Description
Christmas Puppy Chow is a festive, sweet and salty snack mix featuring Rice Chex cereal coated in a rich peanut butter and chocolate mixture, dusted with powdered sugar and cocoa, and mixed with holiday M&Ms and crunchy pretzels. Perfect for holiday parties and gift-giving.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Mixture
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Dry Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Add-Ins
- 2 cups holiday M&Ms
- 2 cups thin pretzels
Instructions
- Melt Chocolate Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine semisweet chocolate, unsalted butter, and creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until smooth and fully melted. Stir in vanilla extract and kosher salt for flavor balance.
- Coat Cereal: Place the Rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir with a spatula until all cereal pieces are evenly coated with the chocolate peanut butter mixture.
- Add Powdered Sugar Mixture: In a separate large zip-top plastic bag or a large bowl, mix together confectioner’s sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder. Transfer the coated cereal mixture into the bag or bowl and shake or toss gently to fully coat the cereal with the powdered sugar and cocoa mix, creating a snowy, chili chocolate look.
- Add M&Ms and Pretzels: Once the cereal is coated and dry, gently fold in the holiday M&Ms and thin pretzels to the mixture, adding a sweet and salty crunch that enhances the festive snack.
- Cool and Serve: Spread the puppy chow out on a baking sheet or large platter to allow it to set and cool for about 10-15 minutes. Once cooled, transfer to serving bowls or airtight containers for storage.
Notes
- Use a microwave-safe bowl to melt the chocolate mixture to avoid burning.
- Gently stir the cereal and chocolate mixture to avoid breaking the cereal pieces.
- The recipe can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Holiday M&Ms can be substituted with regular M&Ms or other festive candies.
- For a nut-free version, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and ensure chocolate is nut-free.
Keywords: Christmas Puppy Chow, holiday snack mix, puppy chow, peanut butter chocolate snack, festive treats, holiday candy mix