This delicious Valentine puppy chow mix features the classic chocolate, peanut butter, and Chex cereal combination with Valentine theme candies and pretzels. The perfect Valentine’s day treat for parties, potlucks, or as an afternoon snack.
Puppy chow is one of my favorite snacks to make because it’s so easy and tastes so good. Oh, sure. I enjoy making fancy cakes and cupcakes along with pies and a host of other sweets, but when I want a sweet treat that satisfies and feeds a crowd without having to be in the kitchen all day, I go for puppy chow mix. It’s a simple recipe that’s so sweetly delicious and so easy to play with by adding different ingredients that I can tailor it to any occasion or holiday season.
Valentine Puppy Chow Mix
This puppy chow mix is full of all the flavors we love in this classic snack, and it’s full of pretty pink and red colors. Every bite is filled with chocolate, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and a little something extra with the addition of Red Hots, Cinnamon Jelly Bellies, and more. It’s the perfect treat for that special someone. The cinnamon is a wonderful counterpoint to all the sweetness in this recipe, making for a treat that is just as visually interesting as it is interesting to for your tastebuds!
The Perfect Valentines Day Snack
I love making big batches of this when Valentines Day nears. I’ll keep it on hand for fun afternoon snacks for the family, and I love to put it in tins to give as gifts to the special people in my life on this special day. Between the flavor and the fun colors, it’s one of the best treat ideas you’ll ever make for the holiday.
Valentine Day Puppy Chow Variations
One of the greatest parts of puppy chow is how easy it is to mix it up and it is a no bake recipe. Every puppy chow recipe you’ll ever see uses the traditional puppy chow base recipe, of course. But after that, the sky’s the limit. I’ve made puppy chow mixes for every holiday and season. It’s so easy to do by simply changing a few ingredients or adding fun mix-ins that match the season for which you’re making it. One recipe can become dozens!
White Chocolate Puppy Chow
One great way to change things up is to make puppy chow with white chocolate instead of milk chocolate. You end up with a more delicate flavor that’s perfect for flavoring with peppermint for the holidays.
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
To make St. Patrick’s Day puppy chow, take the base recipe and add green mix-ins to it. Think green M&Ms and even green gummy worms.
Fourth of July Puppy Chow
Use white chocolate puppy chow and add red, white, and blue chocolate candies to the mix. You can also add star-shaped sprinkles to finish off the look.
Halloween Puppy Chow
Use the base puppy chow mix for this one to keep the color on the darker side. Then, add Reese’s Pieces to get that classic orange and brown Halloween combo.
Christmas Puppy Chow
Use white chocolate puppy chow and add Christmas M&Ms, pretzels, and even Christmas sprinkles.
Anything You Can Think Of
The best variation is the one you come up with yourself. It’s so much fun to take the base recipe and just have a blast getting creative with it. It’s so easy to change things up, the only limit is your imagination!
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you dive into this Valentine’s puppy chow recipe, be sure to give this FAQ a look. It answers all the most frequently asked questions about puppy chow.
What is Puppy Chow?
Puppy chow is a sweet snack made with Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar as the base. Then other mix-ins such as chocolate candies and pretzels are added to create a sweet snack mix.
What are the Different Types of Chex?
There are actually quite a few varieties of Chex. In fact, you might not have heard of some of them. I know I hadn’t.
- Rice
- Corn
- Wheat
- Honey Nut
- Chocolate
- Apple Cinnamon
- Peanut Butter
- Cinnamon
- Blueberry
What’s the Difference Between Puppy Chow and Muddy Buddies?
The only difference between the two is the name. In addition to puppy chow and muddy buddies, this snack mix is also called cupid chow, monkey munch, muddy munch, reindeer chow, and doggy bag.
Does Puppy Chow Have to be Refrigerated?
Puppy chow will be fine at room temperature for a few days, but if you want it to last longer, refrigerate it. It will last for up to a week.
How to Store Muddy Buddies?
Simply place the mix in an air-tight container or a resealable bag at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Ingredients for Valentine Puppy Chow Mix
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious Valentines-themed mix. You’ll have to shop for a few of the ingredients, but many of them are also kitchen staples.
- Cinnamon Chex cereal
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Peanut Butter
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Mini cinnamon bears
- Cinnamon jelly bellies
- Red hots
- Mini pretzels or pretzel pieces
- Powdered sugar
How to Make Valentine Puppy Chow Mix
Just like the shopping list, making this recipe doesn’t take much. In just a few steps, you’ll have a delicious snack mix that’s perfect for guests or as a gift. The best part is that it takes very little time to make.
Step 1: Prep
Place parchment paper or waxed paper on a baking sheet and set aside. Add the Cinnamon Chex to a large bowl and set it aside.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate Peanut Butter Mix
In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together at 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until they melt and are smooth. Once the peanut butter chocolate mixture is smooth, add the vanilla and cinnamon.
Step 3: Coat the Cereal
After the mixture has been made, pour it over the cereal and stir to combine. Then, sprinkle powdered sugar over the chocolate-coated cereal and stir to coat.
Step 4: Cool
Pour the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet in a single layer and allow it to cool completely, then store in air-tight containers until ready to serve.
Step 5: Add Mix-Ins
When ready to serve, top the mix with mini cinnamon bears, cinnamon jelly beans, Red Hots, and pretzels, then stir to combine.
Try This Delicious Valentine’s Day Puppy Chow Today
This Valentines Puppy Chow mix is so tasty and so easy to make. It’s the perfect treat to have on hand for guests or to give as gifts for the Valentine’s Day season. With a flavor that’s so delicious and a process that’s so easy, it’s always a great choice. Give this recipe a try, and I know it will hold a permanent spot in your Valentine’s Day rotation.
Here are More Delicious Muddy Buddies Recipes you Might Enjoy
White Chocolate Puppy Chow – A delicious and flavorful snack that is loaded with white chocolate covered Chex, pretzels, mint chocolate candies, peppermint bark, and chocolate chips and a favorite recipe for the kids to help make. Super easy!
Christmas Muddy Buddies from Deliciously Seasoned you might like too.
Valentine Puppy Chow Mix
Ingredients
- 9 cups Cinnamon Chex Mix cereal
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 small bag of mini cinnamon bears
- 1 small bag of cinnamon jelly bellies
- ½ cup red hots
- 2 cups mini pretzels or pretzel pieces
- 1½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place parchment paper or waxed paper on a baking sheet. Set aside.
- Using a large bowl, add cereal, set aside.
- In a microwave safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together for 30 second intervals, stirring between intervals, until smooth.
- Once smooth, add vanilla and cinnamon. Stir and pour over cereal. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar over the chex mixture, stir to coat.
- Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Let cool then store in airtight containers until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, top with mini cinnamon bears, cinnamon jelly beans, red hots and pretzels. Stir to combine then enjoy!
Here are a couple pics that are perfect to save to your favorite Valentine’s Day or Snack Pinterest boards.
Enjoy, Terri
Valentine Puppy Chow Mix sound so good, but i do not like peanut butter, what could be use instead?
Hi Robin, how about using Nutella. :)