Christmas Puppy Chow is a fun and festive twist on the classic snack mix that’s perfect for the holiday season! It’s a delicious blend of crunchy cereal coated in melted chocolate, rich peanut butter, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar, with a few holiday extras like red and green candies or festive sprinkles to make it really stand out.
I love making this around Christmas because it’s so easy and everyone in the family can get involved. It’s always a hit at parties or just for munching while wrapping presents or watching holiday movies. I find that adding just a little extra powdered sugar gives it the perfect touch of sweetness and makes it extra melt-in-your-mouth good.
One of my favorite ways to serve Christmas Puppy Chow is in a big holiday-themed bowl or divided into individual festive snack bags to share with friends and neighbors. It’s the kind of treat that spreads holiday cheer in a simple, cozy way, and you’ll find yourself reaching back in for another handful before you know it!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Rice Chex Cereal: This cereal keeps Puppy Chow nice and crunchy without getting soggy. If you can’t find Rice Chex, try corn or wheat Chex, or any light, crispy cereal squares.
Chocolate Chips: Semisweet chocolate is classic, but feel free to use milk chocolate for a sweeter treat or dark chocolate for a richer taste. Vegan chocolate chips work great for a dairy-free option.
Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter blends smoothly and adds great flavor. If you have nut allergies, sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter are good substitutes.
Powdered Sugar: This coats the mix to make it sweet and dusted like snow. You can use a powdered sugar substitute made from cornstarch or try coconut sugar powder for a different twist.
Festive Sprinkles: These add charm and holiday spirit. If you want to avoid sugar sprinkles, try small red and green candies or crushed peppermint for extra flavor.
How Do I Get the Candy Coating to Cover the Cereal Evenly?
Getting every piece coated nicely makes Puppy Chow so tasty. Here’s how I do it:
- Mix melted chocolate, peanut butter, and butter thoroughly until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Pour this slowly over the cereal while gently folding with a spatula. Move carefully to avoid breaking the cereal.
- Transfer coated cereal into a large sealable bag before adding powdered sugar—this makes shaking to coat easier and less messy.
- Shake the bag gently at first, then more vigorously until all pieces look well covered in powdered sugar.
- Spread the coated cereal on a tray to cool a bit so it sets perfectly and stops pieces from sticking together.
Following these steps helps the coating stick to each piece, making your Puppy Chow sweet, crunchy, and wonderfully festive every time.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl – I use this to toss and coat the cereal easily without spilling.
- Microwave-safe bowl – perfect for melting the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter quickly.
- Spatula or wooden spoon – helps mix everything smoothly and gently fold the coating into the cereal.
- Sealably large plastic bag or container with lid – great for shaking the powdered sugar over the coated cereal evenly.
- Baking sheet or large tray – for spreading out the Puppy Chow to set and dry without clumping.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Use white chocolate or caramel melts instead of regular chocolate for a different flavor and appearance.
- Mix in mini candies like M&Ms or crushed peppermint candies for extra color and crunch.
- Swap peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for a nutty flare or allergy-friendly version.
- Add chopped nuts or pretzels to give your Puppy Chow extra texture and flavor.
Christmas Puppy Chow
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 9 cups Rice Chex or similar rice cereal
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar
- Red and green festive sprinkles or holiday-themed sugar decorations
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare, plus about 10 minutes to cool and set. It’s quick and easy, so you’ll have a festive treat ready in no time!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cereal Base:
Pour the Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl and set it aside. This will be the base for your Puppy Chow.
2. Melt the Chocolate Mixture:
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and unsalted butter. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
3. Coat the Cereal:
Pour the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Gently stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until every piece of cereal is evenly coated.
4. Add the Powdered Sugar:
Transfer the coated cereal into a large sealable plastic bag or container with a lid. Add about 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, seal it, and shake well until the cereal is fully coated. Add more powdered sugar if you want a thicker dusting.
5. Cool and Add Festive Sprinkles:
Spread the coated cereal on a large baking sheet or tray to cool and dry for about 10 minutes. Once it’s set, sprinkle the red and green holiday sprinkles over the top and gently toss to combine for a cheerful look.
6. Serve or Package:
Serve your Christmas Puppy Chow in a festive bowl or divide into fun holiday-themed gift bags to share cheer with friends and family!
Can I Use Different Types of Cereal for Puppy Chow?
Absolutely! While Rice Chex is traditional for its light, crispy texture, you can substitute with Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, or any similar square-shaped cereal you enjoy. Just make sure it’s not too fragile to hold up to the coating.
How Should I Store Christmas Puppy Chow?
Store Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want it crunchier, avoid humid environments. It also freezes well—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I Make Puppy Chow Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare it a day or two ahead and keep it stored in an airtight container. Just toss lightly before serving to refresh the coating and sprinkles.
What Can I Use If I’m Allergic to Peanuts?
Don’t worry—you can swap peanut butter for almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or any other allergen-friendly spread. The flavor will vary slightly, but the texture and coating work just as well!