Puppy Chow Recipe
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A classic puppy chow recipe made with melted chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and Chex cereal, all tossed in a powdery confectioner’s sugar coating. Easy to make, irresistible to eat, and the quintessential childhood treat. This powdery, messy treat works perfectly for slumber parties or movie nights. Keep plenty of napkins or wet wipes handy!
I can trace puppy chow all the way back to childhood, yet somehow I have no idea when I ate or made it for the first time. Even Wikipedia isn’t quite sure how long it’s been around, but suggests that this sweet treat dates back to at least the 1980s, and I’m sure I’ve been eating it since then. Made by coating cereal in a mix of melted chocolate, peanut butter, and butter, then tossing it all in confectioner’s sugar, puppy chow (also known as muddy buddies, muddy munch, or reindeer chow, depending on your location) remains my go-to when I’m craving the classic chocolate and peanut butter combo.
Key Puppy Chow Ingredients
- Chex Cereal – I like to make my puppy chow with a mix of rice Chex cereal and corn Chex cereal. Feel free to use one or the other, or to add some wheat Chex into the mix. Generic cereals are fine, too. And if you’re making this recipe in the UK, opt for a similarly-shaped cereal like Shreddies or Malties, or a mix of both. You can also purchase imported Chex on Amazon, or at a specialty grocer like Partridges. (And if it’s on sale, pick up an extra box to make this white chocolate Christmas Chex mix!) Sometimes the “American candy” stores in London carry US cereals, too.
- Chocolate – You can coat the cereal in melted semi sweet chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, or even milk chocolate. I don’t recommend white chocolate for this recipe; combined with the confectioner’s sugar, white chocolate makes the finished cereal mix too cloyingly sweet.
- Peanut Butter – Choose creamy (not chunky) peanut butter. And opt for a commercial brand rather than a “natural” peanut butter—the latter will make your puppy chow too greasy, with an unpleasant oily mouthfeel. You can also replace the plain peanut butter with chocolate peanut butter for an ultra-chocolatey version.
Seasonal Variations
- Halloween – Mix in Halloween M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, or candy eyeballs.
- Thanksgiving or Fall – Add homemade candy corn, Cadbury Harvest Mix, or a pinch of homemade pumpkin spice.
- Christmas – Try Christmas M&Ms, Christmas sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or chocolate nonpareils.
- Wintertime – Toss the puppy chow with dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, candied nuts, maple pecans, other dried fruits like cherries, candied ginger, or candied citrus peels.
Puppy Chow Recipe
- Total Time45 minutes
- Yield800 grams 1x
A classic puppy chow recipe with chocolate, peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, and Chex cereal.
Ingredients
105 grams rice Chex cereal (3 cups)
105 grams corn Chex cereal (3 cups)
160 grams semi sweet chocolate chips (about 1 cup)
210 grams creamy peanut butter (3/4 cup)
45 grams unsalted butter (3 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
270 grams confectioner’s sugar (about 2 cups)
Instructions
Line a half sheet rimmed baking tray with parchment, wax paper, or a silicone mat. Set aside.
Add the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter to a large metal bowl. Sit bowl over a pan of simmering water to create a bain-marie, or double boiler.
Melt, stirring gently with a whisk, until smooth and completely melted. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Remove from heat. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, gently stir the cereal into the melted chocolate.
Scoop about 3/4 of the confectioner’s sugar into a large plastic food storage bag.
Add the chocolate-coated cereal, then seal the bag and shake vigorously to coat. Add the remaining sugar and shake again.
Spread coated cereal on prepared baking tray. Set aside to cool at room temperature, about 30 minutes, or until set.
Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cook
Other Snack and Appetizer Recipes You Might Enjoy
Cookie Dough Hummus
Pumpkin Dip
Spiced Nuts
Candied Ginger
Hot Cocoa Dip
Maple Cinnamon Pecans
Peanut Butter Trail Mix
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
