For a fun little holiday treat (that isn’t yet another batch of cookies), give this Christmas puppy chow (a.k.a. Muddy Buddies) a try! They’re made with Chex, pretzels, M&Ms, hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, and festive candies, no peanut butter needed. Mix up a big batch for a party or add a scoop to cookie boxes, it’s such a crowd-pleaser!

A sheet pan of Christmas muddy buddies with M&Ms and pretzels on a tan counter next to garland, red ribbon, a brown bowl of sprinkle chocolates, and glasses of hot cocoa.

Ok, I am still pouting that Halloween is over. I dressed up as Mothman and went out to the bars for the first time in my life. I have to say it was quite the upgrade from college when I spent my Halloweens drinking vodka from a plastic bottle in someone’s sticky basement dressed up as Rosie the Riveter. What a time.

Anyways, if Halloween has to end, I guess it’s good that Christmas comes pretty soon after. I’m already eyeing my box of ornaments, and yes, I did buy a bottle of molasses to make mini gingerbread cookies. Life is rough rn, let’s just start Christmas early, who cares?

Like my mini red velvet cupcakes, this snack mix is a nice break from the classic holiday cookie situation. Most Muddy Buddies are made with peanut butter, but I decided to make a hot chocolate version to make the recipe a bit more wintery. And to offset the sweetness of the marshmallow, it also has a good handful of pretzels!

Another key ingredient in this recipe is melted chocolate. The first time I tested the mix, I used milk chocolate but it was just too sweet. So I recommend dark or semisweet chocolate. As a trained pastry chef, I also like to melt the chocolate in a double boiler! But, a microwave will work in a pinch. (More on this soon.)

Use a good hot cocoa mix

White and brown bowls of hot chocolate mix, pretzels, chex, holiday candies, butter, salt, marshmallows, chocolate, and powdered sugar next to a jar of marshmallow fluff on a tan counter.

For extra chocolatey flavor, we’re shaking this snack mix with a combo of powdered sugar and hot cocoa mix! But just a heads up, good hot chocolate powder makes a big difference.

Look for a high-quality powdered mix like Ghirardelli or something similar. You can also make your own if you feel so inclined. You just need powdered milk, sugar, and cocoa powder!

Make the recipe

A white bowl of chocolate chips and butter on a tan counter.
Start by melting the chocolate and butter until it’s smooth.
A white bowl of melted chocolate and marshmallow fluff on a beige table.
Then, mix in the marshmallow fluff and Kosher salt.
A container of snack mix with chocolate on a tan table.
Pour the chocolate over the cereal & pretzels. Mix very well.

Chocolate can be finicky, so it’s important to melt it very gently. If it gets too hot, the chocolate will seize and become grainy. I like to melt it in a mixing bowl over a simmering pot of water (double boiler style) for more control. A microwave also works but keep a close eye so it doesn’t get too hot!

A clear container of hot chocolate Christmas muddy buddies on a tan counter.
Mix the powdered sugar & hot cocoa mix. Spread it over the puppy chow in two batches.
A container of hot cocoa Christmas puppy chow on a tan table.
Shake the muddy buddies until they’re completely covered in the powdered sugar mix.
Hot cocoa Christmas puppy chow with M&Ms, pretzels, and sprinkle candies.
Stir in the M&Ms, mini marshmallows, & chocolate nonpareils. Enjoy!

Store it for weeks

If you store puppy chow the right way, it will last for 2-3 weeks. Just pour it into an airtight container, cover, and keep it in a cool, dry place.

Since marshmallows dry out quickly, I would add them right before you’re ready to serve the mix!

A sheet pan of Christmas puppy chow with a wood spoon on a beige table next to garland, red ribbon, and a plaid linen.

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3 from 1 vote

Hot Cocoa Christmas Puppy Chow (No Peanut Butter!)

Yield: 30 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
This hot cocoa Christmas puppy chow (also called Muddy Buddies) is a super easy, festive snack for cookie boxes and parties. It has dark chocolate, marshmallow fluff, cereal, pretzels, M&Ms, candies, and a good dose of hot chocolate mix. So delicious! Even better, it lasts weeks so you can make it ahead of time.
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Ingredients

  • 8 cups rice or corn Chex cereal (250 grams)
  • 2 cups pretzel braids or twists (120 grams)
  • 12 ounces dark or semisweet chocolate chips (350 grams)
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes (90 grams)
  • 1 cup marshmallow fluff (100 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 3 cups powdered sugar (360 grams)
  • 1/2 cup good-quality hot cocoa mix (100 grams)
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows (100 grams)
  • 1 cup Christmas M&Ms (200 grams)
  • 6 ounces nonpareil dark chocolate candies (180 grams)

Equipment

  • Big bowl or airtight container with a lid
  • 1 sheet pan

Instructions 

  • Gently combine the Chex cereal and pretzels in a big bowl or airtight container with a lid.
  • Next, fill a pot with about 1-2 inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the chocolate chips and unsalted butter cubes to a heatproof mixing bowl. Set the bowl over the simmering water, ensuring that the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir constantly, just until the chocolate mixture is smooth and completely melted.
  • Remove the chocolate mixture from the heat. Stir in the marshmallow fluff and salt until smooth. The mixture will be a bit fluffy. Pour the chocolate-marshmallow mixture over the cereal and pretzels. Stir very well until the snacks are completely covered in chocolate. Then, break up any big clumps with a spoon or rubber spatula.
  • Let the snack mix sit for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the powdered sugar and hot cocoa mix in a medium bowl. Pour half of the powdered sugar-cocoa mix over the puppy chow. Cover and shake rapidly until the snack mix is well-covered. Repeat with the other half of the powdered sugar-cocoa mix.
  • Spread the puppy chow on a big sheet pan and let it set completely, about 30 minutes. Then, stir in the mini marshmallows, M&Ms, and nonpareil dark chocolates. Store in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks.

Notes

In a pinch, you can also gently melt the chocolate and butter in a microwave. Melt it in 30 second increments, stirring after each time, until the chocolate-butter mixture is completely melted.
If the marshmallow is having a hard time melting, just place the bowl back over the pot of simmering water, just until the mixture is smooth.
If the puppy chow is still a little sticky after adding all of the powdered sugar- cocoa mix, feel free to add more powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time.
Another way to make sure the snack mix gets completely covered is to add it to a big paper bag (or two zipper bags) along with the powdered sugar-cocoa mix. Roll the top of the paper bag tightly and shake it rapidly. Works every time!
Feel free to swap the nonpareil dark chocolates with a box of Sno Caps. Or, use any holiday candy you like!
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert, Snack
Author: Sara Lynn Hunt Broka
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 268kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 194mg, Potassium: 143mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 28g, Calcium: 54mg, Iron: 6mg
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