Christmas Muddy Buddies is a delicious peanut butter and chocolate dessert that is crunchy and sweet. Add in the holiday M&M’s for the perfect crunch. Give this festive no bake treat a try.
Muddy Buddies or also known as puppy chow is one of our favorites all year round. This Christmas puppy chow has festive colors that scream Christmas!
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Why I Love This Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
This Christmas puppy chow recipe is a game changer for a perfect last minute dessert idea.
- No bake
- Easy to Make
- Christmas Treat
- Also known as puppy chow
For another sweet no bake treat try these Little Debbie Christmas Tree truffles!
Ingredients
- Rice Chex, Corn Chex, and Chocolate Chex – As you can see I used a handful of cereal for this recipe. You will find the mix of cereal is going to elevate the flavor.
- Chocolate Chips – You are using chocolate chips I used semisweet chips.
- Butter – So I used butter, it can be salted or unsalted butter.
- Vanilla – The vanilla adds a delicious flavor to the puppy chow.
- Powdered Sugar – This is the coating to the Chex mix so it is sweet and delicious.
- Christmas M&M’s – You will buy a bag of Christmas M&M’s for this, it will add a nice pop of color.
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
Chocolate: You can use milk chocolate, or do half semi-sweet and half milk chocolate.
Peppermint: Change up the flavor entirely, and add peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract, for a minty dessert.
Candies: Instead of M&M’s you can add in crushed peppermint candies, Sixlets, or other candies of choice.
How to Make Christmas Muddy Buddies
Here you will learn how to make Christmas muddy buddies, here is a quick walk through on how it is made.
Step 1: Add Cereal
In a large bowl add all the different Chex cereal in the bowl. Mix well to combine.
Step 2: Melt Chips
In a microwave safe bowl, you will add chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Mix on high for 30 minute increments. Stir well between each heat cycle.
Step 3: Stir in Vanilla and Toss With Cereal
Once the chocolate is melted then you will add in the vanilla. Then pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and toss to coat.
Step 4: Mix with Powdered Sugar
Now you will work in batches mixing the cereal mixture with powdered sugar. Repeat until it is all coated. Then add in the candies. You could also use a storage bag, and shake to make this process a little less messy.
Serving Suggestions
This is a great dessert or snack to serve up to friends and family. Or if you want to make a snack box to gift loved ones at this holiday season, place it in a plastic bag.
Pro Tips
- Work in batches when it comes to coating the cereal in powdered sugar. This ensures all the cereal gets coated.
- Another option is to spread out the cereal mixture once coated in a long baking dish. This will help prevent clumping.
- If you want to make coating the cereal, once you coat the cereal in chocolate, you can add the cereal and powdered sugar to a gallon sized Ziploc bag and shake it well. Sometimes that’s the easiest way to coat them.
Storage
Room Temperature – You can store any of the puppy chow you do not eat right away in an airtight container or sealed bag. This will store for up to 2 weeks.
Freezing – You can freeze muddy buddies in an airtight container and freeze them for 1-2 months. Then thaw it on the counter when you are ready to eat it.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Puppy chow or Muddy Buddies used to be a midwest thing. But you will find that now the world is loving this no bake cereal dessert. It is crunchy, sweet, and delicious.
You can add in pretzels, peanut butter cups, and so much more. Have fun finding different things to mix in the dessert snack mix.
Yes, if you want to use just rice or corn cereal you can. I loved the mix of the different cereals but you are more than welcome to do just one or more types of cereal in your mix.
There is no difference. They are the same recipe but called by two different names.
More No Bake Christmas Recipes
If you like this Christmas mix, give these recipes a try:
Want to make this delicious recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin it so that you can come back to it later.
Christmas Muddy Buddies
Equipment
- large bowls
- gallon sized Ziploc bag optional
Ingredients
- 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 3 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 3 cups Chocolate Chex cereal
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ to 2 cups powdered sugar divided
- 1 cup Christmas M&M candies
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the cereals.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chops, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir vigorously allowing the chocolate to continue melting from the residual heat. If needed, repeat heating in 15 second increments, stirring well after each cycle.
- Add the vanilla to the chocolate mixture and stir to combine.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the cereals and toss to evenly coat the cereal.
- Sprinkle half of the powdered sugar over the chocolate-coated cereal. Toss to coat evenly. Repeat the process with the remaining powdered sugar.
- Toss in the M&M candies.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- Work in batches when it comes to coating the cereal in powdered sugar. This ensures all the cereal gets coated.
- Another option is to spread out the cereal mixture once coated in a long baking dish. This will help prevent clumping.
- If you want to make coating the cereal, once you coat the cereal in chocolate, you can add the cereal and powdered sugar to a gallon sized Ziploc bag and shake it well. Sometimes that’s the easiest way to coat them.
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