I love when the tastiest treats are also the easiest to make. Ten years ago my friend Nancy handed each woman in our small group a beautifully wrapped container of Puppy Chow, also known as Muddy Buddies. That was my first time trying this “crazy good” snack. From the first bite I was hooked—and surprised at how simple the recipe was. The combination of cereal, chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar creates an irresistible flavor and crunch. Fair warning: it’s very addictive. Batches have been known to disappear within minutes at my house. Best of all, Chex now offers rice and corn cereal that are gluten-free, making this an easy option for many diets. This makes a wonderful homemade gift for the holidays, a hostess present, or just a special treat for yourself. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Although this recipe is called “Puppy Chow,” it is not for dogs — chocolate is toxic to pets. Many thanks to my friend Jen for the reminder.
| Puppy Chow Recipe – Muddy Buddies |
- 9 cups combination of corn, rice, and/or wheat Chex cereal (use only corn and rice Chex for a gluten-free version)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (check label if gluten-free is required)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Two 1-gallon resealable plastic bags
- Place the cereal in a very large bowl and set aside. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, then microwave an additional 30 seconds. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.
- Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal and gently stir until the cereal is evenly coated.
- Divide the coated cereal into the two 1-gallon resealable bags. Add about 3/4 cup powdered sugar to each bag, seal, and shake until all pieces are well coated in powdered sugar.
- Spread the coated Puppy Chow on waxed or parchment paper to cool. Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
Several people have asked where I found the snowflake pails I used for packaging. I picked them up at Target in the dollar section—perfect little containers for gifting!
