Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies) are one of the most nostalgic Christmas candy recipes ever! With just 5 ingredients and only a few minutes to make, this no-bake holiday treat is always a crowd pleaser.
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If you’re from the midwest, you most likely call this holiday treat puppy chow, but it’s also commonly known as muddy buddies. I’m not sure how many batches of puppy chow we make in our house each season, but let’s just say its A LOT! Puppy chow is best when the chocolate peanut butter coated pieces of rice cereal stick together and are coated in powdered sugar….yum! Those chunky pieces are my husbands favorites!
If you are looking for more Christmas candy ideas to gift this holiday season, check out my recipes for Spiced Pecans and Peanut Butter Balls. They make such great gifts packaged up in these cute boxes, tied with ribbon!
What you will need-Grocery List
Puppy Chow is made with just a handful of ingredients are are so easy to put together. Below is a list of everything you will need to make these easy holiday treat.
- Rice Squares Cereal (Chex)
- Peanut Butter
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Butter
- Vanilla Extract
- Powdered Sugar
How to make Puppy Chow
Follow these easy steps for these nostalgic treat!
- In an extra large mixing bowl, pour 8 cups of rice squares (Chex Mix) cereal.
- In a microwavable measuring cup, measure 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter and 1/4 cup butter.
- Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter on high for approximately 1 min and stir. Microwave for additional 30 seconds if needed to ensure mixture is completely melted and smooth.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla to chocolate peanut butter mixture and stir.
- Pour chocolate peanut butter mixture over rice cereal and coat completely using a rubber spatula.
- Once completely coated, pour 2 cups of powdered sugar over cereal.
- Cover bowl completely with Press and Seal plastic wrap ensuring a good seal and shake bowl to coat cereal with powdered sugar. You can also transfer chocolate coated cereal to a gallon sized Ziploc bag and pour powdered sugar in the bag and shake well. *Note-I’ve found the extra large mixing bowl covered with press and seal works well and is easier to coat completely than the Ziploc.
- Transfer puppy chow to an airtight container before serving.
Variations to Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies)
- Dark , white or Milk Chocolate: substitute dark, white or milk chocolate chips for semi-sweet for a different flavor.
- Add Mix-in‘s: add mix-in’s like pretzel sticks, m&m’s or Reece’s pieces for additional crunch and sweetness.
- Peanut Butter substitutions: replace peanut butter with Nutella or another nut butter alternative like almond or cookie butter.
Storing and Packaging Puppy Chow
- For the best taste and freshness: store puppy chow in an airtight container or a Ziplock bag until ready to serve.
- Room temperature: Puppy chow will stay fresh and crunchy for up to one week when kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Refrigerator: Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it will last for up to two weeks.
- Freezer: Although I’ve never had a batch last this long, I hear that puppy chow is great when stored in the freezer!
Don’t forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest board or print out to add to your favorite family recipes!
Happy holiday baking, friend!
Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies)
Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies) are a nostalgic holiday no-bake treat...but, they are really great any time of the year!
Ingredients
- 8 cups rice squares (Chex) cereal
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In an extra large mixing bowl, pour 8 cups of rice squares (Chex Mix) cereal.
- In a microwavable measuring cup, measure 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter and 1/4 cup butter.
- Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter on high for approximately 1 min and stir. Microwave for additional 30 seconds if needed to insure mixture is completely melted and smooth.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla to chocolate peanut butter mixture and stir.
- Pour chocolate peanut butter mixture over rice cereal and coat completely using a rubber spatula.
- Once completely coated, pour 2 cups of powdered sugar over cereal.
- Cover bowl completely with Press and Seal plastic wrap insuring a good seal and shake bowl to coat cereal with powdered sugar. You can also transfer chocolate coated cereal to a gallon sized Ziploc bag and pour powdered sugar in the bag and shake well. *Note-I've found the extra large mixing bowl covered with press and seal works well and is easier to coat completely than the Ziploc.
- Transfer puppy chow to an airtight container before serving.
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