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Festive Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

An addictive, no-bake holiday treat featuring cereal coated in a rich chocolate-peanut butter mixture, tossed in powdered sugar, and mixed with festive M&Ms and sprinkles.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g rice or corn square cereal like Chex or Shreddies
  • 250 g dark chocolate chips or a chopped dark chocolate bar at least 50% cocoa
  • 150 g smooth peanut butter
  • 60 g unsalted butter cubed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 250 g icing sugar sifted
  • 150 g Christmas-coloured M&Ms or similar chocolate sweets
  • 4 tbsp festive sprinkles a mix of red, green, and white works well

Method
 

  1. Prepare Your Cereal: Measure the cereal into a very large mixing bowl. You need plenty of space to stir without breaking the pieces, so choose the biggest bowl you have.
  2. Melt the Coating: In a separate, large microwave-safe bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, and cubed unsalted butter.
  3. Heat Gently: Microwave the chocolate mixture on high for 60 seconds. Remove and stir well. If it's not completely smooth, continue microwaving in 20-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each one, until the mixture is glossy and fully melted. Overheating can make the chocolate seize, so be careful.
  4. Add Vanilla: Once smooth, stir in the vanilla extract until it's fully combined. The aroma at this stage is absolutely heavenly.
  5. Coat the Cereal: Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal in the large bowl. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold and stir until every piece of cereal is evenly coated. Take your time with this step to keep the cereal intact.
  6. Cool Slightly: Let the coated cereal sit and cool at room temperature for 5-7 minutes. This is a crucial step! If it's too warm, the icing sugar will melt instead of coating the pieces.
  7. The First Shake: Place half of the icing sugar into a very large zip-top food bag. Add half of the chocolate-coated cereal, seal the bag (removing most of the air), and shake vigorously for about 30-45 seconds until the cereal is completely covered in a snowy white layer. What works best for me is holding the top and bottom of the bag and shaking up and down.
  8. The Second Shake: Pour the coated cereal onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat the process with the remaining icing sugar and cereal in the same bag.
  9. Final Cooling: Spread the puppy chow evenly across your parchment-lined baking sheets and let it cool completely for about 30 minutes. This allows the chocolate to set fully.
  10. Add the Festive Touches: Once completely cool, gently transfer the puppy chow to a large serving bowl. Mix in the Christmas M&Ms and festive sprinkles. Serve immediately or store for later.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This recipe is perfect for holiday parties and edible gifts.