Introduction

Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is a delightful twist on the classic puppy chow snack, transforming it into a sweet, fruity treat reminiscent of strawberry shortcake. With a creamy white chocolate coating and crunchy cereal, it offers a fun and colorful snack perfect for any occasion.

A white bowl full of multicolored square cereal pieces on a gold tray, sitting on a white marbled texture surface; most of the cereal pieces are covered in a thick layer of pink and white powdered coating, with some light tan cereal squares sprinkled randomly throughout, giving a mixed texture of smooth powdered and crunchy cereal shapes; the bowl is filled to the top and the coating creates a soft, almost fluffy look on the cereal pieces. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

5 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup strawberry cake mix
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini marshmallows (optional)
1/4 cup crushed golden Oreos (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Place 5 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Step 2: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and butter. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
Step 3: Stir vanilla extract and strawberry cake mix into the melted chocolate until fully combined.
Step 4: Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir to coat every piece evenly without breaking the cereal.
Step 5: In a large zip-top bag, mix powdered sugar and crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
Step 6: Transfer the coated cereal into the bag with the sugar mixture, seal, and shake well until all pieces are covered.
Step 7: Spread the coated cereal on a baking sheet to cool and dry completely.
Step 8: Once cooled, gently fold in mini marshmallows and crushed golden Oreos, if using.
Step 9: Store in an airtight container or serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Use high-quality white chocolate chips for a smoother melt and better coating.
Shake gently to avoid breaking the cereal into crumbs.
Customize by adding pastel sprinkles, yogurt-covered raisins, or switching freeze-dried strawberries for freeze-dried raspberries.
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free white chocolate chips.
Try swapping strawberry cake mix with lemon or red velvet cake mix for fun flavor variations.

Storage

Store Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Avoid refrigeration as it may cause sogginess or clumping. To re-crisp, simply let it sit at room temperature before serving.

How to Serve

A white bowl is filled with a large amount of square cereal pieces mixed together; most pieces are bright pink and dusted heavily with white powder, while some are light tan without powder. The cereal pieces have a textured, waffle-like pattern. The bowl sits on a gold tray, which rests on a white marbled surface. A few cereal pieces are scattered loosely on the tray around the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use certified gluten-free Rice Chex cereal and gluten-free cake mix. Be sure to skip or substitute the Oreos with a gluten-free alternative.

Is it possible to make this snack without using a microwave?

Absolutely. Melt the white chocolate and butter gently in a double boiler on the stove, stirring continuously until smooth before mixing with the other ingredients.

Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.8 from 143 reviews

Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is a delightful, no-bake snack mix that transforms classic puppy chow into a sweet, fruity treat inspired by strawberry shortcake. It features crunchy Rice Chex cereal coated in a creamy white chocolate and strawberry cake mix blend, dusted with powdered sugar and crushed freeze-dried strawberries, creating a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and fruity flavors. This easy-to-make snack is ideal for parties, seasonal holidays, lunchbox treats, or gifting.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

5 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup strawberry cake mix
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Mix-ins

1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1/4 cup crushed golden Oreos

Instructions

Prepare Cereal: In a large mixing bowl, measure 5 cups of Rice Chex cereal and set it aside. This is the base of your puppy chow and will be coated with the delicious mixture.
Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of butter. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
Add Flavorings: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/4 cup of strawberry cake mix into the melted chocolate mixture, ensuring everything is well combined for a flavorful coating.
Coat Cereal: Pour the chocolate and cake mix mixture over the Rice Chex cereal. Gently stir with a spatula or spoon to evenly coat all cereal pieces without breaking them.
Mix Coating Sugar and Strawberries: In a large zip-top bag, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1/2 cup crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
Coat with Sugar Mixture: Transfer the coated cereal into the zip-top bag with the powdered sugar and strawberry mix. Seal the bag tightly and shake well until all pieces are evenly coated with the mixture.
Cool and Dry: Spread the coated cereal out on a baking sheet in a single layer and allow it to cool and dry completely, helping the coating to set.
Add Optional Mix-ins: Once the mixture is cooled, fold in 1/2 cup mini marshmallows and 1/4 cup crushed golden Oreos if using, adding extra texture and flavor.
Store: Transfer the puppy chow to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and crunch.

Notes

Use quality white chocolate chips or wafers for a smoother melt and better coating.
Be gentle when mixing the coating with the cereal to avoid crushing the cereal pieces.
Shake the sugar and strawberry mixture thoroughly to ensure even coating.
Customize by adding sprinkles, yogurt-covered raisins, or other candies for extra flavor and texture.
Store in a cool, dry place; avoid refrigeration to prevent sogginess.
For gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free rice cereal, cake mix, and skip or substitute Oreos with a gluten-free alternative.
Dairy-free substitutions include using dairy-free white chocolate chips and plant-based butter.
Low sugar alternatives can be made by using sugar-free cake mix and powdered erythritol instead of powdered sugar.

Keywords: Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow, Puppy Chow, Muddy Buddies, no-bake dessert, white chocolate snack, strawberry dessert, easy snack mix, kids treat, party snack