Description
This festive Reindeer Food Recipe, also known as Christmas Puppy Chow, is a delightful and colorful holiday snack mix combining crunchy Rice Chex cereal, pretzels, melted chocolate and peanut butter, dusted with powdered sugar, and studded with vibrant red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups. Perfect for holiday parties or as a fun treat to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
- 1 ½ cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Combine Cereal and Pretzels: In a large bowl, add 5 cups of Rice Chex cereal and 1 ½ cups of broken mini pretzels. Gently mix to combine the dry ingredients.
- Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl or over the stovetop in a double boiler, melt together 1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips and 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter until smooth and fully combined.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the melted peanut butter and chocolate mixture over the cereal and pretzel mixture. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat all the cereal and pretzel pieces.
- Chill to Set Partially: Place the coated mixture in the refrigerator and chill for about 30 minutes until it begins to set but is still pliable.
- Prepare for Powdered Sugar Coating: Remove the mixture from the refrigerator. In another large bowl, spread ½ cup powdered sugar on the bottom. Add half of the chilled cereal mixture, then sprinkle another ½ cup powdered sugar on top. Add the remaining half of the cereal mixture followed by the remaining powdered sugar.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Gently stir and toss the cereal mixture to evenly distribute the powdered sugar, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
- Chill to Fully Set: Return the mixture to the refrigerator and chill for an additional 30 to 60 minutes until fully set.
- Adjust Powdered Sugar Coating: Once set, add more powdered sugar in ¼ cup increments, stirring gently each time until the cereal and pretzel pieces are thoroughly coated to your liking.
- Add Festive Mix-ins: Fold in 1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms and 1 cup mini peanut butter cups. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Serve: Transfer the finished Reindeer Food to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately.
- Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 to 7 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for easier melting and smoother texture.
- Dark or semisweet chocolate chips work best for a rich flavor, but milk chocolate can be used if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of powdered sugar to your desired sweetness and coating thickness.
- Store the mix in a cool, dry place to prevent melting and preserve crunchiness.
- This recipe is not suitable for peanut allergies; substitutions can be made with almond or sunflower seed butter if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake, Mixing, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (about 50g)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: holiday snack, Christmas Puppy Chow, Reindeer Food, peanut butter chocolate mix, festive snack mix, holiday treat
