Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Introduction

Christmas Puppy Chow is a festive twist on the classic crunchy, sweet snack mix, coated in colorful red and green melting wafers. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, easy to make, and sure to delight both kids and adults with its vibrant colors and rich peanut butter flavor.

Ingredients

• 12 cups Rice Chex cereal (1 ½-15-ounce boxes)
• 7 ounces green vanilla flavored melting wafers
• 7 ounces red vanilla flavored melting wafers
• 6 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter (divided)
• 4 Tablespoons salted butter (divided)
• 2 cups powdered sugar (divided)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 1 cup of powdered sugar into a gallon-size Ziplock bag and set aside.
2. Step 2: Measure 6 cups of Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl; set aside.
3. Step 3: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine 7 ounces of green melting wafers, 3 tablespoons of peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons of butter.
4. Step 4: Microwave the mixture at 50% power for 30 seconds, then stir.
5. Step 5: Continue microwaving in 15-second increments at 50% power, stirring in between, until the mixture is fully melted and smooth. Avoid overheating or adding liquids.
6. Step 6: Pour or spoon the green melts over the Chex cereal and gently combine, using a large spoon or your hands to coat the cereal thoroughly.
7. Step 7: If coating is incomplete, microwave the bowl for another 15 seconds at 50% power and stir again to finish coating the cereal.
8. Step 8: Pour half of the coated Chex mixture into the Ziplock bag with powdered sugar. Seal and gently toss to coat. Add the remaining cereal, seal again, and toss to coat fully.
9. Step 9: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the green puppy chow evenly on it.
10. Step 10: Repeat steps 1 through 9 with the red melting wafers, using a clean bowl and a second Ziplock bag for the powdered sugar coating.
11. Step 11: Allow both trays of puppy chow to set for about an hour before handling and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use your hands while mixing to ensure every piece of cereal is evenly coated without breaking them.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the powdered sugar amount slightly or omit the second coating step.
• Try different colored melting wafers to personalize the snack for other holidays or occasions.
• Ensure not to overheat the melting wafers to keep the smooth consistency needed for easy coating.

Storage

Store Christmas Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep it crisp, avoid humid environments. If the coating softens, you can refresh it in a low oven (200°F) for a few minutes, but avoid melting the candy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of melting wafers?

Regular chocolate chips can be used but may not melt as smoothly or hold color as well as melting wafers. Melting wafers are formulated for coating and provide a better texture and finish.

What if I don’t have peanut butter?

You can replace peanut butter with almond butter or omit it entirely, though it may alter the flavor and coating consistency slightly. Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract can help boost flavor in that case.

Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 93 reviews

This festive Christmas Puppy Chow recipe features crunchy Rice Chex cereal coated in vibrant red and green vanilla-flavored melting wafers mixed with creamy peanut butter and butter, then dusted generously with powdered sugar. Perfect as a colorful holiday snack or gift, this sweet and crunchy treat offers seasonal flair and delightful flavors with minimal prep and simple melting techniques.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: About 8 cups of Christmas Puppy Chow 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Microwaving and Mixing
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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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

1. Prepare Powdered Sugar Bags: Add 1 cup of powdered sugar to a gallon-size Ziplock bag and set aside. Repeat for the second batch to have two separate bags ready for coating.
2. Portion Cereal: Divide the 12 cups of Rice Chex cereal into two equal parts of 6 cups each and place each portion into separate large mixing bowls.
3. Melt Green Wafers: Combine 7 ounces of green vanilla melting wafers, 3 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons of salted butter in a small microwave-safe bowl.
4. Microwave Green Mixture: Heat the mixture at 50% power for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue microwaving in 15-second increments, stirring in between, until smooth and fully melted without overheating.
5. Coat Cereal with Green Mixture: Pour or spoon the melted green mixture over the 6 cups of Rice Chex cereal. Gently combine using a large spoon and your hands to evenly coat all pieces. If needed, microwave the mixture again for 15 seconds at 50% power and stir to finish coating.
6. Powder Sugar Coating for Green Mix: Pour half of the coated green cereal into one of the prepared powdered sugar Ziplock bags. Seal and gently toss to evenly coat with sugar. Repeat with the remaining half of the green-coated cereal.
7. Spread Green Puppy Chow: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the sugar-coated green puppy chow onto the sheet, spreading it out evenly to cool and set.
8. Melt Red Wafers: In a clean small microwave-safe bowl, combine 7 ounces of red vanilla melting wafers, 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons salted butter. Microwave at 50% power in 30-second and 15-second increments, stirring until melted and smooth.
9. Coat Cereal with Red Mixture: Repeat the coating process with the remaining 6 cups of Rice Chex cereal and the melted red mixture, mixing gently to cover all pieces.
10. Powder Sugar Coating for Red Mix: Use a clean Ziplock bag with 1 cup powdered sugar to coat the red puppy chow cereal just as with the green batch, tossing well to apply an even layer.
11. Spread Red Puppy Chow: Spread the red sugar-coated puppy chow on a separate parchment-lined baking sheet evenly and allow both trays of puppy chow to set for about 1 hour before handling or serving.

Notes

• Use vanilla-flavored melting wafers for a smooth and colorful coating that won’t seize or burn easily.
• Do not overheat the melting wafers to avoid clumping or seizing; stirring often helps maintain smoothness.
• If coating mixture thickens too quickly, warm briefly again in short increments.
• Using hands to combine the coated cereal helps ensure even distribution without breaking the cereal.
• Allow puppy chow to fully set before serving to achieve the best texture and prevent stickiness.
• This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on the occasion and crowd size.

Keywords: Christmas Puppy Chow, holiday snack, festive puppy chow, Chex mix recipe, peanut butter snack, red and green snack