How to Make Puppy Chow

Puppy Chow is a sweet treat, made with Chex Mix cereal. This easy chocolate and peanut butter Puppy Chow dessert recipe makes a sweet snack to satisfy a crowd.

This puppy chow recipe uses Rolos, salted peanuts and mini Reese Cups, but the recipe is versatile, so include any of your family’s favorite candy.

Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies

Is it called Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies?

The first recipe for Puppy Chow was published by General Mills, the manufacturer of Chex cereal. Chex, being the main ingredient, was given a sweet dessert-like make-over for what is now a Christmas dessert staple in many parts of the county. General Mills’ official name for the treat is Muddy Buddies.

However, the epicenter of the dessert’s popularity is the midwest, and there it is known almost exclusively as Puppy Chow.

Who Invented Puppy Chow?

Chex cereal was first available in 1937. And it was produced by none other than the Ralston Purina Company in St. Louis, the company primarily known for its dog, cat and horse feed. Chex Mix was the first combination using the cereal that appeared on party tables by the 1950s.

No one is quite sure where the Puppy Chow recipe first appeared.

General Mills, who now owns and manufactures Chex, claims that the recipe was first printed on cereal boxes in 2002 as Muddy Buddies, but most Midwesterners know that the snack was around for decades before that.

Due to the ease of the recipe, it is a staple in junior high home-ec classes. It’s no problem for a teacher to instruct 30 seventh graders how to shake a bag to coat the cereal. You practically can’t get it wrong!

Other names for Puppy Chow

General Mills published their recipe and later sold a packaged version of this dessert under the name Muddy Buddies. This dessert is also occasionally referred to as Monkey Munch or Reindeer Chow.

Monkey Munch is usually made with a rice cereal. Reindeer chow, which only makes an appearance during the holiday season, includes cocoa powder and no peanut butter. It’s a great option for an allergy-friendly dessert.

Does Puppy Chow need to be refrigerated?

Once the Puppy Chow has cooled completely, store it in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator, for up to two weeks.

What do you need to make Puppy Chow:

• Chex Mix
• Chocolate Chips
• Peanut butter
• Butter
• Powdered Sugar

How to make Puppy Chow

• First, cover a large baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside.
• Next, add Chex Mix to a large bowl.
• After that, add chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter and unsalted butter to a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir to combine until the mixture is smooth and shiny.
• Add the chocolate mixture over the Chex Mix and gently stir until the cereal is evenly coated in chocolate.
• Divide the chocolate covered Chex Mix between two gallon zip bags and add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar to each one. Seal the bags and shake well until the Chex Mix is evenly covered in powdered sugar.
• Transfer the Chex Mix to the prepared baking sheet and spread into one layer. Let it cool before serving.

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More Party Snack Recipes

This is an easy snack to prepare and it makes the perfect party food! Another easy party snack recipe to make is this one, for Pizza Roll-Ups.

Print

Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow

Prep Time

10 mins

Chill

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

Puppy Chow is a sweet treat, made with Chex Mix cereal. This easy chocolate and peanut butter Puppy Chow dessert recipe makes a sweet snack to satisfy a crowd.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Muddy Buddies, Puppy Chow

Servings: 12 cups

Calories: 681 kcal

Author: Catalina Castravet

Ingredients

• 8 cups Chex Mix sweeter version like Honey Nut
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips dark or semisweet
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 8 tablespoons butter unsalted
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup Rolos or M&M's optional
• 1 cup Reese's mini cups optional
• 1/2 cup salted peanuts optional

Instructions

1. Cover a large baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside.
2. Add Chex Mix to a large bowl.

3. Add chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter and unsalted butter to a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir to combine and microwave for an additional 30 seconds if needed. Stir until the mixture is smooth and shiny.

4. Add the chocolate mixture over the Chex Mix and gently stir until the cereal is evenly coated in chocolate.
5. Divide the chocolate covered Chex Mix between two gallon zip bags and add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar to each one. Seal the bags and shake well until the Chex Mix is evenly covered in powdered sugar.
6. Transfer the Chex Mix to the prepared baking sheet and spread into one layer. Let it cool before serving.

7. Once cooled, transfer to a bowl and add the candy and salted peanuts.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow

Amount Per Serving

Calories 681 Calories from Fat 351

% Daily Value*

Fat 39g60%

Saturated Fat 14g88%

Cholesterol 25mg8%

Sodium 583mg25%

Potassium 343mg10%

Carbohydrates 97g32%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 63g70%

Protein 14g28%

Vitamin A 315IU6%

Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

Calcium 84mg8%

Iron 2.4mg13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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