Muddy Buddies (a.k.a. Puppy Chow)
Muddy buddies are equal parts crunchy, salty, sweet, and addictive. Make this recipe in ten minutes or less using only six ingredients!
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Muddy buddies are one of my favorite holiday treats and here’s why I love them so much. First, they are aesthetically pleasing. They look like a rocky mountain covered in snow, which makes them a great snack for serving on your holiday menu. Second, you can grab one or two if you just want a little something sweet, or go for a handful if you’re dedicated to the cause. They are the perfect snack for a sweet tooth whom has the light munchies…until you find that you can’t stop! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
What are Muddy Buddies made of?
Muddy Buddies are a crunchy snack mix made with cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, butter, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar.
What’s the difference between Muddy Buddies and Puppy Chow?
There’s no difference! Muddy Buddies are also commonly known as Puppy Chow or Reindeer Chow.
Why do Muddy Buddies get soggy?
If you stir too slowly, the cereal will get soggy. Move quickly to avoid soggy Muddy Buddies. Stir carefully but quickly after you add the melted chocolate and peanut butter and make sure to mix the ingredients well.
Are Muddy Buddies a Midwest thing?
Yes! Muddy Buddies are primarily a homemade snack and party staple in the Midwestern States.
Recipe Variations for Muddy Buddies
Chocolate variations - try replacing semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips.
Nut butter variations - try swapping peanut butter for your favorite nut butter.
How can I store Muddy Buddies to keep them from going stale?
The best solution is to store leftover muddy buddies in a ziplock or airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also freeze muddy buddies for up to 3 months and then let it thaw on the countertop at least an hour before serving.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
two spatulas
Gallon ziplock bag (optional)
How to Make Muddy Buddies
Ingredients
8 cups corn chex cereal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup salted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
Directions
Place wax paper over a pan and set aside. Measure out chex cereal into a large bowl (the larger the bowl, the less messy this will be) and set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together on low heat, mixing continuously until everything is melted and blended together. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract. Pour the chocolate mixture over the chex cereal.
Using a spatula in each hand, toss the mixture until the chocolate mixture is coating the chex cereal evenly (this doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure all the chex cereal is covered). Add the powdered sugar to the bowl and toss again until the powdered sugar is coating the chex cereal well. You can add more or less powdered sugar as needed.
(Optional: you can place the chex, once covered in the chocolate mixture, to a gallon size ziplock bag. Add the powdered sugar, zip the bag closed, and shake until the powdered sugar evenly coats the chex. I find this to be messy trying to get the chex into the bag, and then I have a plastic bag to throw away so I skip this step and do it all right in the bowl. Choose whichever method is better for you!)
Pour the mixture onto the wax paper and let them set for at least 1 hour.
More desserts, please! Try these —>
Muddy Buddies (a.k.a. Puppy Chow)
Ingredients
Directions
- Place wax paper over a pan and set aside. Measure out chex cereal into a large bowl (the larger the bowl, the less messy this will be) and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together on low heat, mixing continuously until everything is melted and blended together. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract. Pour the chocolate mixture over the chex cereal.
- Using a spatula in each hand, toss the mixture until the chocolate mixture is coating the chex cereal evenly (this doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure all the chex cereal is covered). Add the powdered sugar to the bowl and toss again until the powdered sugar is coating the chex cereal well. You can add more or less powdered sugar as needed.
- Pour the mixture onto the wax paper and let them set for at least 1 hour.
Notes
You can place the chex, once covered in the chocolate mixture, to a gallon size ziplock bag. Add the powdered sugar, zip the bag closed, and shake until the powdered sugar evenly coats the chex. I find this to be messy trying to get the chex into the bag, and then I have a plastic bag to throw away so I skip this step and do it all right in the bowl. Choose whichever method is better for you!
*Nutrition is auto-calculated by recipes generator.
