Leprechaun Bait

Mischievous leprechauns are known for their love of gold and penchant for pranks. According to Irish lore, if you can capture a leprechaun, he must offer you three wishes or lead you to his hidden pot of gold. That’s where this recipe for leprechaun bait comes in!

This sweet and salty dessert is a St. Patrick’s Day riff on a classic puppy chow recipe. It features a leprechaun’s favorite color—green—and a little gold sparkle too. And even if this bait doesn’t happen to snag you any wee leprechauns, it’s sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.

Ingredients for Leprechaun Bait

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• Chex cereal: Chex cereal adds crunch to this tasty mix. You can use rice or corn Chex in this snack mix recipe.
• Mini pretzels: Pretzels add just the right amount of saltiness to counter the sweetness in the mix. The tinier the pretzel, the better.
• Lucky Charms cereal: What leprechaun can resist Lucky Charms? This recipe uses both the cereal and an extra helping of the marshmallows.
• Green M&M’s: Use whatever flavor of green M&M’s you prefer. You can also sub in any other green candy-coated chocolate. If you go that route, check with your local candy store to see if they have bulk green candy-coated chocolate candies. Otherwise, you might have to dig through a few 10-ounce bags of M&M’s to come up with 1/2 cup of green ones. If you plan ahead, stock up on green and red M&M’s during the holiday season; use the red ones for a Valentine’s treat and save the green ones for this leprechaun bait recipe.
• White chocolate chips: For this recipe, use white chocolate chips or melting wafers. Choose a good-quality brand for the best flavor.
• Sanding sugar: A little green and gold sanding sugar adds just the right amount of sparkle to this leprechaun bait Chex mix.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

In a large bowl, combine the Chex, Lucky Charms, miniature pretzels, M&M’s and extra Lucky Charms marshmallows. Set aside.

Step 2: Melt the white chocolate

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt them in the microwave. Start with one minute at 50% power, then stir. Continue cooking in 15- to 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is completely melted.

Step 3: Stir to combine

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

Add the melted chocolate to the dry ingredients and stir to thoroughly combine.

Step 4: Spread into an even layer and let harden

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

Spread the mixture into an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Sprinkle with green and gold sanding sugar. Let sit until the white chocolate hardens, 15 to 20 minutes. Then, break the leprechaun bait into smaller pieces before serving.

Editor’s Tip: Once the white chocolate has been stirred in, work quickly to spread the mixture on the baking sheet. It begins to harden fairly quickly.

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

Leprechaun Bait Variations

• Go green: Add a few drops of green food coloring to the melted white chocolate to enhance the green color of this leprechaun bait recipe.
• Add a little chow: If your leprechauns are peanut butter lovers, use peanut M&M’s and add a cup of classic puppy chow clusters to the mix.
• Get nutty: For even more salty and savory goodness, add salted peanuts or salted almonds.
• Make it pop: Add a cup of freshly popped stovetop popcorn or your favorite brand of bagged popcorn for more crunch.

How to Store Leprechaun Bait

Store leprechaun bait in a resealable bag or airtight container at room temperature.

How long does leprechaun bait last?

Leprechaun bait Chex mix lasts for up to a week when stored properly—if the leprechauns don’t get to it first!

Leprechaun Bait Tips

Susan Bronson for Taste of Home

What’s the best way to melt white chocolate?

There are a few different ways to melt chocolate, but the quickest and easiest way is to use your microwave. Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for one minute at 50% power. Remove from the microwave and stir thoroughly. Then, continue microwaving in 30-second increments, stirring frequently, until the chocolate has thoroughly melted.

What else can you serve with leprechaun bait?

This sweet treat is perfect for serving with other St. Patrick’s Day desserts. And if you plan to go all-in on a St. Paddy’s Day feast, don’t forget the Irish beef stew, soda bread or the Irish-American favorite, corned beef and cabbage.