Christmas Puppy Chow

Christmas Puppy Chow (AKA, Muddy Buddies) is a delicious holiday snack mix made with white chocolate, peppermint, and Chex cereal...perfect for serving at parties, giving as a gift to neighbors and friends, and using up leftover candy canes!

The holidays are upon us, and every time I turn around, it seems like there's a party to attend or a gift to put together requiring an easy, delicious snack. What I love about this Christmas Puppy Chow recipe is that it's festive, yummy...and a jumbo batch takes mere minutes to assemble! There are lots of variations of this type of snack mix, but white chocolate and candy canes render this one particularly festive around the holidays!

What is Puppy Chow?

Whether you refer to it as Puppy Chow, Muddy Buddies, or some other colorful descriptor, this treat (which -- regardless of moniker -- is for people, not dogs) typically starts with Chex cereal and ends with a coating of powdered sugar.

In between, however, today's variation gets coated in creamy white chocolate and showered with crushed candy canes.

Additional candy canes are finely ground and then incorporated with the powdered sugar. That's right...this Christmas Puppy Chow delivers an extra hit of peppermint goodness!

Occasions for Enjoying

A big bowl of Christmas Puppy Chow will keep 'em coming back for more at your next holiday party.

It's the perfect, portable snack to enjoy alongside a thermos of hot cocoa as your family drives around looking at Christmas lights.

And it's ideal for munching while snuggled up on the couch watching Christmas movies.

No matter the occasion, it's a recipe to carry you straight on through December!

Food Gift Idea

And have I mentioned that it makes a fabulous homemade food gift? Not only does this Christmas Puppy Chow taste great, but it looks festive as well, with its snowy white cereal and bright pops of red striped candy.

As a bonus, one batch is large enough to divide between multiple gifts.

• Just scoop into a Mason jar or clear cellophane bag.
• Decorate with ribbon and a cute tag.
• And surprise your neighbors, friends, teachers, bus driver, mailman, pediatrician, hair dresser (...and more!) with a fun, tasty treat!

Also Great Post-Christmas...

But what if, by the time you read this post, you've already made and passed out all of your holiday gifts? What if you've already thrown your last party? Driven around to see your last lights? Viewed your last Christmas movie of the holiday season?

Well, allow me to let you in on a little secret. You know all of those candy canes that are sure to be overrunning your pantry by the end of December? This Christmas Puppy Chow is a great way to use them up...even if Christmas is over! Or better yet, you can always pin or bookmark this recipe now for next year. 😉

So add Christmas Puppy Chow to your repertoire of sweets to enjoy (or share!) this December!

It’s crunchy and sweet, it's creamy and minty. In other words, it's the perfect way to put a little Ho Ho Ho in your holiday snacking. 😉

More Festive Holiday Sweets

• Eggnog Pudding with Whipped Cream
• Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats
• Christmas Tree Brownies
• Nutter Butter Christmas Cupcake Toppers
• Candy Cane Kiss Brownie Bites

Christmas Puppy Chow

Christmas Puppy Chow (AKA, Muddy Buddies) is a delicious holiday snack mix made with white chocolate, peppermint, and Chex cereal...perfect for serving at parties, giving as a gift to neighbors and friends, and using up those extra candy canes!

By Samantha Skaggs

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 333kcal

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Ingredients

• 1¼ cups crushed candy canes, approximately 7½ ounces, or 50 mini candy canes, divided
• 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
• 12 ounces white chocolate baking bar, such as Baker's or white melting chocolate
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

• To crush candy canes, place in a gallon-sized freezer bag. Use the flat side of a meat mallet (or a rolling pin) to pound into small pieces. Measure out ¼ cup of these crushed candy canes into a food processor and pulse until a fine powder is formed. Set aside.
• Pour Chex cereal in a very large bowl or container with a tight-fitting lid. Melt white chocolate according to package directions. Immediately pour melted white chocolate over Chex and gently stir until all cereal is coated. Fold in 1 cup crushed candy canes. Sprinkle powdered sugar and remaining ¼ cup candy cane powder over Chex mixture. Cover bowl with lid and gently shake and turn bowl until all ingredients are coated in powdered sugar. Allow to cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Notes

If you don't have a large bowl with a lid, you may combine the Chex, melted white chocolate, and crushed candy canes in a large bowl as directed. Then immediately transfer the Chex mixture to a large plastic bag that already has the powdered sugar and candy cane powder measured into it; seal and shake.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 4.6mg

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This recipe was originally shared as a contributor post at Lil' Luna. Published on FiveHeartHome on December 18, 2014, and updated on December 5, 2020, and December 21, 2023.