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Christmas Puppy Chow – Just a Taste

March 9, 2024
Janell W. Murphy

The classic sweet, salty and oh-so-addicting snack mix gets a festive holiday upgrade in this quick-fix recipe for Christmas Puppy Chow.

Christmas Puppy Chow with red, green and white M&Ms in a white bowl next to holiday ornaments

I’d be hard-pressed to name a more addicting snack than Puppy Chow. It’s impossible to stick to just a taste of this creamy-meets-crunch, sweet-meets-savory snack… and for good reason!

Also known as Muddy Buddies, Puppy Chow is a classic Midwestern sweet snack mix that’s incredibly chocolatey, rich with peanut butter, and yet still crackles with a crispy center. It’s one of my favorites to serve up at Christmas get-togethers and my #1 go-to homemade item for holiday gifting.

A close-up view of holiday Chex Mix with red, green and white M&Ms

How to Make Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)

Puppy Chow is so simple to mix up, and just takes a few rounds of pouring, mixing and shaking. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter and unsalted butter. Microwave for 30-second increments, stirring between each increment until it’s smooth. After adding vanilla extract, pour the chocolate mixture on top of your cereal in a large mixing bowl, folding until the cereal is well-coated.

Melted chocolate chips and peanut butter over Chex Mix cereal in a clear bowl

Now it’s time to shake, shake, shake! Add the confectioners’ sugar to a large sealable plastic bag then pour the cereal mixture to the bag. Seal the bag and shake until the cereal is well-coated.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper then transfer the puppy chow onto the baking sheet to cool completely. Once cooled, stir in the M&Ms it’s ready to serve!

Homemade muddy buddies in a plastic bag

How Long Does Christmas Puppy Chow Last?

In the off chance you have leftovers, you can store Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Some people even prefer their Puppy Chow slightly chilled. If this is you, by all means feel free to store it sealed in the fridge!

A top-down view of a baking sheet topped with holiday muddy buddies with white, red and green M&Ms

How to Prevent Puppy Chow from Getting Soggy

Allowing your chocolate-coated cereal mix to cool completely before shaking with powdered sugar is the secret to keeping Puppy Chow super crunchy. When you allow the buttery chocolate coating to cool, it keeps your Puppy Chow from absorbing too much powdered sugar (which will make for a soggy Puppy Chow).

If you happen to live in a warmer climate, allow extra time for Puppy Chow to cool. Twenty minutes of chill time is all you need and then you can get to shaking and snacking.

Christmas Puppy Chow with holiday M&Ms in a white serving bowl

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 10 mins

  • In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter and unsalted butter. Microwave for 30-second increments, stirring between each increment, until the mixture is smooth.

  • Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir in the vanilla extract. 

  • Add the cereal to a large bowl then pour the chocolate mixture on top and stir until the cereal is well-coated.

  • Add the confectioners’ sugar to a large sealable plastic bag then add the cereal mixture to the bag. Seal the bag and shake until the cereal is well-coated.

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper then transfer the puppy chow onto the baking sheet to cool completely. Once cooled, stir in the M&Ms and serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

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