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Sweet and salty Christmas puppy chow is fun and festive, and ready for snacking in only 15 minutes – a perfect treat for sharing!!

Christmas puppy chow with M&Ms in red bowl.
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Fun & Festive!!

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 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!
Chex mix cereal in a white bowl

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. 
  • ยฝ cup milk semi-sweet chocolate chips  milk chocolate or dark chocolate
  • ยฝ cup butterscotch chips
  • ยฝ 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. 
  • ยฝ cup unsalted butter  You can also use margarine or dairy-free butter.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ยฝ 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

  1. PREP. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Place 8 cups Rice Chex in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Place 2 ยฝ cups powdered sugar in a large Ziploc bag.
  2. HEAT. In a small pot, melt ยฝ cup butter, ยฝ cup peanut butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ยฝ cup chocolate chips, and ยฝ cup butterscotch chips on LOW heat until smooth and well combined, stirring the entire time.
  3. 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.
  4. COOL. Spread in a single layer on the lined baking sheet to cool.
  5. SERVE. Mix with 1 cup of Holiday M&Ms.

Use the Microwave

In a large microwave-safe bowl combine the butter, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and vanilla. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until it is smooth and fully melted.

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4.99 from 55 votes

Christmas Puppy Chow

By: Lil’ Luna
Sweet and salty Christmas puppy chow is fun and festive, and ready for snacking in only 15 minutes – a perfect treat for sharing!!
Servings: 8
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 8 cups rice chex
  • ยฝ cup milk chocolate chips
  • ยฝ cup butterscotch chips
  • ยฝ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ยฝ cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2ยฝ 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

Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week, or store in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 632kcal, Carbohydrates: 88g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 443mg, Potassium: 148mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 63g, Vitamin A: 940IU, Vitamin C: 6.2mg, Calcium: 153mg, Iron: 9.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store Christmas Puppy Chow?

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.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.99 from 55 votes (25 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




53 Comments

  1. Laura King says:

    5 stars
    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

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      That is so nice of you!! Makes me so happy to hear! Thank you so much & have fun with your family!

  2. Miche Eversd says:

    Love a of them

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Thank you so much!

  3. kelli says:

    On the Christmas Chow recipe, how many servings does it make?

  4. Jodi Jacobson says:

    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

  5. Christina says:

    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.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Thanks for the heads up! I will fix the recipe now. ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Brie says:

    This. Looks. SOOOOOO. Good. Job well done!

  7. Amy@Europe's Calling says:

    Looks delicious!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      You are welcome!! ๐Ÿ˜€

  8. Amy@theidearoom says:

    This looks so delicous and festive!