Puppy Chow … for Christmas!
I can’t think of a better combination than peanut butter, chocolate, and sugar! Especially when you incorporate mini peanut butter cups, M&M’s, and pretzels to help lend a salty-sweet aspect to this super addictive no-bake Christmas treat. If you’re not familiar with puppy chow (aka Muddy Buddies), classically speaking, it’s Chex cereal tossed in a mixture of melted chocolate and peanut butter, and then tossed in powdered sugar. For my Christmas puppy chow recipe, I upped the ante to the classic with the various add-ins I used, like the M&M’s and peanut butter cups, and I also used Honey Nut Cheerios, too. All those different textures and flavors help to make this a truly loaded snack. Best of all, puppy chow is no-bake, no-fuss, fast and easy, and makes great gifts.
Ingredients in Christmas Puppy Chow
For a peanut buttery holiday snack mix that everyone is going to adore, you’ll need to following common and easy to find fridge and pantry ingredients:
Chex cereal (Corn, rice, or a combo) Cheerios (Honey Nut is preferred, but Regular Cheerios are fine) Creamy peanut butter Butter (use salted if you like a more salty-sweet taste) Chocolate chips or Ghirardelli melting wafers Confectioners’ sugar Unsweetened natural cocoa powder Red and Green M&M’s Mini peanut butter cups Mini pretzels (I used twists, although rods are fine)
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Christmas Puppy Chow
When you’re busy and rushing here, there, and everywhere during the holiday season, I know that quick and easy no-bake Christmas recipes are just the ticket. Here’s an overview of how to make the Christmas muddy buddies:
Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe Variations to Try
There are so many ways to get creative with your Christmas puppy chow! For example:
Incorporate Cornflakes as one of the cereals Add popcorn or caramel corn Use salted or honey roasted peanuts Mini versions of other candies are great, like Snickers, Milky Way, Rolos, or your favorites Rather than melting semi-sweet chocolate, use white chocolate instead Toss in unmelted milk, semi-sweet white, milk, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips Add red and green or holiday-themed sprinkles (check out my Reindeer Chow)
How to Package Puppy Chow for Gifting
If you’re looking for an easy hostess gift, or a little parting gift to send with your guests after a Christmas party you host, Christmas muddy buddies are perfect. Also for teachers, coaches, coworkers, friends and family, they will appreciate the homemade touch. Pack it up in cute little cellophane or festive holiday bags, tie it off with ribbons, and it makes for an adorable presentation.
Recipe Video Tutorial
More No-Bake Christmas Treats:
12 Easy No-Bake Holiday Desserts – No time to bake? Here are 12 FAST and EASY no-bake recipes! Whether you want chocolate, peanut butter, cheesecake, bark, or truffles, these recipes have you covered!! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Chocolate Peanut Butter Stacks – Easy, no-bake treats that are a holiday favorite! They have it all: Salty, sweet, crunchy, and gooey with chocolate and peanut butter! Great for cookie exchanges or impromptu parties! Melt in Your Mouth Homemade Toffee — Irresistible, buttery, ADDICTIVE, and just melts in your mouth!! EASY and perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or cookie exchanges!! Loaded Christmas Bark – This easy, no-bake chocolate bark is loaded with goodies! Oreos, M&M’s, peanuts, pretzels, and sprinkles! Great for holiday parties and cookie exchanges! Salty, sweet, and addictively good! The Easiest Foolproof Fudge Recipe — Look no further than this recipe for the EASIEST and most FOOLPROOF fudge that takes less than 3 minutes to make!! Customize it with your favorite add-ins like cranberries and walnuts! Great for gifts and cookie exchanges!! Buckeye Fudge – Easy, no-cook, no-fuss, foolproof fudge that’s ready in 1 hour! Dense, chewy and full of rich peanut butter flavor with a smooth, fudgy chocolate topping! It’s irresistible! Reindeer Chow — A holiday twist on classic Muddy Buddies that’s EASY, ready in 15 minutes, and perfect for hostess gifts or cookie exchanges!! Chex, chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels, M&M’s, and sprinkles make this dessert snack mix totally IRRESISTIBLE!! Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge – Rich and decadent chocolate fudge adorned with peanut butter swirls! Made in the microwave with just SIX ingredients, there’s no boiling or candy thermometers involved in this FAST and EASY recipe for PERFECT fudge every time!
