I first made this treat for my grandson’s school party. The bowl was empty in minutes. I still laugh at that.
Kids called it “puppy chow.” I call it pure joy. It is a simple mix of cereal, chocolate, and sugar. Making it together is half the fun. What is your favorite name for this snack?
Let’s Get Mixing
First, melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Stir it until it is smooth and shiny.
Pour this warm sauce over the cereal. Be gentle when you toss it. A big bowl helps. Why does this matter? Being careful keeps the cereal from breaking. You want nice, whole pieces.
The Magic Shake
Now for the messy part. Put half the cereal in a bag with the sugar and cocoa. Shake it, shake it, shake it! It is like a little dance.
*Fun fact: The cocoa powder gives it that “muddy” look. That is how it got its name. Let the mix set for an hour. This wait is important. It stops the powder from getting soggy.
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Let me walk you through the steps. It is a very forgiving recipe. Do not worry if you make a little mess. I always do. The best part is shaking the bag. It feels like you are making magic in there. Here is how we make it together.
Step 1: Grab a medium saucepan. Put it on the stove over medium heat. Now, add the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Do not forget that splash of water and vanilla. Stir it all until it becomes a smooth, glossy river. Doesn't that smell amazing? It reminds me of making fudge with my sister.
Step 2: Pour your chocolate Chex cereal into a very large bowl. I mean, use the biggest one you have. Now, slowly pour that warm chocolate sauce over the cereal. Gently toss it with a big spoon. (Here is a hard-learned tip: Do not stir vigorously. The cereal pieces will break, and we want them whole).
Step 3: In a smaller bowl, whisk the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. It will look like a sweet, dark snowstorm. Get a gallon-sized plastic bag that seals tightly. Put half of this sugar mixture into the bag. Then, add half of your sticky cereal. Now for the fun part. Seal that bag and shake, shake, shake.
Step 4: Once it is coated, pour it onto a baking sheet. Do the same thing with the other half. Let it all sit for about an hour. This waiting is the hardest part. Finally, mix in those colorful mini M&Ms. Do you think the M&Ms are the best part? Share below!
Cook Time: 5 mins Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Yield: 12 servings Category: Snack, Dessert
Let's Mix It Up!
This recipe is wonderful as it is. But sometimes, it is fun to play with your food. You can easily change the flavors. Try one of these fun twists next time. They are all so simple and delicious.
Cookie Dough Twist: Use cookie butter instead of peanut butter. Mix in white chocolate chips at the end. It tastes just like eating cookie dough.
Peppermint Party: Use white chocolate chips. Add a tiny drop of peppermint extract. Use crushed candy canes instead of M&Ms. Perfect for the holidays.
Birthcake Buddy: Use funfetti cake mix instead of powdered sugar. Add lots of rainbow sprinkles with the M&Ms. It is a birthday in a bowl.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving Your Snack Mix
I love serving this snack in a big, pretty bowl. It always makes people smile. For a party, you can put it in little paper cups. That way, everyone gets their own portion. It is also wonderful packed in lunchboxes. Just tuck a small container inside. It is a sweet surprise for the middle of the day.
This treat pairs wonderfully with a cold glass of milk. That is my favorite. For the grown-ups, a nice cup of coffee is just right. The bitter coffee tastes so good with the sweet chocolate. Which would you choose tonight?
Easy Muddy Buddy Puppy Chow Recipe
Keeping Your Puppy Chow Perfect
This treat stays fresh for two weeks in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry spot. I keep mine in the cookie jar.
You can freeze it for up to three months. Just leave out the M&Ms until you serve it. Frozen M&Ms can get a little soft.
I once made a huge batch for a party. Storing it properly saved the day. It meant I was ready for guests anytime.
This matters because it saves you time. You can make fun snacks ahead of a busy week. It makes life a little sweeter.
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Fixing Common Puppy Chow Problems
The chocolate can get too thick sometimes. If this happens, add a tiny bit more water. Stir it slowly until it smoothes out.
Be gentle when you mix the cereal. I remember when I was too rough. I ended up with more crumbs than pieces.
Your powdered sugar might not stick well. Make sure your chocolate mix is still a little warm. This helps the sugar cling on.
Fixing these small issues builds your confidence. You learn that little mistakes are okay. Your food will also taste much better.
Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Puppy Chow Questions Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use a gluten-free cereal. Rice Chex works very well.
Q: Can I make it ahead of time? A: Absolutely. It is a great make-ahead snack. Just store it as I mentioned.
Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 5 minutesRest time:1 hour Total time: 15 minutesServings:12 servingsCalories:21 kcal Best Season:Summer
Description
These lemon crinkle cookies bake soft and chewy with a bright citrus flavor and a sweet sugar-coated crackle top. They mix up fast and look great on cookie trays, party tables, or lunchbox snacks.
Ingredients
Instructions
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate, 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter, 4 tablespoons salted butter, 2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and fully combined.
Place the 8 cups chocolate chex cereal* into a large mixing bowl (larger than you think you need) and pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal. Gently toss to coat. Do not stir- the pieces will break.
Combine the 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon Dutch process cocoa powder in a small mixing bowl, whisk together.
Put half of the powdered sugar mixture into an airtight plastic bag along with half of the tacky cereal. Shake to fully coat.
Sift out onto a rimmed baking sheet to set. Repeat with the other half of the powdered sugar mixture and cereal mix.
Allow the snack mix to set for at least 1 hour before transfering to a plastic container. gently mix with the 1/4 cup mini M&M candy.
If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
