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The short answer: Puppy chow, also called muddy buddies, is Chex cereal coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then shaken in powdered sugar.
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Melt 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips, ½ cup of creamy peanut butter and ¼ cup of butter, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla, fold it into 9 cups of rice Chex until coated, then shake it in a big bag with 1½ cups of powdered sugar and spread it on a sheet pan to set. It takes about 15 minutes, needs no oven and makes about 10 cups. Below are the exact amounts, the tricks that keep it from clumping, a peanut-free swap and Christmas versions.
I love cooking with my family during the holidays, and no-bake treats like this are the easiest way to get everyone pitching in, since one person melts, one person stirs and one person shakes the bag.
Puppy chow ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rice Chex or corn Chex | 9 cups | A 12-ounce box is about 12 cups |
| Semisweet chocolate chips | 1 cup | Milk chocolate is sweeter |
| Creamy peanut butter | ½ cup | Sunflower seed butter for peanut-free |
| Butter | ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) | |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | |
| Powdered sugar | 1½ cups | Plus extra for touch-ups |
How to make puppy chow, step by step
- Measure the cereal into your largest bowl.
- Melt the coating. Microwave the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter for 1 minute, stir, then heat in 15-second bursts until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
- Cool it briefly. Let it sit 2 to 3 minutes so it isn't steaming hot.
- Coat the cereal. Pour the mixture over the Chex and fold gently with a spatula until every piece is covered.
- Shake in sugar. Put half the cereal and half the powdered sugar in a 2-gallon zip-top bag, seal it and shake. Repeat with the rest.
- Set. Spread it on a parchment-lined sheet pan for 20 minutes, then store it airtight.
Why puppy chow clumps (and how to fix it)
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Big wet clumps | Coating too hot or thick | Cool 2 to 3 minutes and fold gently |
| Bald spots | Not enough sugar | Add ¼ cup sugar and shake again |
| Soggy after a day | Humid storage | Airtight container, add fresh sugar |
| Grainy chocolate | Overheated in the microwave | Melt in short bursts and stir often |
| Crushed cereal | Stirred too hard | Fold, don't stir |
Christmas puppy chow and other variations
- Christmas mix: stir in 1 cup of red and green M&M's and a handful of pretzels after the sugar coat.
- Peppermint: use white chocolate, skip the peanut butter and add ½ cup of crushed candy canes.
- Gingerbread: add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of ginger to the powdered sugar.
- Two-tone: coat half the cereal in chocolate and half in white chocolate, then mix.
- Peanut-free: sunflower seed butter or extra chocolate. Peanut is one of the major allergens the FDA lists in its food allergy guide, so label treat bags clearly when you give them away.
Because puppy chow is made from ready-to-eat cereal and needs no baking, it's one of the simplest food gifts to make in a big batch. FoodSafety.gov's tips for holiday food gifts say perishable homemade food needs a cold source like gel packs when you ship it, while a dry, room-temperature snack like puppy chow can go in a sturdy tin as is. For more no-bake gifts, see our list of Christmas candy, or browse all our Christmas desserts.
Storing puppy chow
Keep it in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for about a week, or freeze it for up to 2 months. For gifts, fill cellophane bags right after it sets so the sugar coat stays bright, and add a tag listing the ingredients.
Plan your holiday treats and gift bags
One batch costs only a few dollars and fills about 10 small gift bags, which makes it one of the cheapest homemade gifts on a holiday list once you plan the batches.
- Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, $4.99. List every treat bag next to your other gifts and keep the total on budget.
- Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. Add baking day to the week's plan and buy the cereal, chocolate and sugar in one trip.
- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). Both planners plus a cleaning schedule and savings trackers.
Browse the Holiday shop or all our Printables.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you make puppy chow? To make puppy chow, melt 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips with ½ cup of peanut butter and ¼ cup of butter, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and pour it over 9 cups of rice or corn Chex. Shake the coated cereal in a large bag with 1½ cups of powdered sugar until every piece is white, then spread it out to set.
Is puppy chow the same as muddy buddies? Yes, puppy chow and muddy buddies are the same snack. Muddy Buddies is the name General Mills uses on the Chex box, and puppy chow is the name many Midwest families grew up with.
Why is my puppy chow soggy or clumpy? Puppy chow gets soggy or clumpy when the coating is too hot or too thick when the sugar goes on. Let the chocolate mixture cool for 2 to 3 minutes, toss the cereal gently until evenly coated, and add the powdered sugar in two batches.
How do you make puppy chow without peanut butter? Make peanut-free puppy chow by swapping the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or more chocolate. For a nut-free version, also check the cereal and chocolate labels for shared-equipment warnings.
What cereal is best for puppy chow? Rice Chex is the classic cereal for puppy chow because its open squares hold the most coating. Corn Chex works the same way, and a mix of the two is common.
How long does puppy chow last? Puppy chow lasts about 1 week in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it somewhere cool and dry, and toss it with a spoonful of fresh powdered sugar if it starts to look damp.
Can you freeze puppy chow? Yes, puppy chow freezes well for up to 2 months in a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Many people like it cold straight from the freezer; otherwise let it sit 15 minutes before serving.
How do you make Christmas puppy chow? For Christmas puppy chow, stir red and green M&M's, holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes into the finished batch. You can also coat half the cereal in melted white chocolate for a two-tone mix.
How much puppy chow does one batch make? One batch of puppy chow makes about 10 cups, enough to fill 8 to 10 small treat bags or cellophane gift bags for neighbors, teachers or a cookie swap.
Can you make puppy chow with white chocolate? Yes, you can make puppy chow with white chocolate, which is often called white chocolate puppy chow or reindeer chow. Melt the white chocolate gently in short bursts, because it scorches faster than semisweet chocolate.
How do you package puppy chow as a gift? Package puppy chow as a gift in cellophane treat bags, mason jars or holiday tins lined with parchment. Add a tag that lists peanuts, milk and any other allergens so everyone who receives it knows what's inside.
How do I budget for holiday treats and gifts? Budget holiday treats the same way you budget gifts, with a line for each batch and who it's for. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner from HomeBase Paper Co. ($4.99) keeps homemade-gift costs on the same page as store-bought gifts.
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Sources
- FDA: Food allergies, what you need to know fda.gov
- FoodSafety.gov: Holiday tips for food gifts foodsafety.gov
