Name: St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 24 ounces white almond bark (divided 18oz and 6oz); 11 cups rice chex cereal (divided 8 cups and 3 cups); 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 5-10 drops or gel equivalent green food coloring; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 cup gold sanding sugar

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St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow is a vibrant, festive treat that combines the sweetness of chocolate-covered cereal with a playful green and gold color scheme, making it perfect for celebrating the luck of the Irish. This delicious snack, often referred to as Muddy Buddies, features a delightful crunch from Rice Chex cereal coated in creamy peanut butter and almond bark, with powdered sugar dusted over it for a satisfying sweetness. It’s not just a delicious sweet, but also a fun and easy project to whip up with kids or friends—ideal for gatherings or a festive treat at home.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility; a quick 15-minute prep time means you can have this treat ready in no time. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and requires minimal equipment. The vibrant colors not only catch the eye but also bring a festive spirit to any St. Patrick’s Day celebration. So roll up your sleeves, gather the ingredients, and prepare to enjoy a delightful batch of St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Ready in just 15 minutes! It’s the perfect last-minute treat.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of creamy peanut butter and sweet white chocolate is simply scrumptious!
Eye-Catching Appeal: With its bright green and shiny gold, it’s a showstopper at any gathering.
Flexible Serving: Great for snacking, parties, or even as a fun addition to a breakfast spread.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapted to gluten-free by using certified gluten-free Rice Chex.

Ingredients You’ll Need

24 ounces white almond bark – This is the main coating for our treats. Use divided amounts, with 18 ounces for the green mix and 6 ounces for the gold. It melts beautifully and adds sweetness.
11 cups rice Chex cereal – The base of our Puppy Chow. Use 8 cups for the green coating and 3 cups for the gold. This cereal provides a delightful crunch and is gluten-free!
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter – Adds a rich, nutty flavor. Go for creamy for even coating, but crunchy works too if you prefer texture.
5-10 drops green food coloring – This gives our Puppy Chow its festive clover-like hue. Gel coloring is a great alternative if you want a more vibrant color.
1 cup powdered sugar – Essential for that sweet dusting over the green mix; it helps balance the flavors and adds a touch of sweetness.
1/4 cup gold sanding sugar – To give the gold cereal some sparkle! It’s visually appealing and adds a little crunch.

How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

Prepare Pans: First, line two large half-sheet pans with parchment paper or wax paper, setting them aside for later. This ensures easy cleanup and prevents the Puppy Chow from sticking.

Prepare Green Cereal: In a very large mixing bowl, pour in 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal. This will be the base for your delightful green mixture.

Melt Green Coating: Grab a microwave-safe bowl and combine 18 ounces of chopped almond bark with 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave the mixture for 60 seconds. Stir, then continue in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until it’s completely smooth and melted.

Color the Coating: Add 5-10 drops of green food coloring into the melted mixture. Stir until you reach your desired clover green shade, which adds a fun pop of color—perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!

Coat Green Pieces: Gently pour the green mixture over the Rice Chex in your mixing bowl. Fold the mixture carefully until every piece is thoroughly coated in the scrumptious green mixture.

Add Sugar: Sprinkle in the 1 cup of powdered sugar to the coated green cereal. Fold it in for about 3-5 minutes until the green shows through and the pieces are dry and separated. Then, spread the mixture out on your first lined sheet pan.

Prepare Gold Cereal: In a separate mixing bowl, place the remaining 3 cups of Rice Chex. This will soon be transformed into your pretty gold pieces.

Melt Gold Coating: In another microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining 6 ounces of almond bark. Keep an eye on it to ensure it melts smooth without burning.

Coat Gold Pieces: Pour the melted almond bark over the 3 cups of Rice Chex. Stir until all the cereal pieces are well-coated with the luscious mixture. This quick coating is crucial for that addictive crunch!

Add Gold Sparkle: Immediately after coating, sprinkle the 1/4 cup of gold sanding sugar over the wet cereal. Toss gently to ensure all sides are beautifully covered with the sparkling sugar.

Cool and Mix: Allow both pans to sit for 30-60 minutes at room temperature until set or refrigerate for 15 minutes to speed up the cooling process. Once set, break apart any clumps and mix both the green and gold pieces together in a large serving bowl.

Storing & Reheating

To store your delicious St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you’re hoping to save some for later, you can refrigerate it for up to two weeks in a sealed container. For longer storage, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Just remember, freezing may change the texture slightly; so, when you’re ready to enjoy it, give it a quick refresh by letting it come to room temperature before snacking.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Ensure your almond bark is chopped finely to melt uniformly and prevent any chunks.
Avoid overcrowding the mixing bowl; if it feels too full, split the ingredients for coating between two bowls for even distribution.
For a different flavor, consider using dark or milk chocolate almond bark.
Be gentle when folding; this prevents the cereal from breaking apart.
If you prefer a greener color, add more drops of food coloring slowly until you achieve your desired hue.
This treat can be made ahead of time, making it a perfect party snack!

St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow is a delightful treat that combines crisp textures with a charming look, perfect for any festivities. Whether you make it for a gathering or just for a sweet snack, it’s sure to bring smiles all around. Feel free to experiment with different colors or additional toppings to make the recipe your own!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make Puppy Chow ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow a day or two in advance. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy until you’re ready to serve!

What can I use instead of white almond bark?

If you don’t have white almond bark, you can substitute it with white chocolate chips. Just melt them down using the same method as the almond bark, although you may need to add a little vegetable oil to achieve a smoother consistency.

Can I add different toppings or flavors?

Of course! Feel free to get creative with your toppings. You can mix in colorful sprinkles, use different colored sanding sugars, or even add seasonal candies for an extra festive twist.

How long does St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow last?

When stored properly in an airtight container, it tends to last about a week at room temperature. If you’ve refrigerated or frozen it, it can last longer, so you can enjoy it for several days or even months!

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St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 11 servings 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

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Description

This St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow features delightful flavors of peanut butter and almond bark, with vibrant green and gold colors. Perfect for festive gatherings, it’s quick to make and will impress your guests!

Ingredients

Scale

24 ounces white almond bark (divided 18oz and 6oz)
11 cups rice chex cereal (divided 8 cups and 3 cups)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
5–10 drops or gel equivalent green food coloring
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup gold sanding sugar

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Instructions

Prepare Pans: Line two large half-sheet pans with parchment paper or wax paper and set them aside.
Prepare Green Cereal: In a very large mixing bowl, place 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal.
Melt Green Coating: Combine 18 ounces of chopped almond bark and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds, stir, and continue in 30-second bursts until smooth.
Color the Coating: Stir in green food coloring until you achieve the desired green shade.
Coat Green Pieces: Pour the green mixture over the cereal and gently fold until every piece is covered.
Add Sugar: Add the powdered sugar and fold for 3-5 minutes until well coated. Spread on the first sheet pan.
Prepare Gold Cereal: In a separate mixing bowl, place 3 cups of Rice Chex.
Melt Gold Coating: Melt the remaining 6 ounces of almond bark in the microwave until smooth.
Coat Gold Pieces: Pour the melted bark over the cereal and stir until coated. Spread onto the second sheet pan.
Add Gold Sparkle: Sprinkle the gold sanding sugar over the wet white cereal and toss gently to cover.
Cool and Mix: Allow both pans to sit for 30-60 minutes or refrigerate for 15 minutes until set. Break apart clumps and combine green and gold pieces in a large serving bowl.

Notes

Ensure the almond bark is finely chopped for even melting.
You can adjust the amount of food coloring based on your color preference.
Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.