• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • RECIPES
  • FAMILY
    • Family Meals For Weaning
    • The Less-Picky Eater Plan
    • Kitchen Tools for Family Cooking
    • Child Nutrition Through the Years
    • Food Safety at Home
  • VIDEOS
  • START HERE
  • ABOUT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE

Together to Eat logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • FAMILY
  • VIDEOS
  • START HERE
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • FAMILY
    • VIDEOS
    • START HERE
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Sweet Treat Recipes

    Nov 9, 2022 · Dec 12, 2024 This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Elf Munch

    Jump to Recipe

    If you are a chocolate-covered cereal treat loving family you will love this festive Elf Munch! Using the cinnamon cereal gives it that Christmas flavour and dusting it with icing/powdered sugar gives off snowy winter vibes. You can actually leave it like that and keep it simple OR you can go all out with the Christmas decor and add on mini white marshmallows and red and green M&M’s - especially if your Elf on the Shelf will be getting involved!

    elf on the shelf mischief munch

    Once made, like with most other chocolate coated cereal treats, this needs to be stored in the fridge. And trust me, you’ll find yourself sneaking handfuls of this Elf Munch all through the day!

    If you want to use this as an Elf on the Shelf activity, keep reading here - if not jump straight to my Making Elf Munch section.

    Elf on the Shelf Food Ideas

    Elf on the Shelf

    This Elf Munch is a perfect activity for your cheeky Elf on the Shelf to get involved with. Your elf can bring back the ingredients AND recipe to leave out for the kids to find the next morning.

    elf munch mix cereal - family recipes - muddy buddies

    Printable Elf Munch Recipe

    I’ve turned the recipe into a free downloadable elf-style recipe that you can print off and leave out next to your elf with the Elf Munch Ingredients (see in picture below). There’s also a message from your elf at the top of the recipe and a p.s. at the bottom, asking for them to leave him out a little that night. Just hit the button to download the printable recipe from your elf!

    DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE
    Elf on the Shelf baking ideas

    Setting Your Elf on the Shelf - Elf Munch Scene

    You can either set the scene up similar to how I have done, with all ingredients measured out in bowls or just leave the ingredients packets out instead. If you measure them out the night before, cover each bowl with clingfilm and be sure to set an alarm so you have time to come down and uncover everything before the kids get up.

    elf on the shelf inspired mischief munch

    FREE Elf on the Shelf Activity Planner

    When you subscribe to my weekly recipe email, you’ll recieve a FREE Elf on the Shelf Activity Planner to download and print off (pictured below). Here, you can plan out all your cheeky elf’s activities for the month of December.

    Elf on the Shelf Free Printable Downloadable Activity Planner

    The Stars of my Elf Munch

    The Cereal

    There are many different recipes out there with many different cereals, from rice crispy bars, to cornflake cakes to muddy buddies. I wanted these to have a festive flavour so I went for Curiously Cinnamon cereal (if you are in the US use Cinnamon Toast Crunch - it’s very similar). 

    The Chocolate

    You can use your favourite milk chocolate or a cooking chocolate with this recipe. I always use Dr Oetker milk chocolate (35% cocoa solids). 

    Curiously cinnamon chocolate covered cereal

    To Decorate the Elf Munch

    If you are in the US you should be able to get M&M holiday mix which is already just red and green M&M’s.

    You’ll need one large pack of chocolate M&M’s so you can pick out the red and green ones. If you want to leave all the ingredients out in bowls for the kids to see in the morning, like in the picture above, you might want to go for two packets of M&M’s so there is a good amount of the red and green for two seperate bowls. Alternatively, stick with one packet and mix together the red and green M&M’s in one mini bowl. 

    And if you can get a pack of white only mini marshmallows do that, otherwise a pack of pink and white is fine, just pick out the white ones.

    Once you’ve added your M&Ms and your marshmallows, finish with a scatter of Christmas themed cake sprinkles. Stick to red, green and white ones.

    Elf Munch Baking Tips

    When you melt the chocolate and butter together, just be sure to put it over your smallest hob ring and have the pan over the lowest heat. Also make sure to remove the pan from the heat once the chocolate and butter is mostly but not completely melted, then continue to stir until melted once it is off the heat. Otherwise the chocolate could seize up, which will result in the sugar in the chocolate separating from the fat.

    You could melt them in the microwave, but you’d need to microwave them in short bursts, stirring in between. To start with 30 second increments, then the more the chocolate and butter melt, in 20 second increments. Again, remove before completely melted and stir until fully melted.

    Always decorate this Elf Munch on the same day it’s to start being enjoyed as, in the fridge the moisture starts to take away the M&M’s sheen, even by the next day. Especially if you are serving to guests, make it the same day.

    Christmas no bake recipe for kids

    FAQ’s for my Elf Munch

    Can I prepare the ingredients ahead of time?

    All ingredients can be measured out, covered and left at room temp until ready to use.

    Can younger children help make this Elf Munch?

    Whether your Elf on the Shelf leaves this Elf Munch mix for the kids to do or not, this is a great recipe for the kids to get involved with. Just be careful they don’t burn themselves on the hot pan while the chocolate and butter is melting.  

    Can I feed more people with this recipe?

    This recipe makes a generous amount of Elf Munch, I would say it could serve up 8 adults. If its largely going to be eaten by children then it will stretch further. It is easily scaled up to make a larger amount. If you are making for guests, definitely do so the same day as by the next day the M&M’s will start to lose their sheen in the fridge overnight.

    How long can I store this Elf Munch for?

    Once made, you need to carefully transfer the Elf Munch to the fridge to set, which will take a minimum of 30 minutes. Once set, you can cover it with clingfilm (saran wrap) or transfer to a large food container or resealable bag. It can be enjoyed fresh from the fridge for up to a week.

    For more on safe food storage and reheating read here >

    What diets if this Elf Munch suitable for?

    My Elf Munch is egg-free and vegetarian. 

    You Might Like…

    • Christmas Rocky Road
    • Soft Gingerbread Cookies
      Soft Gingerbread Cookies
    • No Bake Orange Cheesecake - orange jelly cheesecake
      No Bake Orange Cheesecake (with jelly)
    • Raspberry Ice Cream Bombe - Christmas Recipes
      Raspberry Ice Cream Bombe
    see all recipes

    Together to Eat is reader-supported. I may earn a small commission from anything bought through links found here.

    elf on the shelf inspired mischief munch

    ELF MUNCH

    This cinnamon cereal and chocolate Elf Munch is completely addictive and simple to make. Plus, it can double as an Elf on the Shelf activity!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Chill time 35 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American, British
    Servings 8

    Equipment

    • Measuring scales / cups
    • Measuring spoons
    • Prep bowls
    • Medium saucepan
    • Cooking spoon
    • Slate or chopping board + baking paper

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 180 g Curiously Cinnamon Cereal / Cinnamon Toast Crunch
    • 300 g milk chocolate I use Dr Oetkers
    • 55 g unsalted butter
    • 1 ½ tablespoons icing sugar / powdered sugar
    • White mini marshmallows
    • Red & green M&M’s buy a large pack (see note 1), if in US buy M&M Holiday Mix
    • Christmas themed sprinkles, green, red, white
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Break the chocolate into a medium-large saucepan. Add the butter. Put the saucepan over the smallest hob ring and put the heat on low. Stir often and once the chocolate is mostly melted, remove from the heat and stir until it's fully melted.
    • Add in the cereal and fold it into the chocolate until completely coated.
    • Spoon the cereal onto a board, platter or baking tray in an even-ish layer. Chill in the fridge for 5 minutes.
    • Then remove from the fridge and dust over the icing sugar using a mini sieve.
    • Dot around your M&M's and marshmallows, the add your sprinkles.
    • Carefully transfer to the fridge to set for at least 30 minutes. See note 2 for storage.

    Notes

    Note 1: If you are leaving the ingredients out in bowls from your elf, you might want to buy 2 packs of M&M’s if you want them to go in separate bowls. Otherwise one pack and mix them together in a mini bowl will be fine.
    Note 2: Once set, cover with clingfilm (saran wrap) or transfer to resealable food bag or storage container. Then store in the fridge for up to one week. Bear in mind if refrigerated for long once decorated the M&M’s will loose their sheen and go cloudy.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 7mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 2gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 172IUCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share by Email
    Made this recipe?Leave a rating & comment at the bottom of this page! If you’ve printed this recipe, scan the QR code below to get back to it quickly online. You could also post a picture on Instagram and tag @kidfriendlyfamilymeals to share it with me.
    QR Code

    More Sweet Treats

    • Mini Egg Yogurt Clusters - mini egg easter treats - easy mini egg recipes
      Mini Egg Yogurt Clusters
    • peanut butter date oat bars - with chocolate
      Peanut Butter Date Oat Bars
    • Peanut Butter Date Spread (& Dip) - family breakfast
      Peanut Butter Date Spread & Dip
    • Slow Cooker Gingerbread Pudding - christmas recipes
      Slow Cooker Gingerbread Pudding

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a comment for me Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Emma Bridgeman, Creator of Together to Eat

    Hi! I’m Emma,

    Welcome to my family food blog. I launched Together to Eat almost two years ago! Here, I create meals for parents who love food and eating together. I carefully consider how each meal can be shared with children of all ages. So whether you have a baby or a teenager, my meals can work for you. I hope my recipes can grow with your family, as they are with mine.

    more about me
    Weaning with family meals course

    Quick & Easy Meals

    • Chicken Alexander - Family Meals
      Chicken Alexander
    • Crispy Pancetta Pasta
    • Hoisin Honey Mustard Pork Meatballs - Family Meals
      Hoisin Honey Mustard Pork Meatballs
    • Canned tuna sushi bowl recipe - family meals FI
      Canned Tuna Sushi Bowl

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe to my weekly email

    Contact

    • Get in touch
    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 Together to Eat. All rights reserved.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required
    x