Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe
User Reviews
5
Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe
Description
Christmas Muddy Buddy combines crispy cereal squares with a smooth, melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture, creating a confection with a crunchy yet chewy texture. The chocolate and peanut butter are melted together with butter and vanilla extract, then folded gradually into the cereal to ensure even coating without breaking the cereal pieces. Allowing the coated mixture to cool until tacky before adding powdered sugar helps form clumps, enhancing the texture. The inclusion of festive M&Ms and optional mix-ins like pretzels or mini peanut butter cups adds bursts of flavor and color, tailoring the treat for seasonal enjoyment.
The method requires slow microwaving and stirring of the chocolate and peanut butter blend to avoid seizing, while the coated cereal is spread on baking sheets to cool fully. This recipe yields a sweet and crunchy snack mix suited for holiday gatherings or gifting, especially popular for its combination of chocolate-peanut buttery richness and festive additions.
Storing this treat in an airtight container at room temperature is sufficient for up to one week, though refrigeration is possible. It also freezes well for longer storage, making it a flexible make-ahead option. Cooks can substitute nut butters to accommodate allergies and may opt for alternate extract flavors to customize the taste. Sprinkling powdered sugar through a sieve onto poorly coated areas helps ensure even sweetness throughout.
Ingredients
- 12 cups crispy rice cereal squares Use your favorite combo, I used rice and chocolate Chex, Crispix may also be used
- 2 cups 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, semi-sweet
- 1/2 cup peanut butter if using natural, make sure it's well stirred, creamy
- 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 M&Ms holiday
Ideas for additional Add-In's
- 1-1 ½ cups pretzels mini
- 1 cup peanut butter cups mini
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup candy canes crushed
- 1 cup Rolo candy mini
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
- Store Christmas Muddy Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or refrigerate to prevent flavor absorption.
- Freeze up to three months and thaw on the counter or enjoy frozen as a cold treat.
- When melting chocolate mixture, stir well between microwaving intervals to prevent chocolate from seizing.
- Wait to add M&Ms or peanut butter cups until the mixture is fully cooled to avoid melting.
- Substitute cookie butter or other nut butters if allergic to peanuts or tree nuts.
- Use a sieve to dust reserved powdered sugar over spots with less coating for even sweetness.
- Experiment with different extracts such as peppermint or almond for flavor variation.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition 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.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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