If you’re looking for a festive, crunchy, and downright addictive snack to make this holiday season, I’ve got just the thing for you. I absolutely love how this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe turns out — it’s that perfect balance of chocolatey richness, peanut butter goodness, and a little sweet crunch from the sanding sugar that makes it an instant crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re making it for a party, gift bags, or just to satisfy your own seasonal sweet tooth, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple to Make: You only need a handful of ingredients and minimal hands-on time to whip this up.
- Perfectly Festive Flavor: The sanding sugar adds that extra sparkle and sweet holiday touch you won’t find in everyday recipes.
- Crowd Favorite: I’ve seen this disappear at every party I’ve brought it to — your guests will thank you.
- Versatile and Fun: It’s a wonderful snack for kids and adults alike, and you can easily customize it to fit your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work together to create that magical mix of texture and flavor. The Chex cereal gives the recipe its crisp base, while the chocolate and peanut butter provide rich flavor. The powdered sugar coats every piece perfectly, and the festive sanding sugar brings in just the right touch of holiday sparkle and whimsy.
- Chex cereal: Use the original or rice variety for that light crunch—make sure to have a BIG bowl because it looks like a lot but needs room to mix.
- Semi sweet chocolate chips: They melt beautifully and give a balanced sweetness without overpowering the peanut butter.
- Smooth peanut butter: Creamy is the way to go here for that smooth coating on each piece.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps everything come together silky smooth.
- Vanilla extract: Just a hint to brighten the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
- Powdered sugar: The key to getting that classic “puppy chow” coating, making each bite sweet and dusted perfectly.
- Festive sanding sugar: This is what makes it Christmas-ready — the sparkly sugar crystals add color and a slight crunch that says “holiday party!”
Variations
I love that this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe is so adaptable. Over time, I’ve tried adding a few twists — and honestly, that’s part of the fun. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!
- Add peppermint extract: I swapped vanilla for peppermint once and it gave the mix a refreshing holiday minty punch that my family couldn’t get enough of.
- Use white chocolate chips: For a sweeter, creamier version, white chocolate works beautifully, especially paired with red and green sanding sugar for the holidays.
- Include nuts or pretzels: For some crunch variety, toss in chopped pecans or mini pretzels before coating to add an extra salty-sweet dimension.
- Make it gluten-free: Just double-check you’re using gluten-free Chex cereal and your favorite peanut butter to keep it safe for sensitive guests.
How to Make Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Cereal Base Comfortably
Start by measuring out the 9 cups of Chex cereal into a really large mixing bowl—trust me, you want extra space here. When it’s time to fold in the chocolate mixture, you’ll thank yourself for using a big bowl so the cereal doesn’t smash. Set this aside for now.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Butter Together
On medium heat, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a small saucepan. Stir constantly to prevent scorching until everything is melted and glossy. When I first tried this, I almost turned the heat too high and the chocolate seized, so steady medium heat pays off big time. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract. Give it a couple of minutes to cool slightly — this helps avoid melting your Chex cereal when you coat it.
Step 3: Gently Toss the Cereal With the Chocolate Mixture
Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex in three parts, folding each time very gently. You want every piece coated, but without breaking the cereal. I learned to fold carefully rather than stir aggressively — it really keeps the pieces intact and makes the mix more satisfying to snack on.
Step 4: Shake the Coated Cereal With Sugars for a Sparkly Finish
Mix the powdered sugar and festive sanding sugar in a large sealable plastic bag. Add the coated cereal in batches, sealing the bag and shaking gently to evenly coat with sugar. Transfer each batch to a wax paper-lined rimmed baking sheet, spreading into one even layer. Chill for about an hour so it sets perfectly. This chilling step is key — if skipped, your puppy chow might be sticky or clumpy.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
- Use a Large Mixing Bowl: I always grab a bowl way bigger than I think I need to avoid crushed cereal when folding and tossing.
- Let the Chocolate Cool Slightly: Patience here avoids soggy or melted cereal—give it at least 2-3 minutes off heat before mixing.
- Fold, Don’t Stir Vigorously: Gentle folding keeps all your pieces whole and prevents a crumbly final result.
- Chill Before Serving: Setting it in the fridge makes sure the chocolate is firm and the sugar coating is beautifully crisp.
How to Serve Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little extra festive sanding sugar on top just before serving—it adds an extra festive sparkle that gets everyone excited. If I’m feeling extra, a tiny dusting of edible glitter turns this snack into eye candy!
Side Dishes
This Christmas Puppy Chow tastes fantastic paired with a mug of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider. I often bring it along at cookie exchanges alongside classic holiday cookies for a fun sweet-and-salty combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like to serve this in clear glass jars layered with alternating red and green sanding sugar or in colorful treat bags tied with festive ribbon. It also makes adorable edible “gifts in a jar” to surprise neighbors and friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature. I find it stays perfectly fresh and crunchy for about a week. Just avoid humid spots to keep the coating intact.
Freezing
I’ve frozen puppy chow before by placing it in a sealed freezer bag. When thawed, it keeps its texture and flavor nicely. Just make sure to let it come back to room temperature before serving so the chocolate isn’t too hard or cold.
Reheating
This snack doesn’t really need reheating, but if your mix gets a bit cold, just leave it out for 30 minutes at room temperature before serving to bring back that perfect chew and flavor.
FAQs
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Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
You can definitely try crunchy peanut butter, but keep in mind it will add extra texture that may change the smoothness of the coating. If you like a little more bite and peanut chunks, go for it!
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Is it necessary to chill the puppy chow before serving?
Chilling isn’t strictly necessary, but it helps the chocolate set and ensures the powdered and sanding sugars stick well, giving a cleaner coating that’s less sticky.
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Can I make this recipe nut-free?
If you need to avoid nuts, swap the peanut butter for a seed butter like sunflower seed butter, and ensure your chocolate is nut-free. This will change the flavor but still keeps the texture great.
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What’s the best way to mix to avoid breaking the cereal?
Folding gently with a spatula instead of stirring vigorously is key. Treat the pieces carefully like you’re folding in delicate ingredients, and you’ll keep them mostly whole and crunchy.
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Can I make this ahead and give as gifts?
Absolutely! I often make a batch a day or two ahead, store it in airtight containers or festive bags, and it stays fresh and delicious for gifting—perfect for last-minute bearers of holiday cheer.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe is one of those festive treats I keep coming back to year after year. It’s super easy to make, endlessly adaptable to your taste preferences, and always gets a stamp of approval from everyone who tries it. I hope you have as much fun making it as I do sharing it. So go ahead, grab your favorite mug, mix up a batch, and enjoy that cozy holiday feeling in every crunchy bite!
Print
Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Puppy Chow recipe is a delightful holiday treat combining crunchy Chex cereal coated in a rich chocolate, peanut butter, and butter mixture, then dusted with powdered sugar and colorful festive sanding sugar for a fun, sweet finish. Perfect for gift-giving or party snacks during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 9 cups Chex cereal
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup festive sanding sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the cereal: Measure 9 cups of Chex cereal and place it into a very large mixing bowl to ensure there is enough space for mixing later. Set aside.
- Melt chocolate mixture: Over medium heat, combine 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, and 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan. Stir constantly until fully melted and smooth.
- Add vanilla and cool: Remove the melted chocolate mixture from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 minutes to cool slightly, preventing it from cooking the cereal.
- Coat the cereal: Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal in 3 batches, folding gently after each addition to evenly coat the cereal pieces without breaking them.
- Mix with sugars: In a large, airtight plastic bag, combine 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 cup festive sanding sugar by shaking well. Add the coated cereal in portions, tossing to cover thoroughly with the sugar mixture, then transfer to a wax paper-lined rimmed baking sheet.
- Chill and set: Spread the coated cereal in a single layer and chill for one hour to allow the chocolate to set firmly. Once set, the Christmas Puppy Chow can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated as preferred.
Notes
- Use a very large bowl for mixing to avoid breaking the cereal when folding in the chocolate mixture.
- Stir chocolate mixture constantly on medium heat to prevent burning and achieve a smooth texture.
- Allowing the chocolate mixture to cool slightly before pouring prevents the cereal from becoming soggy.
- Folding gently is key to keep the Chex cereal pieces intact.
- Use festive sanding sugar to add a colorful, seasonal touch to the treat.
- Store the finished Puppy Chow in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12th of recipe (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
