Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe
User Reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Excellent
Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe
Report
My Christmas Muddy Buddy recipe is the perfect sweet treat for this time of year. This easy recipe comes together with a few simple ingredients and makes a festive holiday treat that everyone will love! I like to call it a big bowl of holiday magic, you can call it the best Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix recipe!
Share:
Ingredients
- 12 cups crispy rice cereal squares Use your favorite combo, I used rice and chocolate Chex, Crispix may also be used
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or a combination of your favorite chocolate chips, butterscotch, peanut butter, milk chocolate, white chocolate, but to make it "muddy" make sure you have chocolate in there.
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter if using natural, make sure it's well stirred
- 1/4 cup cookie butter this is optional, if desired or need gluten free, use all peanut butter, or favorite nut butter or sunbutter
- 7 tablespoons butter I used salted, if using unsalted, you may want to add 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt, cut into cubes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract try other extracts too, peppermint, chocolate, almond
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-1 1/2 cups holiday M&Ms
Ideas for additional Add-In's
- 1-1 ½ cups mini pretzels
- 1 cup Mini peanut butter cups
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup Crushed candy canes
- 1 cup mini Rolos
Instructions
- Line two half sheet baking pans with parchment paper or waxed paper, set aside. In a VERY large bowl pour in cereal.
- In a medium microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips, peanut butter, cookie butter and butter and cook on high for 45 seconds, stir well and then microwave in 30 second bursts stirring in between each heating. *The mixture will continue melting, stir well after the first heating, I typically only need 2 heatings.
- Stir in vanilla extract and stir until smooth and pourable.
- Pour chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the dry cereal, using a large spoon to turn to coat, carefully turning until the chocolate has coated most of the Chex mix. *I like to pour in a little bit, stir it a bit, then add the rest.
For Clumpy Puppy Chow
- For clumpy puppy chow, allow mixture to cool in freeze or fridge for 15-30 minutes until just tacky. Then stir in powdered sugar. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheets to allow to cool completely before placing in airtight container.
For Individually Coated Muddy Buddies
- If you would like more individually coated muddy buddies, stir well and layer evenly on baking sheet, allow to cool for a few minutes (should still be tacky), then stir in powdered sugar to coat. Cool completely, before placing in containers.
- Once cooled, add your other mix-ins into the mix, or while packaging simply layer m&m's, peanut butter cups, etc.
- Regardless of how you like your Christmas Chex Mix, make sure you cool it completely before storing or packaging to avoid soggy puppy chow.
Notes
- Do I need to refrigerate Christmas Muddy Buddies? It can easily be stored on the counter in an airtight container up to one week (if it lasts that long). But you can also refrigerate up to one week (make sure it's in an airtight container so it doesn't absorb fridge flavors).
- Can you freeze Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow? Yes, it actually freezes well! Freeze up to 3 months in an airtight container, if desired, thaw on counter or enjoy it as a frozen treat.
- PRO TIPS
- The chocolate continues to melt while you are stirring, so don’t place it back in the microwave too soon, this can cause your chocolate to seize. Stir well between each microwave heating. See my post on how to make chocolate ganache for how to fix seized chocolate.
- The chocolate continues to melt while you are stirring, so don’t place it back in the microwave too soon, this can cause your chocolate to seize. Stir well between each microwave heating. See my post on how to make chocolate ganache for how to fix seized chocolate.
- Keep a little powdered sugar in reserves and using a sieve, sprinkle over the areas that didn’t get a good coating when mixing.
- Don’t add the m&ms or peanut butter cups too soon, make sure the mixture has cooled completely or you might have some melting.
- Tree nut or peanut allergies? Use sunflower butter or all cookie butter instead of peanut butter, muddy buddies without peanut butter! Ta-da! If not allergic to tree nuts use almond butter or even Nutella (hazelnut and chocolate).
- Replace some of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips; makes great reindeer food!
- Use your favorite Chex flavors; like Corn Chex (or similar brands), use your favorite! Although Wheat Chex don't have the best texture for this muddy buddy treat.
- Instead of tossing with powdered sugar in the large bowl, transfer the mix to a large clean, brown paper bag and place chocolate covered Chex mix into the paper bag, then dust with powdered sugar. Close the bag and gently shake the bag to coat all of the cereal. May also be done in batches in gallon Ziploc bags.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
0.5cup
Calories
319kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
41g
(14%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
12mg
(4%)
Sodium
169mg
(7%)
Potassium
142mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
26g
(52%)
Vitamin A
389IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
78mg
(8%)
Iron
6mg
(33%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 319 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5cup | |
| Calories | 319kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 12mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 169mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 142mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 26g | 52% |
| Vitamin A | 389IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 78mg | 8% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
18 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
