Hot Cocoa Christmas Puppy Chow (No Peanut Butter!)
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.
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!
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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