"Crunchy Chex cereal covered in chocolate, peanut butter, and sugar. It's the classic winter snack food (and perfect for gifting, too)!"
In preparation for my cooking extravaganza, I needed to make sure I had something to snack on while I whipped together my ever first homemade Thanksgiving dinner. Because strangely enough, working with food makes me hungry (crazy, right?!) and I need something to give me strength as I fumble my way through this without having to resort to Boston Market takeout.
Thankfully, I only have The Boyfriend to please with whatever I cook up, and he’ll probably just be happy that there’s food, but still – it matters to me that I get it right.
As for my snack food options, you’d think I’d already have a house full of snacks with the way I’ve been baking lately, but alas, The Boyfriend and I (and even some of the neighbors) have polished off my stockpiles of baked sugar. So, naturally, I needed to replenish the resource. Puppy Chow Chex Mix seemed like the best solution. It’s sugary and crunchy and not too rich, so I can graze on it (or in other words,
So, naturally, I needed to replenish the resource.
Puppy Chow Chex Mix seemed like the best solution, because… chocolate.
And peanut butter.
And sugar.
I mean, c’mon! You know what I’m talking about there. It’s sugary and crunchy and not too rich, so you can slowly graze on it (or in other words, stress eat) to help you get through the day.
It’s been a while since I made Puppy Chow Chex Mix, which seems like an absolute crime.
As much as I love easy, tasty food, you’d think this would be a staple in my house – but, alas, I have a hard time allowing it in this house because I will eat all of it.
By myself.
Most likely before it’s even done cooling on the counter.
There’s also the fact that I (apparently) must not go down the cereal aisle very often at the grocery store, because as I stood there in the aisle earlier this week, it was like the sky parted and I suddenly remembered all the glorious things you can make with just Chex mix.
It was a total epiphany moment and time portal to my childhood.
So, naturally, I bought 3 boxes of the stuff. Wouldn’t want to be caught unprepared to settle a craving now that it’s on my mind again.
This has been a busy week, so like my last post, I’m going to keep this short and sweet – and let you get right to the recipe! I hope those celebrating in the US enjoy their holiday with lots of family and great food!
Notes & tips for this puppy chow recipe:
- When making this recipe, you’ll need a big mixing bowl so you have enough room to maneuver and stir. I own a 13 quart mixing bowl for this very reason.
- If you’re in the mood for puppy chow, be sure to check out sure to check out Brownie Puppy Chow, Funfetti Puppy Chow, and Fluffernutter Puppy Chow.
Puppy Chow Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 9 cup Chex Cereal (roughly 1 12oz box)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the chocolate chips and peanut butter, stirring frequently until chips are melted and smooth.
Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla.
Add Chex cereal to a 13 quart mixing bowl. Pour chocolate-peanut butter mixture on top and gently stir with a spatula until all Chex cereal is coated. Set bowl aside.
Set a baking sheet nearby and cover with parchment paper.
Add powdered sugar to a Ziploc bag (gallon sized). Working in batches (about 1-2 cups at a time), add coated Chex cereal to bag with powdered sugar, seal or twist the top of the bag closed, and then shake the bag until the Chex cereal is coated with sugar. Remove finished puppy chow and spread out on prepared baking sheet. Repeat step until all the puppy chow is made. When finished, discard plastic bag and any dry powdered sugar that remains inside.
Let puppy chow cool completely before eating. Once cooled, transfer to a sealed container and store for up to 5 days.