Luscious Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe: Sweet Snack Magic!

Sweet snacking meets pure delight with this cherry cheesecake puppy chow that delivers a burst of creamy, tangy flavors.

Crunchy Chex cereal transforms into an irresistible treat coated with rich cream cheese and vibrant cherry essence.

Powdered sugar creates a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes each bite completely addictive.

The delightful mix blends classic dessert notes with a playful, snackable format that keeps hands reaching for more.

Every handful promises a perfect balance of sweet and tart, capturing the essence of a beloved cherry cheesecake in a convenient, munching-friendly form.

This no-bake recipe comes together in minutes, making it an ideal treat for spontaneous cravings or last-minute gatherings.

Prepare to fall in love with a snack that turns ordinary moments into delectable celebrations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 212 kcal

Servings: 12

What Goes in Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

• Rice Cereal Squares: Crispy foundation that provides delightful crunch and absorbs the sweet coating perfectly.
• Almond Bark: Smooth melting chocolate that creates a creamy base for the coating, ensuring even coverage.

• Instant Cheesecake Pudding Mix: Adds rich, tangy cheesecake flavor and helps create a velvety texture.
• Cherry-Flavored Gelatin Mix: Brings vibrant cherry taste and beautiful pink color to the snack.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, powdery exterior for the puppy chow.

• Sprinkles: Colorful garnish that adds festive touch and extra visual appeal to the final treat, perfect for special occasions.

Tools for Making Cheesecake Puppy Chow Smooth

• Large Zip-Top Bag: Perfect for mixing dry ingredients and coating cereal with sugar mixture.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl or Tray: Essential for melting almond bark smoothly and evenly.
• Rubber Spatula: Ideal for gently stirring cereal and ensuring even coating with melted almond bark.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for coating rice cereal with melted chocolate.
• Parchment Paper: Helps cereal pieces set and cool without sticking.
• Baking Sheet: Provides a flat surface for spreading and cooling the puppy chow.

Whip Up Cherry Cheesecake Chow with Ease

• Create Flavor Dust

Mix cheesecake pudding mix, cherry gelatin, powdered sugar, and sprinkles in a large sealed bag. Shake until perfectly blended and set aside.

• Transform Cereal with Creamy Goodness

Melt almond bark in microwave, stirring every minute until silky smooth. Pour warm coating over crispy rice squares in a big bowl. Gently fold until every piece gets a luxurious white chocolate embrace.

• Dress Up Your Snack

Pour chocolate-covered cereal into flavor dust bag. Seal and shake wildly until each morsel gets a generous coating of sweet, tangy goodness.

• Cool and Crumble

Spread coated cereal on parchment-lined baking sheet. Let snack cool and harden completely. Break into delightful bite-sized clusters ready for munching.

Puppy Chow Variations You’ll Want to Try

• Slide the baking sheet into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to speed up the setting process and ensure a crisp, clean coating on each cereal piece.
• Store the Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining its delightful crunch and flavor.
• Swap regular rice cereal with gluten-free rice crisp cereal to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste or texture.
• Let children help sprinkle extra colorful jimmies or crushed freeze-dried cherries on top for a personalized touch and interactive cooking experience.
• Replace almond bark with dairy-free white chocolate chips and use non-dairy cream cheese pudding mix to accommodate lactose-intolerant guests while preserving the creamy cheesecake essence.

How to Serve Cherry Cheesecake Chow Creatively

• Sweet Treat Pairings: Sprinkle this cherry cheesecake puppy chow over vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert crunch.
• Movie Night Snack: Pack this treat in small mason jars or cute bags for a perfect cinema companion that adds a sweet twist to your movie experience.
• Brunch Topping: Scatter these bite-sized morsels over yogurt parfaits or breakfast smoothie bowls to elevate your morning meal with a playful cherry cheesecake flavor.
• Gift-Worthy Treat: Package the puppy chow in clear cellophane bags tied with pink ribbons, creating a charming homemade gift for friends or family celebrations.

Storage Tips for Your Cheesecake Chow

• Keep the cherry cheesecake puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness. Cool, dry spots work best to maintain crunch and flavor.
• Enjoy within 5-7 days for optimal taste and texture. Store away from direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent ingredient separation.
• Seal in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags for up to 3 months. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking when storing larger batches.
• Pack in small sealed containers or individual snack bags for picnics, road trips, or office lunch breaks. Compact portions make this snack perfect for on-the-go munching without mess or fuss.

FAQs

• What ingredients give this Puppy Chow its cherry cheesecake flavor?

The cherry-flavored gelatin mix and cheesecake pudding mix create the signature cherry cheesecake taste, adding sweet and tangy notes that mimic the classic dessert flavor profile.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly to make?

Absolutely! Kids can help measure ingredients, shake the coating bag, and mix the cereal. It’s a fun, no-bake recipe that doesn’t require complex cooking skills or sharp utensils.

• Can I use a different type of cereal if I don't have rice cereal squares?

Yes, you can substitute with Chex cereal or similar crispy, square-shaped cereals. The key is using a neutral-flavored cereal that holds the coating well and provides a crunchy texture.

• How long will this Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, this snack will remain fresh and crispy for about 5-7 days. Keep it away from humidity to maintain its crunchy texture.

Indulgent Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade cherry cheesecake puppy chow combines sweet graham cracker crumbs with tangy cream cheese coating. Crunchy snack mix lovers will devour this delightful treat that brings nostalgic dessert flavors into an addictive handful of goodness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 cups rice square cereal (such as Rice Chex)
• 1 pound vanilla-flavored almond bark
• 1 box (3.4 oz / 96 g) instant cheesecake pudding mix
• 1 box (3 oz / 85 g) cherry-flavored gelatin mix
• 1 cup plus 3 tbsps powdered sugar
• Optional: red and pink sprinkles for decoration

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Instructions

1. Mixing Dry Coating: Combine pudding mix, cherry gelatin, powdered sugar, and sprinkles in a spacious zip-top bag, shaking vigorously to create a uniform dry coating blend.
2. Melting Almond Bark: Microwave almond bark in its packaging for two minutes, stirring midway, until achieving a completely smooth and liquid texture.
3. Cereal Preparation: Pour rice cereal into a large mixing bowl, drizzle molten almond bark over the squares, and gently fold using a rubber spatula to ensure comprehensive and even coating.
4. Final Coating Process: Transfer almond bark-coated cereal directly into the prepared zip-top bag with dry mixture, seal tightly, and shake enthusiastically to guarantee complete coverage of each cereal piece.
5. Setting and Cooling: Spread the coated mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single, even layer, allowing it to rest at room temperature until completely firm and transformed into delectable bite-sized clusters.

Notes

• Prevent Clumping: Shake the zip-top bag vigorously to ensure even coating and prevent sugar mixture from forming dense, uneven clusters.
• Bark Melting Technique: Microwave almond bark in short intervals, stirring between each to avoid burning and achieve smooth, consistent texture.
• Cooling Patience: Spread coated cereal in a single layer on parchment paper, allowing complete cooling to ensure crisp, dry texture without sticky residue.
• Flavor Customization: Experiment with different pudding and gelatin mix combinations to create unique variations like strawberry, lemon, or birthday cake flavors.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg