Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with this irresistible Christmas Puppy Chow! Packed with crispy cereal, rich chocolate, colorful candy pieces, and a dusting of powdered sugar, this festive treat is an absolute must-have for the holiday season. Whether you’re hosting a party, cozying up for a movie night, or simply looking for a delicious snack to enjoy, this Christmas Puppy Chow is sure to knock everyone’s socks off.
Table of Contents
Why Is It Called Puppy Chow?
Puppy chow is given its name, because once combined all the ingredients resemble chunky dog food. Luckily, the taste is far from it!
Also known as monkey munch, muddy buddies, muddy munch, reindeer chow, and doggy bag, puppy chow recipes are popular throughout the Midwest and exist in endless variations – like this Christmas puppy chow recipe!
What’s the Difference Between Muddy Buddies and Puppy Chow?
Muddy Buddies is the name used for the puppy chow variations created and sold by the Chex brand. However, no matter what it’s called, the base of all the recipes is the same!
What’s In Christmas Puppy Chow?
Every version of holiday muddy buddy recipes is different, but we kept things simple!
- Chex Cereal – We use plain Chex cereal but feel free to experiment with different flavors. You could also swap out the Chex for another similar crunchy rice cereal if desired.
- Coconut Oil – This is combined with the chocolate to make it smooth and spreadable.
- Powdered Sugar – Make sure you don’t use granulated sugar!
- Chocolate Chips – We use semi-sweet chocolate chips for melting and extra dark chocolate chips to fold into the mixture. However, you could use one or the other, or fold in white chocolate chips, too!
- Andes Mint Chocolate – These peppermint chocolate candies are chopped up small and stirred into the mix.
- Crushed Peppermints – Not only do these make the Christmas puppy chow look super festive, but they add a satisfying crunch and bright flavor!
How to Make Christmas Puppy Chow
Before you begin, it’s important to note that this Christmas puppy chow recipe….like all puppy chow is MESSY. But that’s part of the fun!
- Melt the chocolate. Combine the chocolate and coconut oil in a small bowl. Heat it in the microwave for intervals of 30 seconds, stirring in between. Be careful not to scorch the chocolate!
- Coat the cereal. Place the cereal in a large bowl, and toss it with the melted chocolate, making sure it is completely coated.
- Toss the ingredients. Add the cereal to a large Ziploc bag along with the powdered sugar and crushed peppermints. Shake to combine and coat all of the ingredients with powdered sugar.
- Combine the Christmas puppy chow. Pour the mixture back into a large bowl, and combine it with the remaining ingredients.
Variations
Puppy chow is super fun to make because there’s no right or wrong way to do it. So, feel free to get creative and experiment with extra mix-ins and flavors!
For instance, some of our favorite variations include:
- Using colored chocolate melts.
- Swapping out the semi-sweet chocolate with white chocolate chips.
- Adding festive sprinkles.
- Drizzling extra melted chocolate or Nutella spread on top before serving.
- Folding in more or different candies like Christmas M&M’s, Reese’s, Rolos, and even chocolate-coated pretzels.
- Mixing in chopped peanuts, pecans, or walnuts.
- Including peanut butter or any other nut or seed butter.
TIP – If you want to make your Christmas puppy chow recipe extra festive, try using food coloring! To do so, omit the chocolate chips, and use red or green candy melts instead! Divide the ingredients in half, and use a green melt for one section and a red melt for the second section.
How to Store
- Store: Transfer any leftovers to a sealable bag or airtight container, and keep it stored at room temperature for up to one week. Or, wrap it up in cute paper, and give it away as gifts!
- Freezer: Puppy chow can be frozen for up to three months! Thaw it in the fridge overnight, or munch on it straight from the freezer!
Common Questions about Christmas Puppy Chow
Get creative with your mix-ins! Add holiday-themed M&Ms, mini marshmallows, pretzel sticks, or even white chocolate chips. For extra flair, sprinkle in some edible glitter or colored sugar crystals.
While Chex cereal is traditional, you can experiment with other cereals like Crispix, Rice Krispies, or even Corn Chex for a different texture. Just keep in mind that the flavor and coating might vary slightly.
If you use gluten-free Chex cereal and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free, then yes, it can be! Always double-check labels to make sure all of the components meet your dietary needs.
Sure! To make a vegan version, use dairy-free chocolate and check that your powdered sugar is vegan. Make sure all of the mix-ins are also vegan-friendly.
More Tasty Holiday Treats
Looking for more treats for parties or the perfect homemade present? We have plenty of easy recipes for holiday sweets!
- Easy Christmas Crack
- Slow Cooker Candy
- Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Slow Cooker Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Slow Cooker Puppy Chow
- 5-Ingredient Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil melted
- 5 cups Chex Rice Cereal
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candy plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup Andes mint chocolate pieces chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate and coconut oil. Heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until completely melted and smooth, stirring in between. Careful not to over heat so the chocolate does not scorch.12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Add the cereal to a large bowl. Pour the melted chocolate ontop, and gently mix to coat the cereal.5 cups Chex Rice Cereal
- In a gallon-sized Ziploc bag, add the powdered sugar, crushed peppermint candy, and chocolate-covered cereal. Shake to toss and combine, making sure the ingredients are completely coated in sugar.1 cup powdered sugar, 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candy
- Pour the mixture into a large bowl, and fold in the dark chocolate chips, mint chocolate candy pieces, and additional peppermint candy, if desired.1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, 1/2 cup Andes mint chocolate pieces
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
