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Patriotic Puppy Chow

Patriotic puppy chow (muddy buddies) is a no-bake party snack of Chex pieces coated in smooth white chocolate, then shaken with powdered sugar for a crisp, snowy finish. Tossed with red and blue M&Ms and star sprinkles, it’s a red-white-blue Chex mix dessert with a bowl-heaped, glistening look.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
cooling 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chex cereal and white chocolate coating
  • 9 cup Chex cereal use rice or corn Chex cereal
  • 12 oz white chocolate chips or white melting wafers melt with butter for a smooth coating
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter adds creaminess to the melted coating
  • 2 cup powdered sugar for the snowy, powdered finish
  • 1 cup red M&Ms stir in after the coating sets
  • 1 cup blue M&Ms stir in after the coating sets
  • 1 red and blue star sprinkles use generously for patriotic color

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Coat the Chex
  1. Measure the Chex cereal into a very large bowl and set aside.
  2. Melt the white chocolate chips (or melting wafers) and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring each time until completely smooth.
  3. Pour the melted white chocolate over the Chex and stir gently until every piece is evenly coated.
Powder and cool
  1. Transfer the coated cereal into a large zip-lock bag, add the powdered sugar, seal, and shake vigorously until all pieces are well coated.
  2. Spread the puppy chow onto a parchment-lined sheet pan and let cool for 30 minutes until set, with a visibly firm, dry sugar coating.
Add patriotic mix-ins
  1. Transfer the cooled puppy chow to a large bowl and toss with the red and blue M&Ms and star sprinkles until the colors are evenly distributed.
  2. Serve in a big bowl or portion into individual bags while the coating is set and the mix-ins look fresh.

Notes

For the best powdered finish, shake the bag right after coating so the chocolate is still warm and sticky. Store covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; it can soften slightly, but it’s still good. Freezing is not recommended because the sugar coating can lose its dry texture. For a dairy-free option, use dairy-free white chocolate chips and confirm the mix-ins are vegan if needed.