This Christmas Puppy Chow, also known as reindeer chow or muddy buddies, is a quick and easy holiday treat that features Chex cereal coated in a peanut butter and chocolate mixture and dusted with powdered sugar mixed with holiday M&M's. It's perfect for snacking and sharing with friends and family for the holidays!
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Why this Recipe Works
This Christmas puppy chow recipe is a classic that has been around for a long time. They go by many names, but whether you call them muddy buddies, puppy chow, or something else they're an addictive little sweet treat that everyone loves.
This version adds holiday M&M's for color and is often called reindeer chow. It's a quick and easy snack with the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter and a festive look that is perfect for serving at holiday parties or giving as Christmas gifts to friends and family.
Best of all, you just need a few simple ingredients and around 10 minutes of hands-on time to prepare them!
Ingredient Notes
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Chex Cereal - I used Rice Chex cereal, but any variety will work. Similar cereals like Crispix will also work.
- Chocolate Chips - I used milk chocolate chips, but semi-sweet or white chocolate will also work.
- Peanut Butter - Creamy peanut butter works best in this recipe. See the tips section below if you want to leave it out to accommodate allergies or just aren't a fan.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Melt the butter and chocolate chips in a small pot over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Then add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until smooth.
- Add the cereal to a large mixing bowl, then pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over top and stir until all of the cereal is coated.
- Transfer the cereal to a large resealable plastic bag and pour the powdered sugar in. Seal the bag and toss until the cereal is coated. Let cool for 10 minutes, then mix in the M&M's before serving.
Recipe Variations
You can use this puppy chow recipe as a base and add in other goodies to customize your own Christmas snack mix. Some of my favorite additions are:
- Pretzels
- Peanuts
- Mini Marshmallows
- Other holiday candies
Recipe Tips and FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 10 days. If you keep your hose warm, you may want to store it in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate from melting.
To make the puppy chow without peanut butter, you can use a nut-free substitute like sun butter, or add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in place of the peanut butter. The oil is needed to produce the thinner consistency that the fat from the peanut butter provides.
More Snack and Appetizer Recipes
- Bisquick Sausage Balls
- Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Homemade Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars
- Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
📖 Recipe
Christmas Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 9 cups rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup holiday M&M's
Instructions
- Melt the butter and chocolate chips in a small pot over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Then add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until smooth.
- Add the cereal to a large mixing bowl, then pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over top and stir until all of the cereal is coated.
- Transfer the cereal to a large resealable plastic bag and pour the powdered sugar in. Seal the bag and toss until the cereal is coated. Let cool for 10 minutes, then mix in the M&M's before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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