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    HOME » Recipes » Cookies & Bars

    Published: Dec 14, 2022 · Modified: Jan 11, 2023· This website generates income via ads ·

    Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    My Christmas Muddy Buddy recipe is finally here. Some call these "reindeer chow muddy buddies," a holiday version of the famous Christmas puppy chow recipe. Whatever you call them, this sweet treat starts with Chex cereal, covered in a milk chocolate peanut butter mixture, then tossed with powdered sugar. As if that wasn't enough, holiday M&M candies, peanuts, mini marshmallows, and white chocolate-dipped pretzels are added to this tasty treat. Bagged up in pretty containers, Muddy Buddies make great gifts too!

    Bowl of Chex Muddy Buddies with red and green M&M's and pretzels.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients for Christmas Muddy Buddies Recipe:
    • Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:
    • Adaptations to Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe:
    • Recipe FAQ'S:
    • Looking for More Christmas Sweets?
    • Equipment:
    • Food Storage Tips:
    • Expert Tips:
    • Recipe

    Ingredients for Christmas Muddy Buddies Recipe:

    All the ingredients for Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe.

    For the pretzels in my photo, I melted some white chocolate chips in the microwave and dipped the pretzels in.

    Full ingredients list & measurements are provided in the recipe card.

    Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:

    Baking sheet with wax paper lining.

    Line a large baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Set aside.

    Mixing bowl with chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.

    Add the chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and butter to a mixing bowl.

    Mixing bowl with two kinds of Chex cereals.

    Add the chocolate and peanut butter Chex cereals to a large mixing bowl.

    Melted chocolate chips, peanut, and butter in a mixing bowl with spatula.

    Melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in the microwave per instructions.

    Melted chocolate poured over Chex cereal.

    Add vanilla extract and pour mixture over the cereal in the mixing bowl.

    Cereal coated with melted chocolate.

    Stir to cover the cereal with the melted chocolate mixture completely.

    Chocolate coated cereal in plastic bag with powdered sugar on top.

    Add the cereal and the powdered sugar to a bag. Shake until evenly coated.

    Powdered sugar coated cereal on baking sheet with wax paper lining.

    Place the muddy buddies on the baking sheet. Cool completely.

    Add the mix-ins and place in a serving bowl.

    Muddy Buddies in a wooden bowl with M&M's, peanuts, mini marshmallows, and pretzels.

    Adaptations to Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe:

    The great thing about Muddy Buddies is the versatility of this easy treat.

    • Make Hot Chocolate muddy buddies.
    • Muddy Buddies are the perfect holiday treat, no matter the holiday, or time of year. Add different colors of M&M candies to the mix like orange and brown for Halloween, pastels for Easter, and red and pink for Valentine's Day.
    • Add different snack items like pretzels, nuts, and candies.
    • Switch up the chocolate chips for another flavor. I have butterscotch chips just waiting in line!

    Recipe FAQ'S:

    What happened to the green M&M?

    In January 2022 Mars Wrigley revealed that the M&M characters had been redesigned to be "more inclusive, welcoming, and unifying" within a "more dynamic, progressive world. The green M&M will be "better represented to reflect confidence and empowerment, as a strong female, and known for much more than her boots." This change applies to the mascots, not the actual candy. The green m&m candy will stay!

    Are Muddy Buddies the same as Puppy Chow?

    Puppy chow is also known as monkey munch, muddy buddies, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag. It is the name for a homemade snack mix made in the United States, primarily in midwestern states. It combines rice Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. The end result resembles dog food.

    Looking for More Christmas Sweets?

    Chocolate fudge on a white plate.

    Creamy Smooth Christmas Fudge

    Decorated Christmas Cookies.

    Christmas Cookie Icing Recipe

    Equipment:

    • Large bowl
    • Microwave-safe bowl
    • Large Baking sheet
    • Spatula
    • Wax paper or parchment paper
    • One 2-gallon zip-top bag or two 1-gallon bags (optional)

    Food Storage Tips:

    Store your muddy buddies in a zip-lock bag or an airtight container. They will last about a week at room temperature or two weeks in the refrigerator. They also freeze well!

    Expert Tips:

    Why did my Muddy Buddies get soggy?

    You must cool the Muddy Buddies thoroughly after pouring the chocolate on. If they are not cooled completely the fat in the chocolate will seep into the cereal, making it soggy. Make sure to spread the mixture in a single layer and cool completely.

    Note: Spilling it all on the floor as I did, does not count as cooling time! I have Dupuytren's Contracture and I drop and spill everything. If this happens, clean it up and start all over again!

    Recipe

    Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe

    This easy recipe combines rice Chex cereal with chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar with lots of tasty mix-ins. Make this festive holiday treat a part of your Christmas season.
    5 from 40 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    cooling time 20 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course
    Dessert
    ,
    Snack
    Servings 16

    Equipment

    • Large bowl
    • Microwave-safe bowl
    • Large baking sheet
    • Spatula
    • Wax paper or parchment paper
    • One 2-gallon zip-top bag or two 1-gallon bags (optional)

    Ingredients
      

    • 2.5 cups Chocolate Chex™ cereal
    • 2 cups Peanut Butter Chex™ cereal
    • 1 cup mini marshmallows
    • ½ cup milk chocolate chips
    • ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1 cup pretzels optional, drizzled with white chocolate
    • ½ cup cocktail peanuts
    • ½ cup holiday-colored candy-coated chocolate candies M&M's

    Instructions
     

    • Line a large baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Set aside.
    • Add the chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and butter to a microwave-safe mixing bowl.
    • Add both the chocolate Chex and peanut butter Chex cereals to a large mixing bowl.
    • Melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in the microwave for 30 seconds. Take out and stir with a rubber spatula. If nor melted repeat at 15 second intervals until the mixture is totally melted and smooth.
    • Add vanilla extract and stir quickly. Do not delay or the chocolate can seize and not be pour able. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal in the mixing bowl.
    • Stir to completely cover the cereal with the melted chocolate mixture completely.
    • Add the cereal then add in the powdered sugar to a large zip top bag or two smaller bags. Make sure it is zipped tight. Shake until the cereal is evenly coated with powdered sugar.
    • Pour the muddy buddies from the bag onto the baking sheet. Spread them out evenly in a single layer. Cool completely.
    • Add the mix-ins ( marshmallows, peanuts, pretzels, etc) and place in a serving bowl.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 5gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 192mgPotassium: 154mgFiber: 3gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 222IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 6mg

    Approximate nutrition information is provided as a convenience and courtesy only. You are encouraged to do your own calculations if precise data is required.

    We take every effort to ensure that the estimated meal cost per serving is accurate. We use a meal cost analysis application that estimates the cost of a recipe based on groceries purchased at a Walmart store in my geographical area, northern California.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Cookies & Bars

    • Reese's Peanut Butter Fudge with Marshmallow Creme
    • 6 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
    • Christmas Cookie Icing Recipe That Hardens
    • Creamy Smooth Christmas Fudge Recipe

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Pria says

      December 15, 2022 at 11:16 pm

      5 stars
      I am definitely making these!

      Reply
    2. Nancy says

      December 15, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      The name of this recipe is so cute. It’s a great mix of snacks to graze on!

      Reply
    3. Marcellina says

      December 15, 2022 at 2:31 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! So simple and fun! My kids are going to love this!

      Reply
    4. Giangi Townsend says

      December 15, 2022 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      I am making this for a gathering this weekend. I love pretzels and any recipe that uses them, it is my recipe.
      I cannot wait to make it, sounds easy and fun.
      Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    5. Helen at the lazy gastronome says

      December 14, 2022 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      An easy recipe for a delicious and festive snack. Everyone loved this!

      Reply

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    I am Mary, the blogger behind "Oh That's Good!" I am a former nurse, former hobby farm blogger, former vintage shop owner, and current food blogger. I live with my husband and our little mutt Tucker in a lovely retirement community. I am cooking for two and taking inspiration from old cookbooks, magazines, and memories of watching my mother and grandmother cook. I like reducing my food waste and exorbitant grocery bills! I am busy rewriting my recipes for two servings with the option of adjusting the recipe up to four or six servings with just one click.

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