White Chocolate Cherry Kix Clusters

A word of caution: You may not be able to stop munching on these white chocolate cherry Kix clusters. While this easy recipe makes these ideal for kids to make and give as holiday gifts, you might not have anything but crumbs to offer. They are just that delicious.

This recipe is very forgiving. Instead of dried cherries, substitute nuts, chopped pretzels, apricot pieces or any of the kids’ favorite mix-ins. Try dark or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate, or even substitute more colorful candy melts. Parents are needed only for the hot part.

How to make white chocolate cherry Kix clusters

You will need:

2 cups white chocolate chips or candy melts
1 ½ teaspoons vegetable shortening (optional)
1 cup dried cherries
1 ½ cups Kix cereal
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Line a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with parchment or wax paper and set aside. In a large bowl, combine Kix cereal and dried cherries. Place the chocolate chips in a smaller, microwave safe bowl. If desired, add the vegetable shortening (this will thin the chocolate to make it easier to stir, but it isn’t necessary). Melt the chocolate in the microwave on high, at 70 percent power for 90 seconds. Stir and repeat at 30 seconds, then 15 second intervals until fully melted and smooth. Pour the chocolate over the Kix and cherry mixture, using a spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl. Stir the chocolate evenly into the cereal and cherries. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the mixture and stir well. Press the mixture into the baking dish to form an even layer. The mixture will not fill the entire baking dish.

Place in the refrigerator until set very well, 30 minutes to an hour. Break the clusters into pieces, wrap and give. Store leftovers in a sealed container up to five days.

Meaghan Mountford, author of Sugarlicious: 50 Cute and Clever Treats for Every Occasion, has been creating crafty sweets for 15 years. She is especially fond of decorating cookies, marshmallows and putting sweets on sticks. See more on her blog, the decorated cookie.