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Oh, just the most addicting little snack in all the holiday land.
Crunch crunch crunch.
Puppy Chow, Muddy Buddies… whatever you call these sweet, powder sugary, addictive little Chex Cereal bites… I know you won’t be able to get enough.
This weekend I turned my beloved Puppy Chow upside down and threw in Christmas’ favorite treat.
Candy Canes !!
This recipe is actually inspired by the Chew Mix Muddy Buddies Peppermint Bark I spotted at Target the other day. Be still my heart, there is a peppermint version? I knew I had to make this Christmas treat myself once I checked out and headed home.
For the record, I somehow spent $50 on a scarf, candy canes, gum, and dish soap. HOW does Target do that to us? I digress.
We have a simple recipe today. A blessing, especially after all that hard work we put in for Thanksgiving Day!
Four ingredients is all it takes. No bake, no chilling, no sweat, no fret. The magical mixture of rice Chex cereal, white chocolate, crushed candy canes, and powdered sugar shake together to make your new favorite holiday treat.
First, melt the white chocolate. No magic tricks here – just melt in the microwave according to package directions. I used Bakers White Chocolate bars. It’s so smooth, creamy, and melts in the microwave SO easily.
Once melted, pour the white chocolate over the Chex cereal. I go with the Rice Chex Cereal over the Corn Chex when I’m making puppy chow. The Rice variety hardly has any flavor – perfect for recipes like this.
Next, crush up some festive candy canes and throw them into the mix – I went with the green and red striped variety for an added pop of color. Regular candy canes will work just fine. 
The fourth and final ingredient is your confectioners sugar. This is the fun part. Pour 1 cup of the soft powdery sugar into a large ziplock bag. Add your melty white chocolate chex/candy canes and go to town.
Shake shake shake!
There! You’ve got yourself a hefty dose of Christmas crunch right there, folks.
Just a warning – eating too much of this at midnight will keep you up for hours. I speak from experience. Hellooo, sugar!
Ok, who’s ready for Christmas treats??
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makes 5 cups
Ingredients
- 5 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 10 ounces melting white chocolate OR vanilla flavored Almond Bark
- 1 cup crushed candy canes
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Pour 5 cups of Chex Cereal into a large bowl. Melt white chocolate/almond bark according to the package directions. Pour melted chocolate over cereal, stirring and folding until the cereal is completely covered. Fold in the crushed candy canes
- In a large zipped top bag or covered container, add the powdered sugar. Pour the chocolate covered cereal/candy canes into the large bag or container. Seal the bag or container and shake until all the cereal is coated with the powdered mixture.
- Discard excess powder. Store at room temperature up to 2 weeks, if it lasts that long!
Notes
RECIPE SOURCE: sallysbakingaddiction.com
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
Do you have any “addictive” little treat recipes?
Especially around the holidays, I love things like candied nuts, homemade Chex Mix, caramel corn, chocolate covered pretzels, you name it! We make a slew of treats like this in December and I can’t wait to share them with you!
Here are some other treats I can NEVER seem to put down…
Soft-Baked Cookies
Like my White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies or my Peanut Butter Lovers’ Cookies:
Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Candies Nuts – you cannot eat just one, trust me.
Perfect Peanut Butter Frosting - I assure you, this stuff is ADDICTING.
Loaded Caramel Dipped Pretzel Rods
Dark Chocolate Cherry Nutella Granola – at least it’s healthy!
Skinny Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Dip – another healthy addicting treat!
{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so fun, it looks amazing! I love puppy chow but rarely make it. Must try this, Sally!
Cassie | Bake Your Day recently posted..Bake It Forward Giveaway
Thanks Cassie! It was hard to photograph with all the white going on, so I am SO GLAD you said it looks good!
I bet this is so unbelievable and amazing. Awesome idea! I just realized I have some dark chocolate/mint chips that expire soon. I bet they’d be awesome in puppy chow!
luv what you do recently posted..Enjoy Every Mile
I’m trying this with dark chocolate next!! Thank you my friend
I’m SO ready for Christmas treats! Been looking forward to this for a long time
This looks so good – and I just bought my first box of candy canes – perfect!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes recently posted..Homemade Bread Stuffing
perfect timing, indeed! I love candy canes in any form – pure, in cookies, fudge, or sprinkled over puppy chow
Just saw these on your Instagram and had to come right over and take a look! So yum! and as always what beautiful pictures! You have been pinned!
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen recently posted..Dressed Up Mac and Cheese Soup
Thank you for the comment on my photos, I had a hard time with the lighting that day! And thank you so much for the pin Chandra
So festive, Sally! And my 11-year-old is now drooling over some of your food pics. Even he knows quality photos when he sees them
Julie recently posted..Lighten Up! Ham and Spinach Quiche
Hi miss julie! Your 11-year old has a good eye, indeed! And an amazing cook as a mommy!
LOVE this! I can totally see myself crunching on it while watching Christmas movies! Yep, I just made my plans
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet recently posted..Weekend Wrap-Up
LOVE IT, Anna!! I munched on it at midnight sitting on the computer. Your way sounds much more fun!
I am all about puppy chow! I made white chocolate puppy chow right about this time last year! And I am still thinking about it
Love the idea of adding peppermint! And Shelly from C & C just posted white choc peppermint popcorn. Something’s in the air – and I want it!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Tiny Food Party Cookbook Giveaway
I am a tad obsessed with puppy chow Averie! Anything “chex mix-y” is top on my list. I can NEVER stop munching at it! I haven’t seen Shelly’s recipe yet! I need to catch up on my reader.
Sally, you’re a genius! I saw the same Chex Mix at Target last weekend but it never occurred to me to make a homemade version! Totally doing this, and I love that dark chocolate idea in the comments section!
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) recently posted..Mint Chocolate Chip Funfetti Cookies
when i first spotted it I literally stopped and gawked over it. “totally doing this” I said to myself. I didn’t even TRY the regular version so umm.. I’m guess it tastes like this? hehe!
Ooooooooh, I’m all about the peppermint! And in puppy chow? Holy cow, this is gonna be dangerous.
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Black Friday $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
It should come with a warning label, Ashley…
Just a thought, what if a little food coloring in the chocolate would not be so white.
That would work, definitely! But I didn’t want to add any dye to the white chocolate! Good suggestion though for next time.
I was wondering what puppy chow was and now I know… I feel so educated on US cereals!
Are these anything like Shreddies? Do you even get Shreddies there? Like knitted pieces of shredded wheat. I’d love to make some of these but trying to think what I could sub them with? Any ideas?
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted..Sugar & Slice Sunday Link Party #3
Hi Lisa! It looks like Shreddies are the same thing as Chex Wheat. The chex cereal I used for this puppy chow is Rice chex – made from rice, not wheat. You could try to use the shreddies though! They are denser than rice chex.
my college friends & i were OBSESSED with puppy chow. we always used corn chex, and the more powder the better. sounds like a great variety
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef recently posted..Menu Plan
I am IN. LOVE. with this. I think you’re the only one in the world who loves peppermint as much as I do. It’s THE BEST! I already know I’d have ZERO resistance around this mix.. yet somehow even with that element of danger, I know I NEED to make it and need to make it soon. It looks SO tempting and delicious!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Frosted Eggnog Spice Bars with Gingersnap Streusel
peppermint TWINSIES.
I love anything similar to puppy chow! I’m not a huge candy cane fan (SO weird, I know!!) but I might try your recipe with toffee
Becky @ Olives n Wine recently posted..Weekly Health Goals – Week of November 25th, 2012
Toffee puppy chow?? OMG you must send me some if you make that! Actually, I need to make it myself this holiday season! YUM!
Can I just tell you puppy chow is probably my very favorite thing in the entire world. I make it every year around the holidays, and this one has me thinking it’s time to change up the normal recipe! Such a great idea Sally!
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..Skinnified Sunday: Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
You and I alike, Ari – I love my puppy chow too!!
Ohmigosh Sally. I’m in luuuuuuurve. Muddy Puddies + Peppermint OMG.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Gingerbread Oreo Stuffed Snickerdoodles
I have been working on my own version of peppermint puppy chow. I feel like we’re always on the same wavelength, Sally! Totally agree about Target too. I buy candy and soap and spend a ton of money. But candy and soap are life essentials so it’s okay, right?
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Levain Bakery Oatmeal Cookies
I am my own worst enemy when I shop at Target lol! Thanks Laura!
Cameron just mentioned the other day that I need to make puppy chow. Now I know which one to make!
The Witch’s Kitchen recently posted..Random Weekend~
Let me know how it turns out!! Love this stuff!
This is like white chocolate peppermint bark (one of my favorite xmas treats) made 100x better Sally! I’m in LOVE! Can’t wait to make this for my nephews stocking stuffers.
Reeni recently posted..Pasta Puttanesca Soup
I LOVE peppermint bark too Reeni. Love love love. Of course you would love it too, we like all the same things it seems like! Perfect stocking stuffers – you are a sweet aunt
What a wonderful start to the Christmas season! I am imagining bringing this “chow” to my coworkers at the office…and it disappearing in like two minutes flat. Such a crowd pleaser, I bet!!!
These “nutty cracker delights” are a fav treat of mine to make for friends/family this time of year. Highly addictive! http://whatisbakinginthebarbershop.blogspot.com/2009/12/nutty-cracker-delights.html
Colleen @ What’s Baking in the Barbershop?! recently posted..Happy Thanksgiving!
nutty cracker delights – they sound amazing! thank you for the helpful link Colleen!
Sally, yum. Is there really anything left to say???
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Peppermint Fudge and a Christmas Giveaway
I always spend a huge fortune at Target, and I only buy like 3 things!
And this puppy chow is amazing! It’s definitely getting my in the spirit of Christmas!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Philly Cheesesteak Pizza with Balsamic Fig Reduction and a Giveaway!
Target gets me every time.
I love it and hate it at the same time!
It’s decided, I will be making this over the weekend. Puppy chow is an all time favorite, but this is such a great way to tweak it! Target is so bizarre isn’t it? Everything seems so cheap on the shelves, and yet I can never escape that place without dropping $100. They SO know what they’re doing in there.
Jess recently posted..Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting
puppy chow is one of my faves too Jess! How does Target do it??? They are geniuses! Glad you agree with me!
Brilliant idea for a more festive puppy chow (I’ve also heard it called reindeer chow, though this version could even be snowman chow)! I have a friend who I am convinced would love puppy chow, but can’t eat nuts and this would be perfect for him. Definitely making it for gifts this holiday season
Emilia recently posted..Cornetto Chronicles: The DIY Version
Hi Emilia! Thank you – and I love the reindeer/snowman chow name! So clever, I’m going to call it that now when I make it again!
This is SO perfect for the holidays!
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Baked Pumpkin with Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Leave it to you to come up with a perfectly festive and delicious version of puppy chow!
Mercedes recently posted..Fluffer Nutter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
First, puppy chow is the cutest name of any baked good. It makes my puppy fever even worse.
And this?! Ugh. I’ve never tried puppy chow and I desperately want to. Dear Chex, please export your stuff to Germany! This looks amazing. Such a great combination of flavors!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking recently posted..Grain- and Gluten-free Soft and Chewy Ginger Cookies
I wish I could instruct Chex to send you some! I’m glad you checked out and like this recipe regardless Erin
You are the best.
I saw this at Target and totally thought of you:-) Somehow I just knew you would come up with an uber fab at home version. This looks so delicious…and dangerous:-) I’m not sure I would be able to stop eating this if I had it in my hands!!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Trick or Treat Tuesday
it’s purely addicting Jocelyn. And i’ve never actually tried the store bought kind before!
How do you bake/make homade Chex mix? Besides, that puppy chow looks amazing… simply divine!
I dont’ have our family recipe with me, but the chef website has the traditional chex mix recipe if you’d like to make that! Thanks Anndy! http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=6709
I say the same thing about Target each time I leave that place! I can’t leave there empty handed. I was very close to buying a bag of the Chex Mix today but will definitely try to make it at home instead now.
Jen recently posted..Pumpkin Bread
I think it’s in a Target air – or they are just marketing geniuses.
Let me know how it goes if/when you make is Jen!
Wow! Saw this recipe at work, bought the supplies on the way home and just finished making them! I am beyond hooked! Soooo good and easy! Dont if they will last to the weekend lol.
On a side note I do agree about target! I cant leave w just one thing. They must put something in the air…or so I tell myself :c)
Talitha recently posted..Pro’s And Con’s To Working At Con’s!
Hey Talitha! – aren’t you just in love with this chow? I still can’t believe how easy it is to make and I’m glad you made it too! I can hardly contain myself in Target. It’s an addiction.
I told ya I’d be back to comment! =) I absolutely adore peppermint, especially this time of the year, so this looks just amazing to me. Wish I had a bowl in front of me right now – I could use an afternoon sweet pick-me-up.
amy @ fearless homemaker recently posted..Pasta With Lentil “Bolognese”
you’re so sweet Amy and sorry about that earlier – my site has been a little funky the past week with a server upgrade!
I made this and put it in a festive cloth bag for a work gift exchange. The puppy chow was passed around and people wanted the recipe. Plan to make lots this December!
Hi Kathy! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how much you and your coworkers liked this recipe! That means a lot! I plan to make it a lot more this holiday season as well.
Hi Sally! How long do you let your puppy chow mix cool BEFORE covering in powedered sugar? I find that my powdered sugar always melts….but if I wait too long, it doesn’t stick. Any tips?
Hi Caroline! I do not let the puppy chow cool – I immediately shake it up in a large baggie with the powdered sugar. I’ve never had a problem doing so. Perhaps try waiting about 5 minutes? That may help. Thank you!
I made this just the other night as little Christmas gifts for some girls I lead a Bible study for! They loved it and a few have already asked for the recipe! I love the peppermint spin on the puppy chow; next time I might even try adding some peppermint extract to the white chocolate! Thanks for sharing!!
peppermint extract to the white chocoalte – love that idea! I’ll try that next time. Thank you for writing in and reporting back – that means a lot! I’m glad you and the bible study gals enjoyed it
Yum. My idea was to do this with melted peppermint kisses
That sounds great! Those are my favorite variety of Hershey’s Kisses. Wish they were available year round.
How may cals are in this do you think??
Hi Carson. My blog is not focused on calories or nutrition stats in food, so I do not post them. You are more than nwelcome to plug the recipe’s ingredients into a calorie counter and divide by however many servings you make.
I made these over the weekend and they tasted so good! My only question – how did you get the peppermint to show up so nicely? When I shook everything up in the powdered sugar, it coated the peppermint, so the mix just looked white. Not as pretty as your pictures. Thanks for any tips!
Hi Lisa! So glad you like this puppy chow – I’m not sure how my candy canes showed up and yours didn’t. Try adding them after you coat the chow with powdered sugar next time or maybe use less sugar in your case. They may not stick as well though!
Thanks for the tip, I will try that next time! By the way, I liked these so much I started following you on Pinterest.
Thanks Lisa! Glad to hear that!
I feel like this needs a more festive name…like Reindeer Chow! I hope you don’t mind if I call it that.
I plan on making some for my sister-in-law’s Christmas party this coming weekend. Can’t wait to try it. It looks soooo delicious!!
Jessica recently posted..Chocolate Covered Christmas.
Thanks Jessica! I thought the peppermint crunch was pretty festive but reindeer chow is adorable! Love that. This recipe is a huge hit at parties – people can NEVER stop munching on it! Handful after handful…
I made something similar! Instead of using white chocolate I melted Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses! I also prefer Crispix to Chex, but that part doesn’t really matter. It turned out great and I am now the designated dessert maker in the family!
Celina, I love that idea! Those candy cane kisses are one of my favorite kiss flavors. I should try crispix sometime, I love that cereal alone with milk in the morning so why not try it in this dessert mix? I am the dessert maker in the family as well! (obviously!)
It isn’t Christmas at our house until the Cream Wafers are made. I told my Husband I wasn’t going to start making them until his Mother was dead.
Because they are a pain. But happy to say Grandma Ginny still alive and kick’n!!!! But I have broken down and started to bake them 3 years ago. A to die for cookie that we make once a year.
Homemade Cream Wafers sound wonderful! I have recipes I only make once per year as well – makes them much more special that way.
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