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Muddy Buddies, also affectionately known as Puppy Chow, are a college party staple. It’s simply Chex cereal mixed with chocolate and peanut butter, then coated with powdered sugar. This is poured into a large bowl and served as a snack any time finger food is appropriate. You can turn this into Reindeer Chow by adding Red and Green M&Ms, or Halloween Chow by adding Reese’s Pieces and candy corn.
Ingredients
8 cups Chex cereal (any variety)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 cups red and green M&Ms (optional, for Reindeer Chow), or Reese’s Pieces and candy corn (optional, for Halloween Chow) — see Notes, below ↓
Directions
- Place cereal in large bowl. Place chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in high for 1-1/2 minutes or until mixture is smooth when stirred. Stir in vanilla. Pour chocolage mixture over cereal, stirring until all pieces are evenly coated. When chocolate has cooled but not set, pour mixture into large plastic bag with powdered sugar; shake until all pieces are coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. If making Reindeer Chow, wait till chocolate has completely set, then toss in the M&Ms. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
If you make Reindeer Chow, your yield will be 11 cups.
Notes
- Muddy Buddies / Puppy Chow Variations: you can use any flavor of Chex serial, milk or dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips, or even colored candy melts.
- Reindeer Chow Variations: you can use any flavor/color of M&Ms. Many people also toss mini pretzels into their Reindeer Chow, which represent antlers, and I have also seen it with malted milk balls, tiny peanut butter cups, broken candy canes, and whole peanuts.
- Halloween Chow Variations: Reese’s Pieces come by default in fall colors of orange, yellow and brown. You can also use fall-colored M&Ms, candy corns, and googly eye candies add a spooky vibe.
- Contributed by Carrie.