Cupid’s Chow – Valentine’s Puppy Chow Mix
Cupid’s Puppy Chow is a sweet, no-bake treat made with Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar, with colorful candies that can be changed for Valentine’s Day or any season.
There are so many fun, nostalgic treats out there that I never grew up with, and puppy chow is one of them. The name sounds a little strange until you try it — and then you can’t stop snacking! Also known as muddy buddies or Puppy Snack mix, this popular no-bake recipe gets its funny name from the way it looks, not how it tastes.
Made with crunchy cereal coated in chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, it’s sweet, simple, and completely addictive. This Valentine’s Day version adds festive pink and red candies for a fun holiday twist. It can be served as a treat, or packaged up and given as a thoughtful Valentine’s gift.
Cupid's Chow - Valentine's Puppy Chow Snack Mix
Puppy Chow Snack Mix is a sweet, no bake recipe made with Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar. The Valentine’s Day Cupid’s Chow version has pink and red candies to make it fit the sweet holiday season!
Ingredients
- 9 Cups Rice Chex Cereal
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips – any kind will do. I used semi-sweet
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup pink & red Smarties (or M&Ms)
- Sprinkles – optional, but fun!
Instructions
1. In a microwave bowl, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.
Microwave times differ based on the strength of the microwave, but I put mine on for 1 minute 20 seconds and it was perfect. Stir until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Then, stir in vanilla.
2.Combine Chex cereal and the melted chocolate peanut butter mixture.
This can be done various ways. I tried pouring the Chex cereal into the same bowl as the melted mixture and mixed it gently with a large spoon. I quickly discovered that having a larger bowl would work much better!;)
3.Add powdered sugar and shake to combine.
Once I discovered my small bowl was too small to accomplish this task easily, I transferred the whole mixture into my largest Tupperware plastic bowl with lid. I poured the powdered sugar on the top, put the lid on it, and shook it gently until everything was combined. It worked like a charm!
If you don’t have a large bowl with a lid, I’m sure a large ziploc bag would work the same way.
4. Finish off the Puppy Chow snack mix with add-ins of your choice.
Since this Puppy Chow was for a Valentine’s version, I added in pink and red Smarties. Up here in Canada, Smarties are almost identical to M&Ms. So, use whatever colored candies your country has in stock at the time!
What You’ll Need to Make Cupid’s Puppy Chow
(Refer to the printable recipe card above for the exact ingredient amounts.)
- Rice Chex cereal – The classic base that gives puppy chow its signature crunch.
Peanut butter – Smooth peanut butter melts easily and coats the cereal evenly.
Chocolate chips – Milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate all work well in this recipe.
Butter – Helps the chocolate mixture melt smoothly and evenly.
Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and enhances the chocolate flavor.
Powdered sugar (icing sugar) – Tossed with the coated cereal to create that sweet, snowy finish.
Pink and red candies – Smarties or M&Ms add color and a festive Valentine’s Day touch.
Sprinkles (optional) – Completely optional, but a fun way to add extra color and charm.
Step by Step Instructions for Making this Snack Mix
(Refer to the printable recipe card above for more detailed instructions and tips.)
1.Melt chocolate, peanut butter, & butter in microwave safe bowl. 2.Stir chocolate mixture into the cereal. 3.Toss with icing sugar and add colored candies.
Since this Puppy Chow was for a Valentine’s version, I added in pink and red Smarties. Up here in Canada, Smarties are almost identical to M&Ms. So, use whatever colored candies your country has in stock at the time!
For other variations of Puppy Chow snack mix:
- Trail Mix – Add in peanuts and raisins
- Classic Puppy Chow mix – No additions to the basic mix of chex, melted peanut butter & chocolate, and powdered sugar
- Mint Puppy Chow – Add in crushed Andes mints
- Smores Puppy Chow – Chocolate Chips and marshmallows
Package Puppy Chow for a Sweet Valentine’s Day gift
Although this sweet snack mix is perfect for the family to dig into for movie night, I also think it makes a great little gift idea. Here’s how to turn it into a gift:
- Find a pretty container to put some in. (I found this clear bowl at our local Dollar Store.)
- Cut a large piece of clear cellophane wrap big enough to cover the whole bowl and mix.
- Tie with curly ribbon.
- Add a free printable Valentine gift tag with baker’s twine.
Another idea is to fill a small zip-loc snack bag with Puppy Chow mix and tuck it into a Valentine Card.
For more Valentines Ideas, check out:
- Free Printable Valentine Gift Tags
- This darling set of cute printable valentines with woodland animals
- Valentines Decor from the grocery store
- Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
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**This recipe was inspired by General Mills Gluten Free Chex Muddy Buddies recipe.
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