If you’re anything like me, you love a snack that’s sweet, crunchy, and just a little bit nostalgic — and this Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe hits every single one of those marks. It’s the perfect treat to whip up during the holidays or any time you want to impress guests with minimal effort but maximum flavor. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it a staple in your holiday snack lineup!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You can toss this together in about 15 minutes — perfect for busy holiday prep.
- Deliciously Festive: The sanding sugar adds a colorful holiday sparkle that’s just so fun to serve.
- Kid-Approved Snack: My family (including the little ones) goes crazy for this mix of chocolate and peanut butter.
- Great for Gifting: Pack it in cute jars or bags for adorable homemade holiday gifts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple staples but combine into something irresistible. When shopping, look for good quality peanut butter and chocolate chips because they really make a difference here.
- Chex cereal: I always use the classic rice Chex for that perfect crunchy base that stays crisp even after coating.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: These provide the perfect balance of sweetness without overpowering the peanut butter.
- Smooth peanut butter: Creamy works best to coat evenly and meld with the chocolate.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the chocolate melt smoothly.
- Vanilla extract: This little addition amps up the flavors—don’t skip it!
- Powdered sugar: Essential for that classic “puppy chow” sweet coating.
- Festive sanding sugar: The magic touch that turns this into a holiday showstopper.
Variations
I love that this Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe is so versatile — you can really make it your own whether you want it more chocolatey, nuttier, or even seasonal.
- Nut-Free Version: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter to keep it safe for alergic friends while still yummy.
- Extra Chocolatey: Stir in mini chocolate chips after coating for bursts of pure chocolate in every bite.
- Holiday Spiced: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the melted chocolate mix for a cozy seasonal twist.
- Colorful Twist: Use different colored sanding sugars for birthdays or other celebrations beyond Christmas.
How to Make Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Chex Cereal with a Large Bowl
Start by measuring out those 9 cups of Chex cereal and pouring them into the largest bowl you have. Trust me, bigger is better here — you’ll want plenty of room to gently fold the chocolate mixture without crushing the cereal pieces.
Step 2: Melt and Combine Your Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Butter
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together. Stir constantly so everything blends smoothly and nothing burns. When melted, remove from heat and stir in your vanilla extract. Let it cool for a couple minutes so it’s warm but not hot — this helps it coat the cereal better without turning gooey.
Step 3: Gently Fold Chocolate Mixture over Cereal
Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal in thirds, folding gently each time to coat all the pieces. Be really careful here — you want every piece covered but still crunchy, so no aggressive mixing! The goal is a light, even coating without breaking up the cereal.
Step 4: Coat with Sugars in Sealable Bag
Next, combine powdered sugar and festive sanding sugar in a large airtight plastic bag. Toss the coated cereal in batches inside the bag, shake it up so every square is well covered in sugar, then spread the coated puppy chow out on a wax-paper-lined rimmed baking sheet. This step adds that classic snowy look and festive sparkle.
Step 5: Chill and Set
Pop the baking sheet into the fridge for about an hour to let everything set nice and firm. Then take it out, and you’re ready to serve or store! You can keep it at room temp or chilled depending on your taste and how long you want it to last.
Pro Tips for Making Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe
- Use a Large Bowl: The more room you have for mixing, the less chance of breaking your cereal — this keeps the texture spot-on.
- Let Chocolate Cool a Bit: Waiting 2-3 minutes after melting stops the chocolate from being too hot and clumping your cereal.
- Coat in Batches: Adding cereal gradually to the sugar bag prevents clumping and ensures even coverage.
- Store Airtight: Keeping puppy chow in an airtight container helps maintain its crunch and flavor for days.
How to Serve Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a few extra festive sanding sugar crystals on top right before serving—it just adds that extra sparkle and crunch. Sometimes I even toss in a handful of mini colorful M&Ms for a pop of color and fun texture.
Side Dishes
This puppy chow pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. If I’m hosting a party, I like to offer bowls of mixed nuts or fresh fruit to balance the richness of the snack.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like to serve this puppy chow in festive glass jars tied with ribbon. Another fun idea: layer it in clear treat bags along with popcorn and candies for a DIY snack mix gift or party favor that people rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store the puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh and crunchy for about a week, but honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house!
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, freezing works great. Just place it in a freezer-safe bag or container, and it’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to munch again, just thaw at room temp.
Reheating
Since this is a crunchy snack, reheating isn’t usually necessary. But if you want that “just-made” feeling, pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds to soften the chocolate slightly—just don’t overdo it or it can get mushy.
FAQs
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Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
You definitely can! Crunchy peanut butter will add a little extra texture to your Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe. Just keep in mind the coating might be a touch less smooth, but it’s still delicious.
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How do I prevent the puppy chow from clumping together?
The key is to toss the coated cereal in powdered sugar and sanding sugar in batches using a large sealable bag. Shake gently but thoroughly between each addition. Also, spreading it out on a baking sheet to cool and set helps keep pieces separate.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just be sure to use gluten-free Chex cereal (which is often available) and double-check that your other ingredients, like vanilla extract and peanut butter, don’t contain gluten additives.
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Is it better to store this snack chilled or at room temperature?
Both work well, but I prefer storing it at room temperature in an airtight container. Chilling can make the chocolate coating a bit firmer, which I sometimes like on hotter days, but room temp keeps it perfectly chewy and crunchy.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe is one of those snacks I always keep coming back to because it’s simple, festive, and irresistibly tasty. I love sharing it with friends and family during the holidays — it’s like a little gift in every bite! I can’t wait for you to try it and hear what you think. Once you do, it might just become your go-to party snack too.
Print
Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Puppy Chow recipe is a deliciously sweet and crunchy treat made by coating Chex cereal in a melted chocolate, peanut butter, and butter mixture, then dusting it with powdered and sanding sugars for a perfect holiday snack.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 9 cups Chex cereal
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup festive sanding sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Cereal: Measure 9 cups of Chex cereal and place it in a very large mixing bowl, larger than you anticipate needing, to allow space for mixing.
- Melt Mixture: Over medium heat, melt together the 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, and 1/4 cup butter, stirring constantly until smooth and completely melted.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the melted chocolate mixture from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Let it cool for 2-3 minutes to avoid overheating the cereal during coating.
- Combine with Cereal: Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal in three stages, gently folding each time to evenly coat the cereal without breaking the pieces.
- Coat with Sugars: In a large airtight plastic bag, combine 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 cup festive sanding sugar. Add the coated cereal in batches, tossing to cover thoroughly with the sugar mixture.
- Chill: Spread the sugar-coated cereal onto a wax paper lined rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Chill for 1 hour to allow the coating to set.
- Serve and Store: After chilling, the Christmas Puppy Chow is ready to serve. Store at room temperature or chilled for freshness.
Notes
- Use a large mixing bowl to avoid messes when coating the cereal.
- Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the cereal to prevent cereal breakage.
- Chilling helps the coating set, but the puppy chow can also be enjoyed immediately if preferred.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Festive sanding sugar adds a decorative touch for holiday presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
