Festive Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe

If you’re looking for a snack that’s perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or just treating yourself during the festive season, I’m so excited to share this Festive Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe with you. It’s a simple, sweet snack mix that everyone goes crazy for, thanks to the perfect blend of peanut butter, chocolate, and holiday sugars that make it feel extra special. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to have it ready all season long!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays its part in making this Festive Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe so addictive. I recommend getting good quality peanut butter and chocolate for the best flavor, and don’t skip the festive sanding sugar—it really nails that holiday vibe.

• Chex cereal: Rice or corn Chex works great; just make sure it’s fresh and crispy for the best texture.
• Semi sweet chocolate chips: Use good-quality chips for melting smoothly and tasting rich without being too sweet.
• Smooth peanut butter: The creamy kind helps coat the cereal evenly without clumps.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps the peanut butter and chocolate blend perfectly.
• Vanilla extract: Just a little gives extra depth to the chocolate-peanut butter coating.
• Powdered sugar: Creates that signature dusty coating that balances sweetness and crunch.
• Festive sanding sugar: Adds colorful sparkle and texture, making this snack ready for holiday gift bags or snacking at parties.

Variations

I love that this Festive Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe is super versatile. Over the years I’ve tweaked it to suit different tastes and dietary needs without losing its charm—feel free to get creative!

• Nut-Free Variation: I swapped peanut butter for sunflower seed butter once for a nut allergy friend, and it was just as good—still rich and creamy.
• Chocolate Variation: Try using white chocolate chips or a mix of milk and dark chocolate for an interesting twist that’s great for holiday variety trays.
• Extra Festive: Toss in some holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes after coating for extra color and crunch—my kids love these surprise bites!
• Spicy Kick: For a grown-up version, add a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon in the chocolate mix to warm things up just a little.

How to Make Festive Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Cereal and Chocolate Mixture

Start by measuring out 9 cups of Chex cereal into a VERY large bowl—trust me on this, the cereal needs room to get coated without breaking. Then, melt together the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once smooth and combined, take it off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let it cool for a couple minutes so the chocolate mixture is warm but not hot—this helps when coating the cereal without melting it.

Step 2: Gently Coat the Cereal

Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal in three batches, folding gently each time to avoid crushing the squares. The key here is patience—take your time folding to make sure all cereal pieces are evenly coated but still whole. This keeps every bite nicely crunchy.

Step 3: Sugar Coating Time

In a large, airtight plastic bag, combine the powdered sugar and festive sanding sugar—this combo gives you that classic snowy look with a colorful twist. Add the coated cereal in portions to the bag, seal it up, and shake well until every piece is fully dusted and sparkly.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Spread the coated puppy chow onto a wax paper-lined rimmed baking sheet in a single layer and pop it in the fridge for about an hour. Chilling helps set the chocolate and sugars so the snack isn’t sticky and stores better. Once chilled, you can keep it at room temperature or in the fridge depending on your preference.

How to Serve Festive Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a bit more festive sanding sugar on top just before serving for extra sparkle. Some years, I’ve also tossed in a few mini marshmallows or holiday-colored M&M’s to mix things up. They add a fun pop of color and sweetness that pairs perfectly.

Side Dishes

This puppy chow is such a flexible snack that I often serve it alongside hot cocoa or coffee for cozy gatherings. It also goes great with simple cheese and charcuterie boards, giving guests a sweet and salty option among the savory bites.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I love packaging this Festive Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe in cute mason jars, tied with holiday ribbon and a handwritten label. It always gets a smile! For parties, you can fill festive bowls or even serve in paper cones lined with wax paper—easy for guests to grab a serving without the mess.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay fresh for up to a week. I’ve found that storing it away from humid areas helps keep the cereal crisp rather than soggy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this mix a couple of times with good results. Just place it in a freezer-safe bag, squeeze out extra air, and thaw at room temperature before serving. It won’t lose texture and still tastes great after thawing.

Reheating

No need to reheat this festive snack—it’s best served at room temperature or chilled. If the chocolate seems sticky, just give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the coating.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Festive Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe has become one of my go-to holiday treats because it’s so easy, crowd-pleasing, and festive without being fussy. From kids’ school parties to casual family gatherings, it always gets devoured quickly. I hope you find it as fun to make and eat as I do—and if you try it, let me know how it turned out! It’s like a little holiday magic in every crunchy, sweet bite.

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