Christmas Puppy Chow

Christmas Puppy Chow (AKA, Muddy Buddies) is a delicious holiday snack mix made with white chocolate, peppermint, and Chex cereal...perfect for serving at parties, giving as a gift to neighbors and friends, and using up leftover candy canes!

Christmas Puppy Chow, or White Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow, with text overlay.


 

The holidays are upon us, and every time I turn around, it seems like there's a party to attend or a gift to put together requiring an easy, delicious snack. What I love about this Christmas Puppy Chow recipe is that it's festive, yummy...and a jumbo batch takes mere minutes to assemble! There are lots of variations of this type of snack mix, but white chocolate and candy canes render this one particularly festive around the holidays!

Aerial view of Christmas Puppy Chow in a bowl surrounded by mini candy canes.

What is Puppy Chow?

Whether you refer to it as Puppy Chow, Muddy Buddies, or some other colorful descriptor, this treat (which -- regardless of moniker -- is for people, not dogs) typically starts with Chex cereal and ends with a coating of powdered sugar.

In between, however, today's variation gets coated in creamy white chocolate and showered with crushed candy canes.

Additional candy canes are finely ground and then incorporated with the powdered sugar. That's right...this Christmas Puppy Chow delivers an extra hit of peppermint goodness!

Christmas Puppy Chow, or Muddy Buddies, sprinkled on table.

Occasions for Enjoying

A big bowl of Christmas Puppy Chow will keep 'em coming back for more at your next holiday party.

It's the perfect, portable snack to enjoy alongside a thermos of hot cocoa as your family drives around looking at Christmas lights.

And it's ideal for munching while snuggled up on the couch watching Christmas movies.

No matter the occasion, it's a recipe to carry you straight on through December!

Crushed candy canes in a bowl.

Food Gift Idea

And have I mentioned that it makes a fabulous homemade food gift? Not only does this Christmas Puppy Chow taste great, but it looks festive as well, with its snowy white cereal and bright pops of red striped candy.

As a bonus, one batch is large enough to divide between multiple gifts.

  • Just scoop into a Mason jar or clear cellophane bag.
  • Decorate with ribbon and a cute tag.
  • And surprise your neighbors, friends, teachers, bus driver, mailman, pediatrician, hair dresser (...and more!) with a fun, tasty treat!
Christmas Puppy Chow made with white chocolate and peppermint coated Chex cereal.

Also Great Post-Christmas...

But what if, by the time you read this post, you've already made and passed out all of your holiday gifts? What if you've already thrown your last party? Driven around to see your last lights? Viewed your last Christmas movie of the holiday season?

Well, allow me to let you in on a little secret. You know all of those candy canes that are sure to be overrunning your pantry by the end of December? This Christmas Puppy Chow is a great way to use them up...even if Christmas is over! Or better yet, you can always pin or bookmark this recipe now for next year. 😉

Candy canes arranged into a heart.

So add Christmas Puppy Chow to your repertoire of sweets to enjoy (or share!) this December!

It’s crunchy and sweet, it's creamy and minty. In other words, it's the perfect way to put a little Ho Ho Ho in your holiday snacking. 😉

Christmas Puppy Chow in a bowl garnished with crushed candy canes.

More Festive Holiday Sweets

Christmas Puppy Chow (or Christmas Muddy Buddies) in a bowl surrounded by candy canes.

Christmas Puppy Chow

Christmas Puppy Chow (AKA, Muddy Buddies) is a delicious holiday snack mix made with white chocolate, peppermint, and Chex cereal...perfect for serving at parties, giving as a gift to neighbors and friends, and using up those extra candy canes!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 333kcal
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

  • cups crushed candy canes, approximately 7½ ounces, or 50 mini candy canes, divided
  • 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
  • 12 ounces white chocolate baking bar, such as Baker's or white melting chocolate
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  • To crush candy canes, place in a gallon-sized freezer bag. Use the flat side of a meat mallet (or a rolling pin) to pound into small pieces. Measure out ¼ cup of these crushed candy canes into a food processor and pulse until a fine powder is formed. Set aside.
  • Pour Chex cereal in a very large bowl or container with a tight-fitting lid. Melt white chocolate according to package directions. Immediately pour melted white chocolate over Chex and gently stir until all cereal is coated. Fold in 1 cup crushed candy canes. Sprinkle powdered sugar and remaining ¼ cup candy cane powder over Chex mixture. Cover bowl with lid and gently shake and turn bowl until all ingredients are coated in powdered sugar. Allow to cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Notes

If you don't have a large bowl with a lid, you may combine the Chex, melted white chocolate, and crushed candy canes in a large bowl as directed. Then immediately transfer the Chex mixture to a large plastic bag that already has the powdered sugar and candy cane powder measured into it; seal and shake.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 4.6mg
Made this recipe? I'd love to see on IG!Mention @FiveHeartHome or tag #FiveHeartHome!

This recipe was originally shared as a contributor post at Lil' Luna. Published on FiveHeartHome on December 18, 2014, and updated on December 5, 2020, and December 21, 2023.

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5 Comments

    1. I'm so happy that y'all enjoyed it, Debbie! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  1. My sister makes homemade gifts for our family every year. I might casually send this recipe to her to add to her list this year! Pinning!

    ~Meaghan

    1. Ha, Meaghan...I like the way you think! I hope your sister takes your hint. 😉 Thanks so much for the pin and have a great week!