Candy Cane Puppy Chow

Candy Cane Puppy Chow is a festive twist on the classic snack mix, perfect for the holiday season! It’s a sweet, crunchy treat made with Chex cereal, powdered sugar, melted white chocolate, and crushed candy canes. This deliciously addictive snack is easy to make and great for sharing with family and friends during Christmas time.

Here’s how to make Candy Cane Puppy Chow:

Ingredients:

9 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal (or a mix of both)
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips (or white chocolate melting wafers)
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
6-8 mini candy canes, crushed (or more for extra crunch)
Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the candy cane crumbs:

Place the mini candy canes in a ziplock bag and crush them using a rolling pin or something heavy until they are small, bite-sized pieces. You can also pulse them in a food processor for a finer texture if you prefer.
Set aside about 1/2 cup of the crushed candy canes for topping the snack mix.

2. Melt the chocolate mixture:

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips and peanut butter together. Start by microwaving for 30 seconds, stir, then continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and fully melted.
Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for extra flavor.

3. Coat the cereal:

In a large bowl, add the Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal. Pour the melted white chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir until the cereal is completely coated with the chocolate.

4. Coat with powdered sugar:

Once the cereal is coated, transfer it into a large resealable bag or a big bowl. Add the powdered sugar, seal the bag (or cover the bowl), and shake vigorously until the cereal is evenly coated.

5. Add the candy cane crunch:

After shaking the cereal in powdered sugar, add the crushed candy canes to the mix. Gently stir or shake to distribute the candy cane pieces evenly throughout the puppy chow.

6. Serve or store:

Spread the finished Candy Cane Puppy Chow onto a baking sheet or large plate to allow it to cool and set.
Once cooled, transfer to a serving bowl or package it in treat bags for gifting.

Tips:

Storage: Store the puppy chow in an airtight container for up to a week. It can also be kept in a ziplock bag for easy snacking.
Add-ins: If you want to make it even more festive, you can add colorful sprinkles or drizzle it with extra melted chocolate.
No peanut butter?: If you’re allergic to peanut butter or just don’t want it, you can skip it, but it adds a nice richness to the chocolate coating.

This Candy Cane Puppy Chow is the perfect holiday treat, combining the classic flavors of sweet white chocolate and minty candy canes with a crunchy texture. It’s a great addition to any Christmas party, as a gift for friends and neighbors, or simply to enjoy during the season.

Would this make the perfect holiday snack or gift for you?