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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!!
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!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 5 minutes
- 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.
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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Christmas Puppy Chow
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
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.
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!!!