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Christmas Puppy Chow – Crunchy, Sweet & Perfectly Festive

This Christmas Puppy Chow is the ultimate holiday snack—crunchy Chex cereal coated in melted chocolate, creamy peanut butter, vanilla, and a thick snowy layer of powdered sugar. Then it’s finished with colorful Christmas sprinkles for the perfect festive crunch! It’s sweet, addictive, budget-friendly, and incredibly easy to make in just a few minutes. This no-bake treat is perfect for Christmas parties, gifting, movie nights, dessert tables, or filling mason jars as adorable presents. Each bite delivers the perfect mix of crunchy, chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness that feels like pure holiday magic.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cooling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 9 cups Chex cereal rice or corn
  • 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup Smooth peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup Unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Coating & Toppings
  • 2 cups Powdered sugar
  • 1 cup Festive Christmas sprinkles red, green, white
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Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Rubber spatula
  • Large zip-top bags (optional)
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Measuring cups
  • Spoon

Method
 

  1. 🔹 PART 1 — PREPARE THE CHEX BASE
Step 1 — Add Chex to a Large Bowl
  1. Pour 9 cups Chex cereal into a very large mixing bowl.
  2. Make sure it has space—it will be coated and tossed.
  3. 🔹 PART 2 — MAKE THE MELTED CHOCOLATE COATING
Step 2 — Melt Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Butter
  1. In a microwave-safe bowl add:
  2. Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  3. Smooth peanut butter
  4. Butter
  5. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth and silky.
Step 3 — Add Vanilla Extract
  1. Stir vanilla into the warm chocolate mixture.
  2. Mix well to blend flavors.
  3. 🔹 PART 3 — COAT THE CEREAL
Step 4 — Pour Chocolate Mixture Over Chex
  1. Immediately pour melted mixture over the cereal.
  2. Use a spatula to fold gently, coating every piece.
  3. Work slowly so cereal doesn’t break.
Step 5 — Add Powdered Sugar
  1. Option A – Big Bowl Coating
  2. Sprinkle powdered sugar directly over chocolate-coated cereal.
  3. Toss repeatedly until fully coated.
  4. Option B – Zip-Top Bag Method (Cleaner)
  5. Add powdered sugar to a large zip-top bag.
  6. Add chocolate-coated cereal.
  7. Seal.
  8. Shake gently until every piece is snowy white.
  9. 🔹 PART 4 — ADD FESTIVE DECORATIONS
Step 6 — Add Christmas Sprinkles
  1. Pour sprinkles over the coated cereal.
  2. Toss gently to distribute.
  3. Red, green, and white sprinkles give the Christmas magic.
Step 7 — Spread Puppy Chow to Dry
  1. Spread mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  2. Let sit for 20 minutes until set and dry.
Step 8 — Serve or Package
  1. Serve in bowls.
  2. Or package in gift bags, jars, or holiday containers.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Shelf Life
Room Temperature
Store airtight up to 1 week.
Refrigerator
Lasts 2 weeks, extra crunchy.
Freezer
Freeze up to 2 months.
Thaw 10 minutes before serving.
🥄 Variations
1. Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow
Add crushed peppermint candies.
Replace vanilla with peppermint extract (alcohol-free).
2. White Chocolate Christmas Puppy Chow
Use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
3. Nut-Free Version
Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
4. Hot Cocoa Puppy Chow
Add mini marshmallows.
Dust lightly with cocoa powder.
5. Strawberry Christmas Puppy Chow
Add freeze-dried strawberries for fruity crunch.
6. Gingerbread Puppy Chow
Add cinnamon & ginger into powdered sugar.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why is my puppy chow soggy?
The chocolate mixture wasn’t fully melted — reheat and mix until smooth.
2. Why doesn’t powdered sugar stick?
Cereal cooled too much before coating — coat while chocolate is still warm.
3. Can I use white chocolate?
Yes — it makes a stunning snowy Christmas version.
4. Can kids eat this?
Yes — fully alcohol-free and kid-safe.
5. Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
It works, but smooth coats better.
6. How do I avoid clumping?
Shake gently in a large bag for even coating.
7. Can I double the recipe?
Yes — perfect for parties.
8. Can I package this as gifts?
Absolutely — it’s excellent for Christmas presents.
9. Can I add pretzels?
Yes — adds extra crunch and saltiness.
10. Can I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free Chex cereal.
🏁 Conclusion
This Christmas Puppy Chow is the easiest and most festive holiday treat — crunchy, chocolatey, sweet, and coated in snowy powdered sugar with bright sprinkles. It’s a 10-minute recipe that looks beautiful and tastes incredible. Perfect for gifting, parties, stocking stuffers, or cozy Christmas nights, this treat brings fun, crunch, and holiday spirit to every bite. Whether enjoyed by kids or adults, it's sure to become a yearly Christmas tradition in your home.