Christmas Puppy Chow (A Nut Free No Bake Treat)
This Christmas Puppy Chow is sweet, crunchy, and loaded with holiday flavor. Crispy Rice Chex cereal is coated in a rich chocolate and Biscoff cookie butter mixture, tossed with powdered sugar, and finished with festive Christmas M&Ms and your favorite holiday treats.
This is one of our favorite recipes to make during the holiday season because it's quick, easy, and perfect for sharing. Whether you're filling treat bags, setting out snacks for a Christmas party, or enjoying a Christmas movie night at home, this festive snack mix is always one of the first things to disappear.
If you enjoy our Christmas Pretzel Treats and Christmas Crack, this puppy chow is another easy holiday treat everyone looks loves.
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Ingredients
With just a quick trip to the grocery store, you will be ready to make this simple recipe.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Chocolate Chips: I like using dark chocolate, but milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips work just as well.
- Biscoff Cookie Butter: Gives this puppy chow a warm, spiced flavor that's a fun twist on the classic peanut butter version.
- Butter: Helps create a smooth coating for the cereal.
- Rice Chex Cereal: The classic choice because it stays crisp and holds the chocolate mixture well.
- Powdered Sugar: Creates the signature sweet coating.
- Christmas M&Ms: Add festive color and a little extra chocolate in every handful.
- Pretzels: Optional, but we love the salty crunch they add.
This no bake treat is so simple, just get out a large mixing bowl, spatula, a resealable bag and a baking sheet.
Variations
- More Mix-Ins: Add mini peanut butter cups, chocolate-covered pretzels, mini marshmallows, or peppermint M&Ms.
- Peppermint Twist: Stir in crushed candy canes after the puppy chow has cooled.
- Different Chocolate: Use white chocolate or a combination of milk and dark chocolate.
- Nut-Free: Substitute sunflower seed butter for the cookie butter if needed.
How to Make Christmas Puppy Chow
We love how simple this one is to make!
Melt chocolate chips, Biscoff cookie spread and butter in a microwave safe bowl, using 30 second increments, stirring well in between. I like to do it in the large bowl that I am using to mix it all together in, but you do have to be careful not to crush the bottom when you try to incorporate the chocolate.
Add the Chex to the chocolate mixture and stir carefully to not crush the cereal pieces but ensure you get all of it as covered as you can. Make sure you check the very bottom as it tends to be tricky to grab it from that spot without crushing cereal if you are not careful.
Pour the chocolate covered cereal in a large resealable bag and add in icing sugar. I like to start with 1 cup and add more as I go, lightly separating any that tend to stick. Toss it all around gently to coat, then spread and evenly layer on a sheet pan with parchment paper and allow it to set.
Transfer it to your serving bowl and add holiday M&Ms, and any other candies or treats you want to use. We usually add mini pretzels or pretzel sticks for a salty-sweet profile. Other great options are chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint M&Ms, peppermint candy and mini peanut butter cups.
Hint: Start with less powdered sugar and add more as needed.
Recipe Tips
- Work Gently: Stir carefully to avoid crushing the cereal, but be sure to get right to the bottom.
- Let It Cool Before Mixing: This helps prevent the candy from melting into the chocolate.
- Spread It Out: A single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet helps the coating set evenly.
- Make It Your Own: One of our favorite parts of this recipe is changing the mix-ins every year with whatever holiday candies we have on hand.
Looking for another easy dessert? Our Peppermint Bark is always a favorite.
More Christmas Recipes
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container, that is kept out of direct sunlight, for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Place in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months.
- Serving: A gently toss before serving can help if any powdered sugar has settled.
Serving Suggestions
- More Festive Treats: Checkerboard Cookies, Sugar Cookie Cups, Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, Peppermint Brownies, and Christmas Cake Mix Cookies.
Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe FAQs
It is a great option for a nut-free version, but also I love the warm spiced flavor it brings.
Absolutely, it is the classic way to make this treat!
Yes. We usually make it a day or two before Christmas parties, and it stores beautifully.
Yes, this is a great gift as it holds up well in jars, treat bags, or holiday tins.
More Recipes
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Christmas Puppy Chow
Equipment
- Microwave Safe Bowl
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Resealable Bag
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup chocolate chips I used dark, but you can use whatever you like
- ½ cup Biscoff cookie spread
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 8 cups Chex Rice Cereal
- 1 ½ - 1 ¾ cup icing sugar
- ¾ - 1 cup Holiday M&M candies
- Pretzel sticks optional
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips, Biscoff cookie spread and butter in a microwave safe bowl, using 30 second increments, stirring well in between. I like to do it in the large bowl that I am using to mix it all together in, but you do have to be careful not to crush the bottom when you try to incorporate the chocolate.
- Add the Chex to the chocolate mixture and stir carefully to not crush the cereal pieces but ensure you get all of it as covered as you can. Make sure you check the very bottom as it tends to be tricky to grab it from that spot without crushing cereal if you are not careful.
- Pour the chocolate covered cereal in a large resealable bag and add in icing sugar. I like to start with 1 cup and add more as I go, lightly separating any that tend to stick. Toss it all around gently to coat, then spread and evenly layer on a sheet pan with parchment paper and allow it to set.
- Transfer it to your serving bowl and add holiday M&Ms, and any other candies or treats you want to use. We usually add mini pretzels or pretzel sticks for a salty-sweet profile. Other great options are chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint M&Ms, peppermint candy and mini peanut butter cups.
Notes
- Work Gently: Stir carefully to avoid crushing the cereal, but be sure to get right to the bottom.
- Let It Cool Before Mixing: This helps prevent the candy from melting into the chocolate.
- Spread It Out: A single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet helps the coating set evenly.
- Make It Your Own: One of our favorite parts of this recipe is changing the mix-ins every year with whatever holiday candies we have on hand.
- Start Slow: Add the powdered sugar in starting with about 1 cup and add more as needed.
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container, that is kept out of direct sunlight, for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Place in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months.
- Serving: A gently toss before serving can help if any powdered sugar has settled.
Nutrition
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