combine. Serve immediately or package for later enjoyment.

Essential Tools

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

Allergy Warnings

Look over every ingredient for possible allergens and check with your healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (butter), gluten (pretzels, some cereals), and soy (chocolate). May contain nuts if added or present in chocolates. Verify candy and cereal labels for allergens.

Nutrition Details (each serving)

Nutritional numbers are simply a guide and shouldn't replace professional nutrition advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 235
  • Lipids: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 3 g