We have been fans of Puppy Chow (aka muddy buddies) for as long as we can remember. So, of course, we created a Christmas puppy chow!
The red and green M&Ms make it so fun and festive. We love to make this treat for parties or just to have as a snack. It’s great for making ahead of time and stores SO well (you can even freeze it). It’s an easy recipe to have on hand all December long!
Try even more kid-friendly Christmas treats like Christmas Popcorn, Christmas Snack Mix, and Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- A breeze. This easy dessert recipe comes together in only 15 minutes!
- Loved by all. It is definitely kid-friendly but the adults love it too. And it’s easy to double the recipe to make sure you have plenty!
- Great for parties. This is a great treat for get togethers, movie nights or even for gifting to friends. We love to add it to Christmas tins!
Christmas Puppy Chow Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal – Use any variety such as Wheat, Honey-nut, Rice, or Corn Chex cereal. Chex mix brands are all gluten-free except the Wheat Chex.
- ½ cup milk semi-sweet chocolate chips – milk chocolate or dark chocolate
- ½ cup butterscotch chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter – For best results, use regular peanut butter but natural peanut butter, Nutella, seed butter, or nut butter can also be used.
- ½ cup unsalted butter – You can also use margarine or dairy-free butter.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup Christmas M&M’s – We used red and green plain M&Ms, but other flavors can be used.
- optional– add holiday sprinkles or mini pretzels
How to Make Christmas Puppy Chow
PREP. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Place 8 cups Rice Chex in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Place 2 ½ cups powdered sugar in a large Ziploc bag.
HEAT. In a small pot, melt ½ cup butter, ½ cup peanut butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup chocolate chips, and ½ cup butterscotch chips on LOW heat until smooth and well combined, stirring the entire time.
COAT. Pour melted mixture over Rice Chex and toss until all the cereal is evenly coated. Pour this mixture into the bag with the powdered sugar and shake until all the cereal is coated.
COOL. Spread in a single layer on the lined baking sheet to cool.
SERVE. Mix with 1 cup of Holiday M&Ms.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Melt chocolate, peanut butter, and butter low and slow so it stays smooth and doesn’t scorch.
- For less mess, shake the cereal and powdered sugar in a large Ziploc bag.
- Make ahead—store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer.
- Add holiday sprinkles or mini pretzels for even more crunch and fun.
Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups rice chex
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup butterscotch chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup Holiday M&Ms, plain or mint flavor
Instructions
- Place Rice Chex in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Scoop 2 cups powdered sugar into a large Ziploc bag.
- In a small pot, melt butter, peanut butter, vanilla, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips on LOW heat until smooth and well combined, stirring the entire time.
- Pour melted mixture over Rice Chex and mix well until all the cereal is evenly coated.
- Pour this mixture into the bag of powdered sugar and shake until all the cereal is coated.
- Spread over wax paper to cool.
- When ready to serve mix with 1 cup of Holiday M&Ms.
- Store in airtight containers.
Notes
- Melt chocolate, peanut butter, and butter low and slow so it stays smooth and doesn’t scorch.
- For less mess, shake the cereal and powdered sugar in a large Ziploc bag.
- Make ahead—store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer.
- Add holiday sprinkles or mini pretzels for even more crunch and fun.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.
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This recipe was originally published December 2014.
I made this tonight as Christmas gifts for friends. I used red & green holiday peanut butter m&ms. The thought of using mint in a chocolate peanut butter recipe just didn’t compute! I also swapped the butterscotch with white chocolate chips because I couldn’t find my butterscotch chips when I was ready to start. Taste was great! My 7 year old taste-tester heartily approved.
Does this ship well? Not international, just one coast to the Midwest kind of thing. If I make sure it cools completely obviously. Just gonna bag in a couple cellophane treat bags and then a giant ziplock perhaps? I mean if it’s fine to freeze without getting mushy. I think I’m thinking of stuff with powdered sugar frosting “melting”. I think this is more stable because of the chocolate perhaps.
Great recipe! I’m wondering if it freezes? And how long will it keep?
Thanks!
Yes, you can freeze them. Freeze the prepared muddy buddies in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Then let it thaw in the fridge and eat from there!
My all time favorite treat made even better with the addition of butterscotch and vanilla!
This will be a Christmas staple!!!
Perfect,easy gift for my neighbors.
This was so good! So quick and easy to make and was a big hit at a potluck I took it too!!
Love this recipe! I use dairy free chocolate chips & butter and it turns out great.
Can’t wait to give this as neighbor gifts!
Such a fun neighbor gift!
So yummy
So yummy and easy to make. Whole family enjoys!
So easy to make and kids love it!
The best treat for kiddos and adults alike!
Such a great recipe, easy to follow directions. My go to puppy chow recipe.
Can’t go wrong with festive puppy chow! So yummy!
Such a great treat for the kids to help make in the kitchen! Plus, who doesn’t love puppy chow, especially this one!
This is easy and great for kids to help with!
Easy and the perfect movie night snack!
Fun and easy
My kids love making this together! So yummy!
This is so yummy and easy to make. I love it! This makes great xmas gifts!
This is my favorite go to sweet treat! And so easy!
My family loves this festive twist on muddy buddies!
This is always a winner in my house!!
Yummy!!! Such an amazing recipe!!❤
This Christmas Chow is so Fun and Festive! Its the perfect party treat!
Making this for our movie night snack tonight!! We love it so much, especially with m&m’s!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing christmas chow recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
My SIL has celiac and puppy chow is one of our go to treats when we get together as a family. This recipe is delicious and I love this holiday version.
My son begs me to make puppy chow all the time & loves this version even more, because of the m&m’s. His two favorite snacks!!
Puppy chow….another favorite snack that disappears quite quickly.
My husband doe like PEANUT butter at all. So we Use MARSHMALLOW cream.
That works too 🙂 I’ll have to try! Thank you!
its a great recipe.
Thank you!! I am glad you like it!!
Made this exact recipe 3 years ago and EVERYONE LOVES THIS. Now my FRIENDS and family ask for it every christmas! Its so easy to make.
Yay!! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Hello krIstyn. Well, you haVE done it yet again! I cannot tell you how many of your recipes aRe my favoRites and in our rotation. This is so good. The chilDren and granDchildren are coming next week for cookie decorating and cHristmas craft weekend. This along with several other recipes of yours will cover the table. Thank you. Merry christmas and god bless. Laura
That is so nice of you!! Makes me so happy to hear! Thank you so much & have fun with your family!
Love a of them
Thank you so much!
On the Christmas Chow recipe, how many servings does it make?
Great idea Lily to sell drawings and candy and I hope that little girl did not die thank you for making a card to her I live in Utah too your baby brother Wesley is cute
This looks great and I am going to try it right now. Just wanted to let you know the directions doesn’t say when to add the vanilla. I will just refer to the recipe on the box. Thanks for the fun recipe.
Thanks for the heads up! I will fix the recipe now. 🙂
This. Looks. SOOOOOO. Good. Job well done!
Looks delicious!
I LOVE the additional ingredients. I shared your wonderful recipe on my blog. Am SOOO making these next week. Thanks!
http://www.sewaddiction.com/2014/12/christmas-fun-for-everyone.html
You are welcome!! 😀
This looks so delicous and festive!