Description

This festive Christmas Puppy Chow combines crunchy Rice Chex cereal coated in vibrant green and red vanilla-flavored melting wafers with creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar for a sweet, colorful holiday treat. Perfect for parties or gift-giving, it’s easy to make and visually delightful.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

12 cups Rice Chex cereal (1 ½ – 15-ounce boxes of Chex cereal)
2 cups powdered sugar (divided)

For Green Coating

7 ounces green vanilla flavored melting wafers
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons salted butter

For Red Coating

7 ounces red vanilla flavored melting wafers
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons salted butter

Instructions

Prepare powdered sugar bags: Add one cup of powdered sugar to a gallon-size Ziplock bag and set aside. Repeat with a separate bag for the red coating later.
Measure cereal: Divide the 12 cups of Rice Chex cereal into two portions of 6 cups each, placing each portion into a large mixing bowl.
Melt green coating: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine 7 ounces of green vanilla melting wafers, 3 tablespoons peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons salted butter. Microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds, stir well.
Finish melting green mix: Continue microwaving in 15-second increments at 50% power, stirring between each, until mixture is fully melted and smooth. Avoid overheating to prevent seizing.
Coat green cereal: Pour the melted green mixture over 6 cups of Chex cereal. Gently mix with a spoon and hands until fully coated. If not fully coated, microwave the coating again for 15 seconds and stir before mixing again.
Powder sugar green cereal: Pour half the green coated cereal into the prepared powdered sugar Ziplock bag. Seal and gently toss to coat evenly. Add remaining coated cereal to the bag, seal, and toss to coat fully.
Spread green puppy chow: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out the green puppy chow evenly on the sheet.
Repeat for red coating: Using a clean bowl, repeat steps 3 to 7 with 7 ounces of red vanilla melting wafers, 3 tablespoons peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons butter to coat the remaining 6 cups of cereal. Use a separate powdered sugar bag for coating and a second parchment-lined baking sheet to spread out the red puppy chow.
Set and serve: Allow both colored puppy chow batches to set for about an hour at room temperature before handling and serving. This helps the coating to firm up perfectly.

Notes

Be careful not to overheat the melting wafers as they can seize and become unusable.
Use hands to gently mix the coated cereal for even coverage.
You can store Puppy Chow in an airtight container for up to a week.
Adjust peanut butter quantity to taste for creaminess.
Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
This recipe easily doubles or halves depending on desired quantity.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Microwaving
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas Puppy Chow, holiday snack, Chex mix, peanut butter, melting wafers, festive treat, easy snack recipe