If you’re looking for a delicious and easy treat to enjoy during the holiday season, Christmas Puppy Chow is the perfect choice. This sweet and crunchy snack is a crowd-pleaser and can be made in just a few simple steps, making it ideal for parties, gatherings, or simply as a festive snack at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- The combination of semisweet chocolate, peanut butter, and holiday M&Ms creates a rich and decadent flavor profile.
- With minimal prep time and easy-to-find ingredients, this recipe is perfect for last-minute holiday baking or as a fun activity to do with kids.
- Christmas Puppy Chow can be made in large batches and stored for later, making it a convenient option for meal prep or gift-giving.
Ingredient Notes:
- Semisweet chocolate: Adds a rich and indulgent flavor to the puppy chow.
- Unsalted butter: Helps to melt the chocolate and create a smooth texture.
- Creamy peanut butter: Adds a nutty flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Rice Chex cereal: Provides a crunchy base for the puppy chow.
- Confectioner’s sugar: Coats the puppy chow and adds sweetness.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds a hint of chocolate flavor.
- Holiday M&Ms: Adds a festive touch and a pop of color.
- Thin pretzels: Add a salty crunch to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the semisweet chocolate, butter, and peanut butter in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and kosher salt.
- Gently fold in the Rice Chex cereal until evenly coated.
- In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder.
- Add the chocolate-coated cereal to the bag and shake until well coated.
- Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet to cool and set.
- Once cooled, mix in the holiday M&Ms and pretzels.
- Serve and enjoy!
Helpful Tips:
- For a twist on this classic recipe, try using different flavors of M&Ms or adding chopped nuts for extra crunch.
- Store Christmas Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free pretzels or omit them altogether.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Make sure to use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor.
- Allow the puppy chow to cool completely before adding the M&Ms and pretzels to prevent melting.
Serving Suggestions:
Christmas Puppy Chow is perfect for serving at holiday parties, as a snack during movie night, or as a sweet gift in festive packaging. Pair it with hot cocoa or a glass of milk for a delicious treat.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
To keep the puppy chow fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. If it starts to lose its crunch, simply pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to revive it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use milk chocolate instead of semisweet chocolate?
- While you can use milk chocolate, it may result in a sweeter flavor profile.
- Can I freeze Christmas Puppy Chow?
- It is not recommended to freeze puppy chow as the texture may become soggy.
- Can I use regular Chex cereal instead of Rice Chex?
- Yes, you can use any variety of Chex cereal in this recipe.
- How far in advance can I make Christmas Puppy Chow?
- Christmas Puppy Chow can be made up to a week in advance if stored properly.
Conclusion:
Get into the holiday spirit with this delicious and easy Christmas Puppy Chow recipe. Whether you’re sharing it with friends and family or enjoying it on your own, this festive treat is sure to be a hit. Try it out and let us know how much you love it!
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Christmas Puppy Chow
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas Puppy Chow is a festive and addictive snack mix that combines the flavors of chocolate, peanut butter, and holiday M&Ms with a crunchy texture from Rice Chex cereal and pretzels. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings or as a homemade gift for friends and family.
Ingredients
Chocolate Mixture:
-
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Additional Ingredients:
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups holiday M&Ms
- 2 cups thin pretzels
Instructions
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate, butter, and peanut butter in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Chex cereal, M&Ms, and pretzels. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- Coat with Sugar: In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder. Add the coated cereal mixture, seal the bag, and shake until evenly coated.
- Enjoy: Spread the mixture on a baking sheet to set before serving. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- This recipe is easily customizable with different types of chocolate, nut butter, or mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit.
- For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate instead of semisweet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg