Whether you call the snack mix Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies, I think we can all agree it’s amazing. In the past, this peanut-buttery delicious snack was only available during the holidays. As it grew in popularity, it became available year-round. Yes, you can buy it in a bag, but making it allows you to customize the mix and, frankly, it tastes much better. Here is how to make Muddy Buddies, or Puppy Chow, in 6 easy steps.
Ingredients
1 (12.8-ounce) box of Rice Chex cereal
1-1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup salted butter
1-1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-1/2 to 5 cups powdered sugar
Directions
- Pour the whole box of cereal into an extra-large bowl—the largest bowl you have. Consider having a second bowl ready in case one isn’t big enough. Once you start adding ingredients, the mixture will multiply and grow quite large.
- Place chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in another large microwave-safe bowl. Heat this mixture in the microwave for 60 seconds. Keep an eye on the mixture as it’s melting—chocolate chips can easily burn in the microwave. After 60 seconds, remove the mixture and stir until smooth. If it isn't completely smooth, microwave for another 30 seconds.
- Stir the vanilla extract into the chocolate chip mixture.
- Pour the chocolate chip mixture over the Chex cereal. Stir gently with a spatula, folding the chocolate and peanut butter into the cereal until all of the cereal is covered in chocolate. DO NOT OVER-MIX. It is easy to over-mix at this point. Chunks are expected. It’s okay if pieces clump together. Over-mixing will break the cereal pieces, and you'll end up with chocolate goop.
- Pour the powdered sugar into the mix all at once. There is no need to measure how much you are using. Dump it into the mixture. If you are using two bowls, divide the powdered sugar between the two bowls. The goal is to make the cereal pieces completely white.
- When finished, allow the mixture to cool, and store it in an airtight container. There is no need to refrigerate.
Tips and Tricks
- You can make Cake Batter Muddy Buddies by using dry cake mix, vanilla almond bark, and powdered sugar. It's a fantastic substitute for those who don't like or are allergic to peanut butter.
- If you are a fan of pumpkin spice, consider using Cinnamon Chex, pumpkin pie Hershey's kisses, and cream cheese frosting as a substitute.
- Another great substitute is mint. If you love mint flavor, add mint chips instead of chocolate. Mix half of the Chex cereal using chocolate and the other half using the mint chips, then combine the halves after both mixtures have been covered with powdered sugar.
- If you're having a hard time mixing, consider combining the Chex mix and chocolate in a turkey baking or Ziplock bag. Mixing in a bag will allow you to more easily combine the ingredients without making a mess.
- Be careful when mixing the cereal and chocolate, as it can be easy to burn yourself if the chocolate is too hot.
