Festive Crackly Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe for Holiday Joy

Chocolate-coated cereal with a festive Christmas puppy chow recipe sparks joy in every sweet-toothed home baker’s heart.

Crisp, sugary, and utterly irresistible, this treat delivers holiday cheer in bite-sized morsels.

The classic snack mix gets a seasonal upgrade with peppermint and white chocolate.

Powdered sugar dusts each morsel like fresh snowfall, creating a magical winter wonderland in your kitchen.

Candy cane pieces add a delightful crunch and festive flair to this beloved classic.

Kids and adults alike will devour this simple yet spectacular holiday snack.

Whip up a batch and watch smiles spread faster than melted chocolate.

FAQs

• What is the main ingredient in Christmas Puppy Chow?

The main ingredient is Rice Chex cereal, which serves as the base for this festive sweet snack.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, Christmas Puppy Chow is super easy to make and fun for children to help prepare, requiring no baking and simple mixing steps.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare Christmas Puppy Chow several days in advance and store it in an airtight container, making it perfect for holiday gatherings.

• Are there any potential allergens in this recipe?

The recipe typically contains wheat (from cereal), dairy (from chocolate), and potentially nuts, so check ingredients carefully for specific dietary restrictions.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 12

What Goes into Christmas Puppy Chow

• Rice Chex Cereal: Crispy foundation that provides delightful crunch and absorbs the sweet coating perfectly, select fresh and crunchy cereal for best texture.

• Milk Chocolate Chips, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Rich chocolate that melts smoothly, choose high-quality chips for deeper flavor complexity.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds rich, nutty undertones and helps create silky chocolate mixture, select smooth variety for even blending.

• Powdered Sugar: Createsal snow-like coverage, sift for ultra-fine and even distribution across the puppy chow.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Brings festive cheer and colorful decoration, choose red and green for classic Christmas theme.

Mixing Bowls & Coating Tools for Christmas Puppy Chow

• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container perfect for combining ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Essential for precise chocolate and powdered sugar amounts.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Used for melting chocolate and peanut butter smoothly.
• Wooden spoon or rubber spatula: Great for stirring and coating cereal evenly.
• Zip-top plastic bag: Helps shake and coat cereal with powdered sugar.
• Baking sheet or parchment paper: Provides clean surface for cooling and setting puppy chow.

Instructions to Make Sweet & Crunchy Christmas Puppy Chow

• Prepare Mixing Station

Set up a spacious mixing bowl, creating a cozy workspace for transforming your snack ingredients.

• Melt Chocolate Mixture

In a microwave-safe bowl, gently warm chocolate and peanut butter, stirring until smooth and glossy.

• Coat Cereal

Pour the warm chocolate mixture over Rice Chex, carefully folding and turning until every piece gets a delicious chocolate hug.

• Add Powdered Sugar

Transfer the chocolate-covered cereal into a large sealed container or plastic bag, then shower with powdered sugar, shaking vigorously to create aal winter wonderland coating.

• Chill and Enjoy

Let the puppy chow rest for a few minutes, allowing the sugar to set and create a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Serve in festive bowls and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Tips for Festive Colors and Mix-Ins in Puppy Chow

• Gently melt chocolate and peanut butter together in 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst to prevent burning.
• Sift powdered sugar over the cereal mix for an even, smooth dusting that prevents clumpy coverage.
• Sprinkle crushed candy canes, red and green holiday sprinkles, or white chocolate chips to boost the Christmas theme and add extra crunch.
• Keep puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer preservation without losing its crispy texture.
• Swap standard Rice Chex for gluten-free Rice Chex to make this treat safe for those with gluten sensitivities while maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.

How to Serve Christmas Puppy Chow at Gatherings

• Festive Party Platter: Spread the puppy chow on a large holiday-themed tray, creating a colorful and inviting dessert centerpiece for Christmas gatherings.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Pack the puppy chow in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, making adorable homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or party hosts.
• Movie Night Delight: Serve in individual small bowls or festive paper cups during holiday movie marathons, allowing easy snacking without messy cleanup.
• Dessert Table Showcase: Arrange the puppy chow in a decorative glass bowl surrounded by candy canes and chocolate truffles for a stunning holiday dessert display.

Storage Tips for Christmas Puppy Chow that Stays Crunchy

• Prepare multiple batches ahead of time and store in sealed containers for quick grab-and-go holiday treats.
• Keep puppy chow in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, maintaining its crisp texture and preventing powdered sugar from becoming sticky.
• Portion snacks into small festive bags or mason jars for easy gifting or potluck sharing, adding a personal touch to your holiday gatherings.
• Store at room temperature in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to prevent chocolate from melting and powdered sugar from clumping, ensuring maximum flavor and crunch.

Crunchy Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Festive holiday Puppy Chow delivers classic chocolate and peanut butter comfort in a delightful sweet snack mix. Chex cereal coated with melted chocolate and powdered sugar creates a perfect party treat for winter celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup red and green M&Ms
• ½ cup holiday sprinkles
• 9 cups (675 g) rice chex cereal
• 1 cup (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup (128 g) peanut butter
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Arrange cereal in a large mixing bowl, creating a pristine canvas for the upcoming culinary magic.
2. Chocolate Fusion: Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe container, melting in short bursts and stirring until achieving a silky, homogeneous mixture.
3. Coating Process: Pour the molten chocolate blend over the cereal, gently folding and enveloping each piece in a rich, glossy embrace.
4. Sugar Transformation: Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into a spacious resealable bag filled with powdered sugar.
5. Blizzard Technique: Seal and shake the bag with enthusiastic vigor, tumbling the contents until each morsel is completely cloaked in a pristine, snowy layer.
6. Setting and Finishing: Spread the sugared delicacy on a parchment-lined tray, gently separating any clumped pieces to create individual, bite-sized treasures.
7. Storage: Preserve the festive treat in an airtight container, maintaining its crisp texture and delectable charm at room temperature.

Notes

Prevent Chocolate Burning: Microwave chocolate mixture slowly and stir frequently to avoid scorching, which can ruin the smooth texture and flavor of the coating.

Balance Coating Consistency: Ensure chocolate mixture is warm but not hot when drizzling over cereal to achieve even distribution without making the cereal soggy.

Shake Strategically: Use gentle, rolling motions when coating with powdered sugar to prevent breaking delicate cereal pieces and create an even, fine sugar layer.

Customize Dietary Needs: Swap traditional ingredients with gluten-free cereal, dairy-free chocolate, or alternative nut butters to accommodate different dietary restrictions while maintaining the recipe’s delightful crunch and sweetness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 267
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg