White chocolate puppy chow, also known as muddy buddies, is a quick and easy recipe with white chocolate and powdered sugar-coated Chex cereal, mint chocolate candies, peppermint bark, chocolate chips, and pretzels.
Puppy chow, muddy buddies, reindeer chow, bunny chow – different places and different seasons have different names for this delicious treat, but whatever you call it, one thing’s for sure, this is a sweet snack mix that everyone always loves. I make puppy chow for all sorts of occasions, from potlucks to birthdays and of course, holiday get-togethers. I’ll bring big batches to events or wrap them in colorful tissue paper and place them in a decorative tin as presents. They’re always well-received and always devoured!
Holiday White Chocolate Puppy Chow
This puppy chow recipe is always a great treat, but I love to mix things up when the holidays roll around. In place of regular chocolate, I use white chocolate to make a beautiful white mix that I can add colorful additions to, creating a delicious, colorful holiday treat that is so perfect for the holidays. This sweet white chocolate mix coats Chex Mix cereal and is mixed with pretzels, holiday M&Ms, and peppermint bark. It’s so good and so festive!
This White Chocolate Puppy Chow is Always a Crowd Pleaser
From your uncle who’ll eat shoe leather if it’s dipped in ranch to your niece who’ll eat a total of three food items no matter what, this puppy chow is a crowd-pleaser. Even the pickiest of eaters can’t say no to this delicious, sweet treat. It also perfectly captures all the holiday feels with its look, and it’s so simple to grab a handful that it’s perfect for any holiday get-together. I always make sure to make up a batch for all of our Christmas parties and events.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you love puppy chow, take a second to read over this FAQ. It answers all the most frequently asked questions about puppy chow, addressing everything from how it got its name to the best chocolate to us.
Why is it called puppy chow?
Puppy chow got its name because of the Chex cereal with which it’s made. Believe it or not, Chex was first brought to the market in 1937 by the Ralston Purina Company. Yep, THE Purina. As in Dog Chow Purina. The name “Chex” didn’t catch on immediately, and many people called it “Human Chow” because of the company’s long-standing reputation as an animal feed producer.
Is it called puppy chow or muddy buddies?
It’s called both and a lot more, actually. While Muddy Buddies is the official name used by General Mills, this snack is also called puppy chow, monkey munch, reindeer chow during the Christmas season, and bunny chow around Easter.
Who invented puppy chow?
No one is 100% certain who invented puppy chow. The internet says that a midwestern woman named Elizabeth Cooney first created the sweet snack, but no one really knows for sure. The only thing we know for certain is that the recipe did, in fact, originate somewhere in the Midwest.
What is the best white chocolate melting wafers to use?
The best wafers to use are Merckens White Chocolate Coating Melting Wafers. These were made especially for melting, making them exceptionally easy to work with. They’re also tasty!
Variations
One look at the ingredients in this recipe, and you’ll see that I put pretty much everything but the kitchen sink in this recipe. There’s not a ton of room for mixing things up with this one, as everything is pretty much already in here. However, in general, puppy chow is a great recipe for getting creative. Some excellent variations to the traditional recipe include:
- Reese’s Pieces
- Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups
- Toasted peanuts
- Using dark chocolate for the mix
- White chocolate chips
- Adding mini marshmallows
These are just a few ideas. You can add almost anything you can think of to puppy chow, especially if you’re making the original.
How to Store Puppy Chow
You can store puppy chow at room temperature in an air-tight container or ziplock bag for a few days. It will last for about a week in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. For longer storage, simply put the mix in a heavy-duty freezer plastic bag for up to 6 months.
White Chocolate Puppy Chow Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this tasty treat. A quick trip down the cereal, baking, and chip aisle, and you’ll be all set!
- Rice Chex Mix cereal
- White chocolate melting wafers
- Powdered sugar
- Holiday mint chocolate M&Ms
- Peanut holiday M&Ms
- Mini pretzels or pretzel pieces
- Peppermint bark, broke into small pieces
- Chocolate chips
How to Make White Chocolate Puppy Chow
This recipe is super easy to make. It only takes a few simple steps, and you’ll have a great big bowl of puppy chow goodness.
Step 1 – Prep
Place parchment paper or wax paper on a cookie sheet and set it aside. Then, add the cereal to a large bowl and set it aside.
Step 2 – Melt the White Chocolate
In a microwaveable bowl, microwave the white chocolate melting wafers at 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth.
Step 3 – Mix Melted Chocolate into the Cereal
Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and stir to combine.
Step 4 – Sprinkle with Powdered Sugar
Sprinkle the mix with powdered sugar and stir to coat.
Step 5 – Cool Completely
Pour the Chex mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and let it cool completely.
Step 6 – Add all the Goodies
Once cooled, add the mint chocolate candies, chocolate chips, peppermint bark, peanut M&Ms, and pretzels. Stir and serve!
Try This Easy, Delicious White Chocolate Puppy Chow Mix Today
If you’re looking for a sweet treat to serve to guests, bring to a holiday get-together, or give as gifts, this white chocolate puppy chow mix is just the thing. With its sweet, delicious flavor and its festive holiday look, it’s the perfect treat for the season. It’s also super easy to make, which is a big plus, too! Give this recipe a try, and I know you’ll love it.
Looking For More Delicious Snacks and Desserts?
Chocolate Caramel Cashew Clusters – These delicious caramel clusters are easy to make with only 4 ingredients, both chocolate and white chocolate melting wafers, cashews and caramel. That’s it!
Butterscotch Peanut Butter Crispies – If you love butterscotch and you love peanut butter, you are definitely going to flip over these tasty treats. Another recipe that only uses 4 ingredients. Easy and always a favorite.
Chocolate Cashew Brittle – This crunchy, sweet and delicious chocolate cashew brittle will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. Super easy to make, super delicious to eat and enjoy by all.
And, these Caramel Pretzel Cookies with Walnuts from our other blog, Deliciously Seasoned, are a great snack too!
White Chocolate Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups white chocolate melting wafers
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 9.2 ounce bag holiday mint chocolate M&Ms
- 1 ½ – 2 cups mini pretzels or pretzel pieces
- 2 cups peppermint bark broke into small pieces
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place parchment paper on a baking sheet. Set aside.
- Using a large bowl, add cereal, set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave white chocolate melting wafers for 30 second intervals, stirring between intervals, until smooth.
- Once smooth, stir and pour over cereal. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar over the chex mixture, stir to coat.
- Pour chex mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Let cool completely then add chocolate mint candies, chocolate chips, peppermint bark, and pretzels. Stir.
- Store in an airtight container or ziploc bags.
Nutrition
Here are a few pics to save to your favorite Pinterest boards.
Enjoy, Terri
