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Christmas Puppy Chow

5 from 1 vote
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posted: 11/30/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Christmas Puppy Chow is going to be your new favorite spin on Muddy Buddies. So easy to make and extra festive, this is a fun dessert that no one will be able to resist.

Please note that this is a human treat and not meant for animals.

Bowl of Christmas puppy chow

One of my greatest weaknesses of all time is Puppy Chow. In fact, whenever I make a batch, I have to hide it form myself. Otherwise it will disappear way too fast!

This Christmas Puppy Chow is the perfect recipe for the holiday season. We are swapping milk chocolate chips for white chocolate chips, which pairs so perfectly with peanut butter. You are going to fall in love with this simple and fun treat.

Reader Review

Very good and easy to make!!

Christmas Puppy Chow Ingredients

This white chocolate twist on the classic puppy chow with festive Christmas colors is perfect for the holiday season. This easy no-bake recipe is sure to be a hit! Here are the ingredients to gather:

  • Chex Cereal: Essential for all puppy chow recipes and for a good reason. It is the best for holding on to all the white chocolate and peanut butter goodness that you enjoy with each bite. You can find the cereal easily in gluten-free varieties which is an added bonus.
  • Chocolate Chips: This recipe calls for white chocolate chips which is what makes it different from the classic muddy buddies recipe which uses milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  • Butter: I keep unsalted on hand for baking which works great here, but salted will be fine too.
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: Creamy will work much better than crunchy in this recipe because of the texture.
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Powdered Sugar: Start with just 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar and only add in the last 1/2 cup if you are having trouble coating all of the puppy chow.
Overhead of glass measuring cup of Christmas puppy chow ingredients for melting

How to Make Christmas Puppy Chow

Here is a brief overview of how to make an easy and delicious Puppy Chow for Christmas. For the full recipe and all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Put cereal in a large mixing bowl. If you have a large bowl with a sealable lid, you can just put on the lid when it is time to shake the powdered sugar on.
  2. Melt the chocolate. Melt the white chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and butter together in a glass measuring cup in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the vanilla. Once smooth, stir the vanilla extract into the chocolate mixture.
  4. Add the chocolate peanut butter mixture to the cereal. Pour into the bowl of cereal and stir to combine until all of the cereal is coated. Sometimes using your hands (make sure they are clean) is the easiest way to do this.
  5. Coat with powdered sugar. Add the coated cereal mixture to a plastic bag (unless you have a large container with a lid) along with your powdered sugar and shake to combine. Add more powdered sugar if needed.
  6. Make it festive. Toss in the sprinkles and M&Ms.
glass measuring cup pouring melted Christmas puppy chow ingredients into a bowl of chex cereal to make Christmas Puppy Chow.
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Large Bowl with Lid

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Gift it!

Simple no bake treats, like haystacks and easy fudge, are perfect for giving to others, and this Christmas puppy chow recipe is definitely on that list. It can be easily placed in individual baggies, tight with a pretty ribbon or bow and shared with those you appreciate this holiday season.

overhead of bowl of Christmas puppy chow

Tips and Variations

  • Make it gluten-free by using a Chex cereal that is gluten-free such as rice Chex or corn Chex.
  • Mix up the color of sprinkles and M&M’s. This recipe can be made any time of year, just use whatever color of sprinkles and M&M’s are in season or you desire.
  • Use Nutella instead of peanut butter.
  • These Pumpkin Spice Muddy Buddies is another festive variation that is equally delicious. All puppy chow recipes are wins in my book.

Storing

This recipe will last in an airtight container on your counter or in your pantry for up to two weeks, making it a great recipe to make ahead of time. If you are planning on gifting it, keep in mind that it makes 11 cups. You should be able to get plenty of gift bags out of this recipe.

Freezing Puppy Chow

These Christmas muddy buddies can definitely be frozen. If prepared in a freezer-safe bag, it can go right into the freezer once it’s made and enjoyed right out of the freezer. If you do freeze this recipe, proceed with caution because it is so good frozen. Maybe even better.

bowl of Christmas Puppy Chow with sprinkles and chocolate candies surrounding

Other No Bake Desserts

No-bake desserts, like this puppy chow, for Christmas are perfect for the holiday season because they often can be made ahead of time, and free up your oven for other dishes. Here are a few desserts your family is sure to enjoy, the gift that keeps on giving!

If you try this Christmas puppy chow recipe or any of my other holiday recipes, leave a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!

Bowl of Christmas puppy chow
5 from 1 vote

Christmas Puppy Chow

Serves: 22 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Christmas Puppy Chow is going to be your new favorite spin on Muddy Buddies. So easy to make and extra festive, this is a fun dessert that no one will be able to resist.

Ingredients

  • 9 cups chex cereal (246.2 grams)
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips (224 grams)
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (135 grams)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (56.5 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 – 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar divided (227 grams to 283.75 grams)
  • 1/2 cup red and green M&Ms (101.5 grams)
  • 1/4 cup Christmas sprinkles (48 grams)

Instructions

  • Add the cereal to a large bowl.
    9 cups chex cereal
  • In a large measuring cup, melt the white chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and butter together on high for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring at each 30-second interval. Once smooth, stir in the vanilla extract and stir the mixture until smooth.
    1 cup white chocolate chips, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pour the mixture over the cereal. Stir to combine. Use clean hands if necessary.
  • Pour the mixture into a clean plastic bag. Pour 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar over the mixture and shake to combine. Add more powdered sugar as needed until the whole mixture is coated.
  • Toss in the sprinkles and the M&Ms.
    1/4 cup Christmas sprinkles, 1/2 cup red and green M&Ms
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Serving: 0.5cup Calories: 313kcal (16%) Carbohydrates: 56g (19%) Protein: 5g (10%) Fat: 9g (14%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 8mg (3%) Sodium: 181mg (8%) Potassium: 151mg (4%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 37g (41%) Vitamin A: 347IU (7%) Vitamin C: 3mg (4%) Calcium: 80mg (8%) Iron: 8mg (44%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Bowl of Christmas puppy chow

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Christmas Puppy Chow

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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  1. Sally T says

    5 stars
    Very good and easy to make!!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you liked it!

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