Gingerbread Puppy Chow Recipe

A Sweet Memory

I first made this treat for my grandkids one snowy afternoon. We were all stuck inside and getting a little restless. I wanted to make something fun that they could help with.

Their little hands were perfect for gently folding the cereal. We made a wonderful, sticky mess. I still laugh at the memory of their powdered sugar mustaches.

The Magic of Spices

This recipe uses warm spices like ginger and cinnamon. They make your whole kitchen smell like a holiday. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Combining them is like making a little potion. This matters because food should delight all your senses. The smell is part of the fun.

Let’s Get Mixing

You will need a very large bowl. Trust me on this. The cereal needs room to dance in the chocolate coating.

Be gentle when you fold everything together. No stirring. This keeps the cereal pieces from breaking into tiny bits. What’s your favorite part of making a messy recipe?

The Shaking Part

Now for the best step. You put the coated cereal in a bag with powdered sugar. Then you shake it all up.

It’s a great job for little helpers. This matters because cooking together makes sweet memories. Fun fact: This puppy chow snack got its name because it looks like dry dog food!

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This snack is perfect for sharing. It’s wonderful for a party or a simple family movie night. The sweet and spicy flavor is a real crowd-pleaser.

Do you have a favorite snack you always make with your family? I would love to hear about it. Tell me in the comments if you give this gingerbread puppy chow a try.

Gingerbread Puppy Chow Recipe
Gingerbread Puppy Chow Recipe

Ingredients:

IngredientAmountNotes
Ground Ginger1 teaspoon
Ground Cinnamon3/4 teaspoon
Ground Nutmeg1/2 teaspoon
Ground Cloves1/4 teaspoon
Cinnamon Chex Cereal8 cups
White Chocolate Chips2 cupsmore for topping
Salted Butter5 tablespoons
Molasses1/4 cup
Vanilla Extract1 teaspoon
Powdered Sugar2 cups

My Cozy Gingerbread Puppy Chow

Oh, this recipe takes me back. It reminds me of snowy afternoons with my grandkids. We would make big batches of this sweet snack. The whole house would smell like warm gingerbread. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

It’s really just a fun, no-bake treat. You get to shake everything up in a bag! I still laugh at that part. It’s messy, but so much fun. Let’s get our bowls ready and make some memories.

See also  Cabbage Roll Casserole

Step 1: First, let’s mix our spices. Get a small bowl. Put in the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Give them a good stir with a spoon. This mix is the heart of our gingerbread flavor. It smells like the holidays, doesn’t it?

Step 2: Now, pour your cinnamon Chex into a very large bowl. I mean it, use the biggest one you have! You need plenty of room for mixing later. (My hard-learned tip: a big bowl saves you from a big mess on the counter!).

Step 3: Time to melt the good stuff. In a saucepan, mix the white chocolate chips, butter, molasses, and vanilla. Keep the heat on medium-low. You must stir until it’s all smooth and shiny. Take it off the heat as soon as it melts.

Step 4: Stir about half of your spice mix into the melted chocolate. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just mix it in well. Now, pour this wonderful, sticky sauce over the cereal in the big bowl.

Step 5: This is the gentle part. Use a big spoon to fold the chocolate into the cereal. Do not stir hard! We don’t want broken pieces. It will be very sticky, like caramel. What’s your favorite no-bake treat to make? Share below!

Step 6: Grab a big plastic bag with a good seal. Put in half of the powdered sugar. Add half of the spice mix you have left. Give the bag a little shake to mix them up inside.

Step 7: Carefully add half of your chocolate-covered cereal to the bag. Seal it tight! Now, shake it gently. Shake it until all the pieces are wearing a white sugar coat. It’s like magic.

Step 8: Spread that first batch out on a baking sheet. I always line mine with parchment paper. It makes cleanup so easy. Then, just repeat with the rest of the cereal and sugar.

Step 9: The hardest part is waiting. Let your puppy chow sit for about 30 minutes. This lets everything set up nicely. If you like, you can sprinkle a few more white chocolate chips on top. Then, it’s ready to eat!

Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Snack, Dessert

Three Fun Twists to Try

Once you know the basics, you can get creative. I love playing with new ideas. Here are a few of my favorite twists on this classic snack. They are all so simple and tasty.

Peppermint Swirl: Add a cup of crushed candy canes to the bag with the powdered sugar. It becomes so festive and minty fresh.

See also  Easy White Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Chocolate Dipped: After it sets, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top. It gives a nice, rich contrast to the sweet gingerbread.

Trail Mix Style: Toss in a cup of pretzel pieces and peanuts with the cereal. It adds a salty crunch that is just wonderful.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Sweet Creation

This puppy chow is perfect for sharing. I like to put it in a big, pretty bowl for everyone to dig into. You can also fill little mason jars for a cute gift. Tie a ribbon around the top.

For a drink, a cold glass of milk is always the best friend for this snack. For the grown-ups, a warm cup of coffee with a dash of cinnamon is just right. The flavors dance together so nicely.

Which would you choose tonight?

Gingerbread Puppy Chow Recipe
Gingerbread Puppy Chow Recipe

Keeping Your Gingerbread Puppy Chow Fresh

This sweet snack is best kept in a sealed container. It will stay crisp for about a week. I keep mine in a big cookie tin on the counter.

You can also freeze it for a month. Just use a freezer-safe bag. Let it thaw on the counter before serving. This keeps it from getting soft.

I once made a triple batch for a holiday party. Having it ready in the freezer saved me. It meant less stress on the party day.

Batch cooking like this is a little gift to yourself. It makes busy days feel simpler and sweeter. You will thank yourself later.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Fixing Common Puppy Chow Problems

Sometimes the chocolate mixture gets too hot. It can make the cereal soggy. Always use low heat and stir a lot.

I remember when my first batch was a sticky mess. I did not use a big enough bowl. Now I use my largest mixing bowl.

Another issue is broken cereal pieces. You must fold the coating gently. Stirring too hard will crush your Chex. This matters for a nice texture.

Getting the coating right builds your kitchen confidence. A perfect batch tastes so much better. It feels like a real success.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Gingerbread Puppy Chow Questions

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use gluten-free Chex cereal. It works just the same.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time? A: Absolutely. Make it up to three days before you need it.

Q: What if I don’t have molasses? A: You can use maple syrup instead. The flavor will be a little different.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Of course. Just cut all the ingredients in half. It is very easy to do.

See also  Easy Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe for Summer

Q: Are the extra white chocolate chips needed? A: No, they are just for looks. Your puppy chow will still be delicious without them.

Fun fact: This snack is called “puppy chow” because it looks like dog food!

Which tip will you try first?

Sharing Your Kitchen Creations

I hope you love making this treat. It always makes my kitchen smell like holidays. I would love to see your batch.

If you take a picture, please share it with me. You can tag my blog on Pinterest. It makes me so happy to see your results.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking! —Elowen Thorn.

Gingerbread Puppy Chow Recipe
Gingerbread Puppy Chow Recipe

Gingerbread Puppy Chow Recipe

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: minutesRest time: 30 minutesTotal time: 45 minutesServings:12 servingsCalories:320 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

Hawaiian macaroni salad is creamy, sweet, and tangy with soft pasta and a simple mayo dressing. This easy side dish works great for BBQs, potlucks, and family dinners.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.
  2. Pour the cinnamon Chex cereal into a large (larger than you think you need!) mixing bowl. Set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt the white chocolate chips, butter, molasses and vanilla extract over medium-low heat. Stir until smooth, do not simmer and remove from the heat as soon as it fully melts.
  4. Measure half of the dry spice mixture into the chocolate (it doesn’t have to be exact) and stir.
  5. Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal, gently folding to coat fully. Do not stir, the pieces will break. The mixture will be sticky like caramel.
  6. In a large plastic airtight bag, add half of the powdered sugar and half of the remaining spice mixture, tossing to combine evenly.
  7. Add half of the chocolate covered Chex cereal, sealing and gently shaking to coat.
  8. Turn the cereal out onto a large rimmed baking sheet covered in parchment paper.
  9. Add the remaining powdered sugar and spice mix to the plastic bag and continue with the other half of the cereal.
  10. Allow to set for at least 30 minutes.
  11. If desired, top with additional white chocolate chips.
  12. If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Notes

    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Keywords:Gingerbread, Puppy Chow, Chex Mix, Snack, Holiday