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Christmas Chocolate Puppy Chow aka Muddy Buddies

Christmas puppy chow is an easy treat to make with chocolate chips, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and Rice Chex cereal. The recipe can be made with semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate chips for a decadent and sweet treat at all of your Christmas parties.

Puppy Chow Chex

Christmas puppy chow in red and white bowls.


 

The Chex dessert, also known as muddy buddies or reindeer chow, is super easy to make and perfect for snacking and parties.

I added red and green M&M’s to the puppy chow recipe for Christmas, but you can add any colors you’d like.

You can also add some pretzels along with other candies for other holidays like this Halloween muddy buddies recipe.

I love this quick snack because the recipe calls for a few simple ingredients. It makes a great party favor or a delicious movie night snack.

P.S. This is NOT dog food, it is only for humans.

Christmas puppy chow in red and white bowl.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Classic Puppy Chow

Chex cereal in a glass bowl.

Pour the Rice Chex cereal pieces into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Chocolate chips in a glass bowl.

In a medium-sized bowl, add the chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter to a bowl.

Chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter in a glass bowl.

Next, add the butter and peanut butter to the microwave-safe bowl and microwave in increments of 15-seconds until melted, stirring in between.

It took about 45-seconds to melt the ingredients, but your microwave might be more or less powerful than mine, so start with 15-second increments.

Stirring in between each microwave session will help melt the ingredients, as well.

Melted chocolate and vanilla extract in a large glass bowl.

Add the vanilla extract to the mixture and mix it in.

Melted chocolate on top of Chex cereal.

Pour the melted chocolate over the corn Chex and mix until all of the cereal is covered.

Powdered sugar inside of a bag.

Pour half of the powdered sugar into a large plastic bag.

Chex cereal covered in chocolate in a bag with powdered sugar.

Next, add half of the cereal to the bag and gently shake it until all of the cereal is covered with powdered sugar.

To mix the cereal I use a gallon size bag. I only put in half of the powdered sugar and cereal because it makes it easier to shake and cover the cereal.

I used a Ziplock bag for the recipe, but you can use any plastic bag, as long as you keep one end closed.

Reindeer chow spread out on a cookie sheet.

Spread the coated cereal out on a cookie sheet to let the chocolate cool and firm up.

This step isn’t required, but I find it helps keep the cereal from sticking together and the chocolate has a chance to set up a little.

I let it sit there for about 15 minutes on the cookie sheet.

Puppy chow in a red bowl with red and green M&M's.

Toss in the M&M’s and serve!

The recipe is the perfect combination of salty and sweet and makes great party favors at your next Christmas party.

How Do I Store The Homemade Puppy Chow?

You can store the treat in an airtight container or a sealed bag. You can keep the chow on the counter at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Puppy chow in a white and red bowl with M&M's.

Additional Candy Options:

  • Mini marshmallows
  • Dark chocolate chips
  • White chocolate chips
  • Peppermints
  • Pretzels
  • Candy canes
  • Holiday sprinkles

Other Delicious Muddy Buddy Treats

Puppy chow in a red bowl with M&M's.
Puppy chow in three bowls.
Christmas puppy chow in bowls on the counter.

Christmas Puppy Chow

4.50 from 8 votes
Julie Pollitt
Christmas puppy chow is an easy treat to make with chocolate chips, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and Chex cereal.๏ปฟ
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Snacks and Appetizers
Cuisine American
Servings 9 cups
Calories 326 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 to 2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup M&M’s candies

Instructions
 

  • Start by adding the Rice Chex cereal to a large bowl and set aside.
  • Add the chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter to a medium-sized bowl.
  • Melt the chocolate ingredients in the microwave in increments of 15-seconds, stirring in between. It should take approximately 45-seconds to melt the ingredients.
  • Add the vanilla extract to the bowl and mix.
  • Pour the melted chocolate over the Rice Chex cereal and stir until all of the cereal is covered with chocolate.
  • In a large bag, add half of the powdered sugar. Scoop half of the cereal into the bag and shake until it’s coated.
  • Spread the cereal out on a cookie sheet to set up for about 15 minutes.
  • Repeat the process with the remainder of the powdered sugar and cereal.
  • Add the candies to the bowl, mix, and serve.

Video

Notes

This is human chow, NOT for dogs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 326kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 71mgFiber: 2gSugar: 25g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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4.50 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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6 Comments

  1. Excited to make this. The powdered sugar isn’t listed on the recipe card under ingredients. How much do you recommend?

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Oh yikes, thanks for pointing that out. I will go fix it. I would use about 2 to 2.5 cups of powdered sugar.

  2. How many 12oz boxes of cereal would you need for this recipe? Iโ€™m so bad with conversions lol.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      I am terrible at it, too! I bought one family size box of cereal and that was plenty. Enjoy!

  3. Thanks for this recipe. Should I use Salted or Unsalted Butter?

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      You can use either one. I don’t notice a taste difference, and it won’t affect the recipe. Thank you!