Christmas Puppy Chow: Holiday Muddy Buddies
Crunchy, chocolatey, and coated in powdered sugar “snow,” this Christmas Puppy Chow (also called Holiday Muddy Buddies) is one of the easiest and most beloved holiday snacks you can make. Each bite is sweet, salty, and full of chocolate-peanut butter goodness — the kind of treat that disappears faster than you can say “Merry Christmas!”
Made with crispy Chex cereal, melted chocolate, peanut butter, and festive mix-ins like M&M’s and sprinkles, it’s a no-bake recipe that’s perfect for parties, gift jars, or snacking while wrapping presents. The red and green candies add a cheerful touch, while the light dusting of powdered sugar makes it look like it’s straight out of Santa’s workshop.
Whether you call it Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies, this Christmas version is pure magic — crunchy, sweet, and impossible to resist. Make a big batch — it’ll vanish before the holiday movies even start!
❤️ Why You’ll Love It
- Quick & Easy: 15 minutes, no oven required.
- Perfect Texture: Crunchy cereal coated in silky chocolate and powdered sugar.
- Kid-Friendly: Fun to make (and shake!) together.
- Gift-Worthy: Beautiful in jars, bags, or tins.
- Customizable: Add candies, pretzels, or festive sprinkles.
🍫 Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup red & green M&M’s
- ½ cup mini pretzels, broken (optional)
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Cereal
Place Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
2. Melt the Chocolate Mixture
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.
Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
3. Coat the Cereal
Pour melted chocolate mixture over cereal. Gently stir with a spatula until evenly coated.
4. Add Powdered Sugar
Transfer coated cereal into a large zip-top bag or lidded container. Add powdered sugar. Shake until fully covered and snow-white.
5. Add Festive Touches
Pour back into a large bowl. Stir in M&M’s, pretzels, and sprinkles. Mix lightly to combine.
6. Cool & Store
Spread on parchment paper to set for 10–15 minutes. Store in airtight jars or bags.
🎅 Variations
- Mint Chocolate Puppy Chow: Add a drop of peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.
- White Chocolate Mix: Swap chocolate for white chocolate chips for a “snowy” look.
- Nut-Free Version: Use sunflower butter instead of peanut butter.
- Salty Twist: Add pretzel pieces or roasted peanuts.
⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid
- Overheating the chocolate: Melt in short bursts, stirring often.
- Mixing while too hot: Let it cool slightly before adding sugar.
- Not enough powdered sugar: Use plenty for even coverage.
- Skipping the toss: Shake gently to coat without breaking cereal.
🧑🍳 Expert Tips
- Use good-quality chocolate chips for a smoother coating.
- Add powdered sugar in batches for better coverage.
- Cool completely before packaging to prevent melting.
- Use holiday sprinkles for a colorful, gift-ready look.
- Store in cool, dry areas — not the fridge (it’ll get soggy).
❄️ Storage
- Room Temp: Up to 1 week in an airtight container.
- Fridge: Not recommended (moisture ruins texture).
- Freezer: Up to 1 month in a zip bag — thaw at room temperature before serving.
💬 FAQs
Q1: Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?
Yes — any smooth nut butter works.
Q2: Is this safe for kids?
Yes, but make sure to label it as containing peanuts if gifting.
Q3: Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! It scales perfectly — just use a larger bowl or two bags for shaking.
Q4: Can I use candy melts?
Yes, but traditional chocolate gives the best flavor and texture.
🎁 Final Thoughts
This Christmas Puppy Chow is the kind of snack that brings everyone together — crunchy, chocolatey, and dusted in “snow.” It’s nostalgic, cheerful, and so easy that you’ll find yourself making it more than once this season.
Perfect for parties, teacher gifts, or cozy movie nights, this festive muddy buddy mix captures the spirit of Christmas in every handful. Make it once, and it’ll become a yearly holiday tradition in your kitchen.
Christmas Puppy Chow (Holiday Muddy Buddies)
Ingredients
Method
- Melt chocolate, peanut butter, and butter together.
- Stir in vanilla and pour over cereal.
- Toss to coat evenly.
- Shake with powdered sugar until fully covered.
- Add M&M’s, pretzels, and sprinkles.
- Cool and store airtight.
