Festive Reindeer Food Christmas Puppy Chow
This festive puppy chow is a quick, no-bake holiday treat featuring crunchy Chex cereal coated in a creamy chocolate-peanut butter mixture, tossed in powdered sugar, and finished with colorful candies and sprinkles. It’s perfect for parties, gifting, and snacking, delivering nostalgic comfort and holiday cheer in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal (or Corn Chex)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (or sunflower butter for nut-free)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup red and green holiday M&Ms (or seasonal chocolate candies)
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles (optional)
- 1/2 cup mini pretzels (optional)
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts (optional, or pepitas for nut-free)
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Measure out all ingredients and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, and white chocolate chips (if using). Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and melted (about 2 minutes total). Stir in vanilla extract.
- Place Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Pour the melted mixture over the cereal and gently fold with a spatula until evenly coated.
- Transfer coated cereal into a large zip-top bag, paper bag, or bowl with a lid. Add powdered sugar, seal, and shake until well coated. Break up any clumps gently.
- Spread puppy chow in a single layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Let cool for about 15 minutes.
- Once cool, sprinkle in holiday M&Ms, sprinkles, and any optional add-ins like pretzels or peanuts. Toss gently to distribute.
- Taste and adjust powdered sugar if desired.
- Serve in a festive bowl or package in cellophane bags for gifting. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.
Notes
For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free Chex and candies. For nut-free, swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and omit peanuts. Add candies after cooling to prevent color bleeding. Store in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for up to a month. If mixture is sticky, add more powdered sugar and let cool completely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (50g) pe
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: puppy chow, Christmas snack, holiday dessert, reindeer food, Chex mix, no-bake, party treat, festive, easy recipe