Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies (Hot Chocolate Puppy Chow) are an easy no-bake holiday snack made with Chex cereal, melted chocolate, hot cocoa mix, powdered sugar and mini marshmallows. It's ready in 15 minutes and perfect for Christmas parties, movie nights and homemade holiday gifts.
Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies Recipe
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There's nothing cozier than a mug of hot chocolate on a cold day, so we turned it into a snack you can eat by the handful! Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies are one of our favorite holiday treats to make with the kids, and it's always a hit. We love everything about hot chocolate. Our Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats were a huge hit so we just knew we needed to share more fun hot chocolate treats!
We make a big batch every December to bring to holiday parties, cookie exchanges and movie nights. It also makes the cutest homemade gift packed into jars or cellophane bags with a ribbon. Teachers, neighbors and friends always love it!
What is Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies
Muddy buddies, also called puppy chow, is a classic no-bake snack mix made by coating Chex cereal in melted chocolate and then shaking it in powdered sugar. Our hot chocolate version adds hot cocoa mix to the powdered sugar coating for a rich, chocolatey hot chocolate flavor. It's finished with mini marshmallows and festive candies. It's sweet, crunchy, chocolatey and so fun!
More fun Treats
- Christmas Crack (Cracker Toffee)
- Grinch Cookies
- Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
- Pretzel Christmas Crack
Ingredients
- Chex Cereal - Rice Chex, Corn Chex or a mix. Rice and Corn Chex are gluten free!
- Milk Chocolate Chips - melted to coat the cereal. You can use semi-sweet chocolate for a less sweet version.
- Hot Chocolate Mix - use your favorite powdered hot cocoa mix. This gives the muddy buddies that delicious hot chocolate flavor.
- Powdered Sugar - mixed with the hot chocolate mix to give the classic powdery coating.
- Mini Marshmallows - just like marshmallows on top of a mug of hot cocoa! Add them once the mix has cooled so they don't melt.
- Candy Mix-Ins - extra chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or festive colored M&M's.
How to Make Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of page
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pour the Chex cereal into a very large bowl.
- Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 15 seconds, then stir. Repeat in 15-second intervals, stirring each time, until completely smooth. Do not over heat or the chocolate will burn.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal. Gently fold with a large spatula until every piece is coated.
- To make it easier you can use two large Ziploc bags or one very large Tupperware container with a lid. Put half of the hot chocolate mix and half of the powdered sugar in each large (gallon-size) Ziploc bag. Seal each bag and shake to combine.
- Divide the chocolate-coated cereal between the two bags. Seal each bag with some air left inside so the cereal can move around, then shake until all of the cereal is evenly covered in the hot chocolate mixture.
- Spread the cereal in a single layer on the lined baking sheet. Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
- Once it's fully cooled, toss in the mini marshmallows and the chocolate chips or candy.
- Serve at room temperature, or store in an airtight container.
Tips for the Best Recipe
- Melt the Chocolate Slowly - microwave in short 15 second intervals and stir in between. Chocolate burns easily and can seize if overheated.
- Fold Gently - use a large spatula to gently fold the cereal into the chocolate so the Chex pieces don't break.
- Leave Air in the Bag - leaving some air in the Ziploc bag gives the cereal room to move so it gets evenly coated in the powder.
- Cool Before Adding Mix-Ins - make sure the cereal is completely cool before adding the marshmallows and chocolate candies so they don't melt.
- Get Festive - use red and green M&M's for Christmas, add crushed candy canes for a peppermint hot chocolate version, or add white chocolate chips for a winter wonderland look.
FAQ
Leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freezer for up to 3 months.
Yes! You can make muddy buddies up to one week in advance. Store in an airtight container in a cool place.
Yes, you can freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. We would recommend removing the mini marshmallows before freezing and adding them in just before serving.
This recipe is vegetarian.
For a gluten free recipe ensure the brand of marshmallows are gluten free and ensure to use Chex rice cereal which is gluten free.
Nothing! They're two names for the same snack: Chex cereal coated in melted chocolate and shaken in powdered sugar. This hot chocolate version also adds hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows.
Microwave the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl in 15 second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted. Chocolate burns easily, so don't skip the stirring.
Gently fold the cereal into the chocolate with a spatula, then shake it in a Ziploc bag with the hot chocolate mix and powdered sugar. Leave some air in the bag so the cereal can move around.
Wait until the cereal has cooled completely, about 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet, so the marshmallows and chocolate candies don't melt.
More Easy Holiday Treats
Enjoy!
- Sab
Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup milk chocolate chips (12 ounce bag)
- 9 cups Chex cereal (1 box)
- 1 ½ cups hot chocolate mix
- ½ cup powdered sugar (also called icing sugar, or confectioners sugar)
Mix-In's
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips (white chocolate chips or mixed candy, ex. M&M's)
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pour the Chex cereal into a very large bowl.
- Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 15 seconds, then stir. Repeat in 15-second intervals, stirring each time, until completely smooth. Do not over heat or the chocolate will burn.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal. Gently fold with a large spatula until every piece is coated.
- To make it easier you can use two large Ziploc bags or one very large Tupperware container with a lid. Put half of the hot chocolate mix and half of the powdered sugar in each large (gallon-size) Ziploc bag. Seal each bag and shake to combine.
- Divide the chocolate-coated cereal between the two bags. Seal each bag with some air left inside so the cereal can move around, then shake until all of the cereal is evenly covered in the hot chocolate mixture.
- Spread the cereal in a single layer on the lined baking sheet. Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
- Once it's fully cooled, toss in the mini marshmallows and the chocolate chips or candy.
- Serve at room temperature, or store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
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