Description

Christmas Puppy Chow is a festive, crunchy, and chocolaty snack mix perfect for holiday gatherings. It combines crispy Rice Chex cereal coated in a rich mixture of semisweet chocolate, peanut butter, and butter, dusted with a sweet and slightly cocoa-flavored powdered sugar blend. Added holiday M&Ms and crunchy pretzels bring vibrant colors and textures, making this snack both visually appealing and deliciously addictive for all ages.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Mixture

6 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup creamy peanut butter
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Dry Ingredients

8 cups Rice Chex cereal
2 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Add-ins

2 cups holiday M&Ms
2 cups thin pretzels

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Instructions

Melt Chocolate Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler, gently melt the semisweet chocolate, unsalted butter, and creamy peanut butter until smooth and fully combined. Stir in vanilla extract and kosher salt to enrich the flavor.
Coat the Cereal: Place the Rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal and gently fold with a spatula or wooden spoon until every piece is evenly coated with the chocolate mixture, ensuring no clumps form.
Prepare Powdered Sugar Mixture: In a separate large resealable plastic bag or bowl, combine the confectioner’s sugar with the unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix thoroughly to distribute the cocoa evenly.
Coat with Powdered Sugar: Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into the powdered sugar and cocoa mixture. Seal the bag or mix gently with a spatula until the cereal pieces are well coated with the sugary cocoa dusting, creating a slightly powdery but chocolaty finish.
Add M&Ms and Pretzels: Once coated, carefully fold in the holiday M&Ms and thin pretzels, distributing them evenly for color and crunchy contrast throughout the mix.
Cool and Serve: Spread the puppy chow on a parchment-lined baking sheet or large tray and allow it to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes to let the coating firm up. Store in an airtight container for up to a week and enjoy this perfect holiday snack!

Notes

Use creamy peanut butter for the smoothest coating; natural peanut butter may separate and affect texture.
Be gentle when folding the cereal and add-ins to prevent breaking delicate pretzels.
If you prefer, substitute holiday M&Ms with other seasonal candies or chocolate chips.
Store in an airtight container to keep the puppy chow crisp and fresh for several days.
For a nut-free version, consider swapping peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and avoiding pretzels with possible cross-contamination.