Description
Christmas Puppy Chow is a festive, colorful twist on the classic puppy chow snack, featuring crunchy Rice Chex cereal coated in creamy green and red vanilla-flavored melting wafers mixed with peanut butter, then tossed in powdered sugar. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this sweet treat combines smooth melting chocolate with a crunchy base, making it a delightful seasonal snack that’s easy to prepare without any baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Cereal
- 12 cups Rice Chex cereal (1 ½-15-ounce boxes)
Green Coating
- 7 ounces green vanilla flavored melting wafers
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Red Coating
- 7 ounces red vanilla flavored melting wafers
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Prepare powdered sugar bags. Add one cup of powdered sugar to a gallon-size Ziplock bag and set aside; repeat for the second batch later.
- Measure cereal. Add 6 cups of Rice Chex cereal to a large mixing bowl and set aside for coating with the green melting wafers.
- Melt green coating. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine 7 ounces of green vanilla melting wafers, 3 tablespoons peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons salted butter.
- Microwave and stir. Microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds, then stir thoroughly.
- Continue melting. Microwave in 15-second increments at 50% power, stirring between each interval, until the mixture is fully melted and smooth. Avoid overheating or adding liquids.
- Coat cereal with green mixture. Pour the green melts over the 6 cups of Chex cereal and gently combine with a large spoon or your hands to coat evenly. Reheat briefly if needed to better coat.
- Powder sugar coating. Transfer half of the coated cereal into the prepared Ziplock bag with powdered sugar. Seal and gently toss to coat, then add the remaining cereal, seal again, and toss to fully cover.
- Set green puppy chow. Spread the coated cereal on a parchment-lined baking sheet to set while preparing the red batch.
- Repeat for red coating. Use a clean bowl and a second Ziplock bag. Combine 7 ounces red melting wafers, 3 tablespoons peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl and melt following the same method as for the green melts. Coat the remaining 6 cups of cereal, toss with powdered sugar, and spread on a parchment-lined sheet.
- Allow to set. Let both sheets of Christmas Puppy Chow rest for about an hour until fully set before handling or serving to allow the coatings to firm up.
Notes
- Do not overheat melting wafers to prevent seizing.
- Use hands to mix coating evenly over cereal for best coverage.
- Ensure the bowls and bags are clean between green and red batches to avoid color mixing.
- This recipe does not require baking or stovetop cooking—melting is done in the microwave.
- Store puppy chow in an airtight container for up to one week.
