Description
Reindeer Food, also known as Christmas Puppy Chow, is a festive and delicious holiday snack mix featuring crispy cereal coated in a luscious blend of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, then sprinkled with colorful holiday candies. Perfect for sharing during Christmas gatherings or leaving out for Santa and his reindeer.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice or Corn Chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup red and green sprinkles or colored candies (e.g., M&Ms)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cereal: Measure out 9 cups of Rice or Corn Chex cereal and place it in a large mixing bowl, setting the base for your snack mix.
- Melt Chocolate Mixture: In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, and 1/4 cup unsalted butter. Stir continuously until everything is fully melted and smooth.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Once the chocolate mixture is melted, remove it from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Coat the Cereal: Immediately pour the warm chocolate mixture over the cereal in the large bowl. Gently fold the cereal with a spatula or wooden spoon until every piece is evenly coated.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into a large sealable plastic bag. Add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar to the bag, seal it tight, and shake vigorously until all pieces are well-covered in powdered sugar.
- Add Sprinkles or Candies: Spread the coated snack onto a large baking sheet and sprinkle 1/2 cup red and green sprinkles or colored candies such as M&Ms over the top for a festive touch. Toss lightly to distribute evenly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the mixture to cool and set for about 20 minutes before serving. Once cooled, store in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Enjoy your festive Reindeer Food!
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for the smoothest coating. Natural peanut butter may alter texture.
- Chocolate can be substituted with milk or dark chocolate chips according to preference.
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- This recipe is great for holiday parties and makes a fun gift when packaged in festive bags.
