Introduction

Christmas Puppy Chow is a festive twist on a beloved snack mix that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. Sweet, chocolatey, and crunchy with a pop of colorful M&M’s, it’s an easy treat that everyone will enjoy.

The image shows a large white tin filled with a cereal snack coated in white powdered sugar dust, mixed with red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered throughout the cereal pieces. The tin lid, leaning against the side, has a red, white, and gray plaid pattern. Below the tin is a bright red cloth with a textured pattern and a small red bowl filled with more green and red candy-coated chocolates. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

9 cups Rice Chex Cereal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (more or less as needed)
1/2 cup Holiday M&M’s

Instructions

Step 1: Place the Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Stir in the vanilla extract until well incorporated.
Step 4: Pour the chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Gently stir to coat all the cereal pieces evenly. Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes.
Step 5: Add the powdered sugar to the coated cereal. Stir gently but thoroughly until all pieces are well covered. Add more powdered sugar if you wish for a thicker coating.
Step 6: Allow the puppy chow to cool completely, then fold in the Holiday M&M’s. Store the finished mix in an airtight container.

Tips & Variations

For extra festive flair, use red and green M&M’s or add mini marshmallows for a softer texture.
If you prefer a nut-free version, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
Make sure to let the mixture cool slightly before adding powdered sugar to avoid clumping.

Storage

Store your Christmas Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator, which may help maintain freshness. If it loses some crunch, letting it sit at room temperature for a while before serving will restore texture.

How to Serve

A round tin filled with a layer of white parchment paper holds a large pile of snack mix made of square cereal pieces coated with powdered sugar, scattered with green and red candy-coated chocolates. A small metal scoop rests on top, filled with the same snack mix and candies. The tin has a red, gray, and white plaid design. In the foreground, two white mugs filled with light brown hot chocolate sit on a wood-textured surface replaced by a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter can be used, but it will add a bit of extra texture and crunch to the mix.

What can I use if I don’t have a microwave?

You can melt the chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth.

Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 88 reviews

Christmas Puppy Chow is a festive, sweet snack mix featuring crispy Rice Chex cereal coated in a luscious blend of melted chocolate, peanut butter, and butter, then dusted with powdered sugar and sprinkled with holiday-themed M&M’s for a colorful, crunchy treat perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet snack.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: About 12 servings 1x
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

9 cups Rice Chex Cereal
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (more or less as needed)
1/2 cup Holiday M&M’s

Wet Ingredients

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Cereal: Place 9 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl, ensuring it’s ready to be coated.
Melt Chocolate Mixture: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup butter, and 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until the mixture is fully melted and smooth.
Add Vanilla: Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture to enhance the flavor.
Coat the Cereal: Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the Rice Chex cereal. Gently stir using a spatula or spoon until every piece of cereal is thoroughly coated. Allow the mixture to cool for about 5 minutes so it sets slightly.
Add Powdered Sugar: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar over the coated cereal. Stir continuously to ensure every cereal piece is evenly dusted. Add more powdered sugar if desired for extra sweetness and coating.
Cool and Add M&M’s: Let the mixture cool completely to firm up the coating. Once cooled, fold in 1/2 cup of Holiday M&M’s to add a festive burst of color and crunch.
Store: Transfer the Christmas Puppy Chow to an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy until ready to serve.

Notes

Microwave the chocolate mixture in short intervals to prevent burning and ensure smooth melting.
Adjust the amount of powdered sugar based on how sweet and coated you prefer the snack.
Allow the mixture to cool completely before adding M&M’s to prevent them from melting or cracking.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and use allergy-friendly chocolate chips.

Keywords: Christmas Puppy Chow, holiday snack, sweet snack mix, chocolate peanut butter snack, Rice Chex treat, festive M&M recipe