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Peppermint Puppy Chow

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This Peppermint Puppy Chow is a simple yet crowd-pleasing holiday treat made with chocolate Chex, peppermint candy, and chocolate spread. It’s the perfect Christmas dessert!

Easy Christmas Muddy Buddies

If you love chocolate and peppermint as much as I do, then you’re going to LOVE this double chocolate peppermint puppy chow. It’s the same idea as classic peanut butter chocolate puppy chow, but made with chocolate spread instead of peanut butter and given a Christmas-y twist with Andes peppermint Chips and peppermint extract!

This really is the perfect holiday treat. You can whip it up in just a few short minutes, it makes a huge batch, and it travels super well. This if a great holiday gift to give it to friends, teacher, neighbors you name it! It’s also one of the best desserts to bring to a party. Of course, just hoard it at home to grab handfuls of every 20 minutes or so to.

What is the Difference Between Puppy Chow and Muddy Buddies?

There is none! The terms “puppy chow” and “muddy buddies” are used to refer to the same sweet treat, depending on where you live. Other terms you might have heard are monkey munch, reindeer chow, muddy munch, or even doggy bag!

bowl of chocolate peppermint puppy chow from above

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here’s everything you will need for this peppermint puppy chow recipe:

For the Mix:

  • Chocolate Chex Cereal – I like to use the chocolate Chex cereal (because hello, more chocolate) but regular Chex cereal will work as well.
  • White Chocolate Chips
  • Andes Peppermint Chips – you can also use Andes Peppermint Thins or Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses and just chop them up.
  • Hershey’s Chocolate Spread – if you would prefer to go the classic route and use peanut butter feel free to do that instead.
  • Butter
  • Peppermint Extract

For the Coating:

  • Andes Peppermint Chips finely chopped or ground into a powder with a food processor gives it an extra peppermint kick!
  • Powdered Sugar
closeup of puppy chow spread out

How to Make Puppy Chow

This recipe comes together super quickly and makes a huge batch.

  • Make chocolate coating. In a microwave safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips, Andes chips, and chocolate Hershey’s spread. Melt in the microwave in 30 second increments until the chocolate is smooth. Add in peppermint extract and melted butter. Stir until well combined.
  • Combine chocolate and cereal. Place Chex cereal in a large bowl, then pour the melted chocolate mixture on top. Use a spatula to gently fold the chocolate into the cereal so the cereal is as evenly coated as possible.
  • Add peppermint powder. Take 1/2 cup Andes Peppermint Chips and grind them in a food processor until they resemble a fine powder. Shake the powder over the chocolate-coated cereal and gently mix.
  • Coat with powdered sugar. Place the powdered sugar into a large Ziploc bag, fill 1/2 full with the cereal mix, then seal and shake to coat. Repeat until all the cereal is coated, adding more powdered sugar as needed.
  • Cool. Spread the finished puppy chow in a single layer on a baking sheet and let cool completely before serving.

My Best Tips

Here are a few tips and tricks for making the best possible puppy chow!

  • Use an extra large bowl. This recipes makes a lot so make sure you mix everything up in a large enough bowl. You don’t want to be struggling to get the cereal fully coated.
  • Add the coating before it cools. Make sure you add the powdered sugar and peppermint chips before the chocolate cools so it sticks.
  • Mix carefully. Use a spatula to gently mix the cereal with the chocolate mixture. If you stir too aggressively, you’ll crush the cereal.
  • Leave the clumps. It’s okay if a few pieces of cereal stick together in clumps with the chocolate. Those are the best part!
  • Let it cool before serving. Spread the prepped puppy chow out on a baking sheet to cool before you try to serve it. Otherwise you’ll end up with a sticky, melty mess.
  • If you don’t have a microwave, you can use a double boiler to melt the chocolate so it doesn’t burn.
  • Gift it. Puppy chow is super easy to transport. Package it up in mason jars or a decorative bag tied up with a bow and give it to friends and family as holiday gifts!
mason jar with peppermint puppy chow tied with a bow

How to Store Finished Puppy Chow

Puppy chow will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days or in the freezer for 1 month. You can bring it to room temperature before serving or enjoy it cold straight from the fridge! If frozen, thaw in the fridge before serving!

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a white dish filled with muddy buddies and Candy Cane Hersheys Kisses

Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow

  • Author: Julianne Dell
  • Prep Time: 60 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 11 cups

Description

This Peppermint Puppy Chow is a simple yet crowd-pleasing holiday treat made with chocolate Chex, peppermint candy, and chocolate spread. It’s the perfect Christmas dessert!

Ingredients

For the mix

  • 9 cups Chocolate Chex cereal (or any variety)
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • ½ cup Andes Peppermint Chips (or chopped Andes Thins)
  • ½ cup Hershey’s Chocolate  Spread
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ½ tsp peppermint extract

For the coating

  • ½ cups Andes Peppermint chips, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. In a microwave-proof bowl, combine white chocolate chips, Andes chips, chocolate Hershey’s spread, and melt in the microwave for 30-second increments until the chocolate is melted and stirred smooth.
  2. Add peppermint extract and slowly add melted butter, stirring until well combined. If you think your mixture is still too thick, add additional melted butter, 1/2 tablespoon at a time.
  3. In an extra large bowl, combine the Chex cereal and pour the melted chocolate mixture over the top of the cereal. Use a spatula to gently fold the chocolate into the cereal. Try to coat the cereal as evenly as possible.
  4. Take ½ cup Andes Peppermint Chips and grind in a food processor into a fine powder. Shake over chocolate-coated cereal and gently mix.
  5. Place powdered sugar in a large Ziploc bag and fill 1/2 full with cereal mix. Seal it and shake it to coat the cereal. Repeat until all the cereal is coated. Add additional powdered sugar as needed.
  6. Spread out in a single layer on a cookie sheet and allow it to cool completely.
  7. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. It is best enjoyed the same day.

Notes

  • Use with Andes Baking Chips or Andes Peppermint Thins. One package (4.6oz) of peppermint thins has 28 pcs. You’ll need about 16 pcs chopped to get 1/2 cup. I recommend getting 2 package of the thins for this recipe, so you have enough to sprinkle over top. If you are using the baking chips, one package (10oz) should be fine. If you can’t find Andes, you can substitute with Hersheys Candy Cane Kisses
Nutrition Information:
1 cup
440
42g
211mg
20g
61.7g
1.4g
4.3g
25mg
  • Category: Snacks
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: American

More Easy No-Bake Holiday Recipes

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11 Responses
  1. Kelly

    I love seeing all these peppermint and chocolate goodies especially during this time of year 🙂 I still have a stash of Andes mints so this festive puppy chow sounds perfect and love that it comes together so quickly! Pinning and thanks for sharing Julianne 🙂

  2. Wendy

    Great holiday puppy chow, Julianne! This would look pretty in jars or bags as gifts too! 🙂

    Why the last post to The Cooking Spot?

  3. Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats

    Double chocolate anything in my book is a winner! This looks delicious! Tis the season for peppermint!

  4. Courtney @ Neighborfood

    What a fantastic combination. Can’t go wrong with two kinds of chocolate + peppermint. And everyone appreciates a quick recipe this time of year!

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