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- 6 cups rice Chex cereal - 1 cup creamy peanut butter - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - ½ cup unsalted butter - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 cups powdered sugar - 1 cup holiday sprinkles (red and green) - 1 cup mini marshmallows Gathering the right ingredients is key for this festive treat. I love using rice Chex cereal. It gives the best texture and crunch. Creamy peanut butter blends perfectly with chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate chips add a rich flavor. Unsalted butter will help create a smooth mixture. Vanilla extract gives a nice touch of warmth. You can't forget the powdered sugar, which adds sweetness and a snowy look. Holiday sprinkles bring fun colors, while mini marshmallows add a soft bite. These ingredients come together for a sweet and festive snack that everyone loves. {{ingredient_image_1}} - First, combine 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. - Microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals. Stir after each interval until it becomes smooth. - Next, stir in 1 cup of creamy peanut butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the melted chocolate mixture. - Gently fold in 6 cups of rice Chex cereal until every piece is coated with the chocolate-peanut butter mix. - Now, take a large resealable plastic bag and add 2 cups of powdered sugar. - Carefully transfer the coated Chex mixture into the bag, seal it tightly, and shake well until all the cereal is covered in powdered sugar. - Pour the mixture back into a large bowl. Fold in 1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1 cup of holiday sprinkles for a cheerful look. - Spread the puppy chow onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to cool for about 15-20 minutes. To avoid clumping of cereal, make sure to fold gently. You want every piece of Chex coated but not crushed. If you mix too hard, the cereal can break apart. For a smooth chocolate mixture, melt the chocolate and butter together slowly. Stir every 30 seconds in the microwave until it is creamy and lump-free. Adding peanut butter and vanilla while the mix is warm helps it blend better. Serve the Festive Holiday Puppy Chow in decorative bowls. Choose bright, cheerful colors to match the holiday spirit. You can also use clear treat bags for gifts. Tie them with colorful ribbons for a fun touch. To add some flair, sprinkle extra holiday sprinkles on top before serving. This makes it look even more festive! Want to change the flavor? You can swap peanut butter for sunbutter if someone has a nut allergy. For a different taste, try using almond butter or cashew butter. You can also add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the sweetness. Experiment with flavor to make this treat perfect for everyone! Pro Tips Use High-Quality Chocolate: Opt for high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips for a richer flavor and smoother texture in your puppy chow. Let it Cool Completely: Allow the puppy chow to cool fully on the baking sheet to ensure it sets properly and doesn't clump together. Customize Your Sprinkles: Feel free to use a variety of holiday-themed sprinkles to add color and fun to your puppy chow. Perfect Gift Idea: Package your puppy chow in festive treat bags or jars for a delightful homemade gift during the holiday season. {{image_2}} You can mix it up with different cereals. Instead of rice Chex, try corn Chex. Corn Chex gives a nice crunch and a slightly different taste. You could also use wheat Chex for a heartier bite. If you want something sweet, fruity pebbles work great too. Each cereal adds its own twist to the flavor. It’s fun to experiment! Add more festive cheer with holiday-themed ingredients. For a minty touch, crush some peppermint candies and mix them in. You can also use holiday M&M's for pops of color. Dried cranberries or chopped nuts add texture and flavor. Try adding some cinnamon for a warm spice. These additions make the puppy chow even more special for the season. Boost the flavor with some tasty mix-ins. Drizzle caramel sauce over the puppy chow for a sweet twist. You can also add a dash of sea salt for a salty-sweet combo. For chocolate lovers, consider using white chocolate chips or even butterscotch chips. Each mix-in can change the taste and make it more fun to eat! To keep your Festive Holiday Puppy Chow fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps keep out air and moisture. I suggest placing a layer of parchment paper between layers if you stack it. This avoids sticking and keeps it nice and crunchy. Your Puppy Chow will stay fresh at room temperature for about one week. It’s best to keep it in a cool, dry place. If you find it starts to lose its crunch, it means it’s time to eat it up! You can freeze Puppy Chow for longer storage. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing. When you're ready to eat it, simply take it out and let it thaw at room temperature. It will taste just as good! It takes about 10 minutes to prep. The total time is around 35 minutes. This includes mixing, coating, and cooling the puppy chow. It is a quick treat for busy holiday times. You can whip it up easily for guests or family gatherings. Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry place. It will stay fresh for up to one week. You can also make treat bags for easy sharing. Just add ribbons for a festive look! If you need a substitute for peanut butter, try almond butter. Sunflower seed butter is a great option, too. These alternatives keep a rich flavor and creamy texture. You can also use cashew butter for a different taste. This blog post shared a fun recipe for Festive Holiday Puppy Chow. The ingredients mix cereal, chocolate, and sprinkles. We walked through each step, from melting chocolate to adding marshmallows. Tips ensured you get the best texture and presentation. You can customize flavors and store them easily. In conclusion, this treat is simple, festive, and perfect for sharing. You can make it your own with different cereals and flavors. Try it for your next holiday event!

Festive Holiday Puppy Chow

A delightful and festive treat made with rice Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and holiday sprinkles.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups rice Chex cereal
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup holiday sprinkles (red and green)
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions
 

  • In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and unsalted butter. Microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
  • Stir in the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract into the melted chocolate mixture until well-combined.
  • Add the rice Chex cereal to the bowl and gently fold until all pieces are evenly coated with the chocolate-peanut butter mixture.
  • In a large resealable plastic bag, add the powdered sugar. Carefully transfer the coated Chex mixture into the bag, seal it tightly, and shake until the cereal is completely covered in powdered sugar.
  • Pour the mixture back into a large bowl and gently fold in the mini marshmallows and holiday sprinkles for that festive touch.
  • Spread the puppy chow onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to cool and set for about 15-20 minutes.

Notes

Serve in a decorative bowl or individual treat bags tied with colorful ribbons. Sprinkle more holiday sprinkles on top for a cheerful look!
Keyword holiday treats, puppy chow, snack