Hey, friends!
The holidays are just around the corner, and I have a sweet treat for you!
Today, I’m sharing my festive Christmas Puppy Chow recipe.
It’s crunchy, chocolatey, and oh-so-addictive.
Perfect for holiday parties or cozy nights at home.
Trust me, you’ll want to make a big batch of this stuff!
Let’s dive in!
Ingredient Substitutions
For the Chex cereal, alternative cereals like Rice Krispies or Corn Flakes can be used to maintain the crispy texture. These options are often more readily available and may be more affordable. Adjust the quantity slightly if needed to achieve the desired coating coverage.
Semisweet chocolate chips can be replaced with dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor and potential health benefits, or white chocolate chips for a sweeter taste. Use the same amount as called for in the recipe. For a dairy-free option, carob chips can be substituted, though they may alter the flavor slightly.
Creamy peanut butter can be swapped with almond butter or sunflower seed butter for those with peanut allergies. These alternatives offer similar textures and nutritional profiles. Use the same quantity as peanut butter, but note that the flavor will be slightly different. For a nut-free version, try using cookie butter, which will add a unique spiced flavor to the puppy chow.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 60-75 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 3000-3400
- Protein: 30-50 g
- Fat: 150-180 g
- Carbohydrates: 400-450 g
Ingredients
- 9 cups chex cereal
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups icing sugar
- 1 cup colorful sprinkles
Step 1: Prepare the Cereal Base
Measure your desired amount of Chex cereal and place it in a very large mixing bowl.
Set the bowl aside for later use, ensuring the cereal is ready for when the chocolate mixture is prepared.
Step 2: Melt Butter, Chocolate, and Peanut Butter
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt together butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter.
Stir constantly to prevent the mixture from burning and to ensure a smooth, consistent blend.
Once fully melted, remove from heat and stir in vanilla for added flavor.
Step 3: Combine with Cereal
Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal in the mixing bowl.
Do this in three stages, folding the cereal gently with a spatula as you go.
This will help ensure even coating of each piece without crushing the cereal.
Step 4: Coat with Sugar and Sprinkles
Place powdered sugar and festive sprinkles in a large, airtight plastic bag.
Shake the bag to combine the sugar and sprinkles evenly.
Add the coated Chex cereal to the bag in stages, sealing the bag and tossing gently to cover each piece completely.
Once coated, transfer the cereal to a wax paper-lined rimmed baking sheet.
Step 5: Chill and Set
Once all the cereal is coated and spread out in a single layer on the baking sheet, chill the mix for an hour.
This allows the chocolate to set and the coating to firm up, creating a crunchy texture.
Step 6: Serve and Store
After chilling, remove the cereal mixture from the refrigerator.
You can serve it immediately or choose to keep it at room temperature or chilled until ready to enjoy.
If you’ve tried this recipe, we’d love to hear how it turned out for you!
