Reindeer Chow
This sweet and salty Christmas Chex Mix is a must-make Christmas treat for the holiday season. Reindeer Chow is easy to make, festive and makes a colorful edible gift.
This is a recipe that you may have seen before because it has so many names. Christmas Chex Mix. Muddy Buddies, Puppy Chow. Reindeer Chow and more I’m sure.
This version is made with a mixture of Rice Chex cereal that has been sweetened with powdered sugar, peanut butter, cocoa powder and sprinkled with holiday M&Ms and chocolate chips. SOOO good and addicting, too!
I put it out at holiday parties or when guests drop by to give them a sweet snack to munch on while we catch up. It’s hard to stop at just one bite!
Why You’ll Love Chex Mix Muddy Buddies
- It’s an easy to make no-bake recipe
- Simple to customize to suit your family’s tastes
- Kid-friendly recipe that they can help make
- Sweet snack that everyone loves
- Ready to eat in 30 minutes
Ingredients to Make Reindeer Chow
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- Rice Chex cereal: Any kind of Chex cereal will work or you can use Crispix cereal.
- Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar (as we call it in Canada).
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Not the dutch processed cocoa powder which is treated an alkaline solution.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips will also work.
- Creamy peanut butter: You could try other nut butters here if you like. I don’t recommend using the crunchy version though. It will make it too difficult for the powdered sugar to stick.
- Vanilla extract: Pure or artificial is fine. You can also use homemade vanilla extract.
- Red and green M&M’s: Any kind of candy coated chocolate will work. I like the red and green colors to fit with the Christmas theme.
- Edible glitter spray (optional): You van find this in the baking aisle at Walmart, Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. It comes in a small bottle with a spray top so you spritz any treat with glitter for a sparkly effect. It’s totally optional, but will add a dash of Christmas magic.
How to Make Reindeer Chow
Step One: Place the cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
Step Two: In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
Step Three: Add ¾ cup of the chocolate chips and all the peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on 50% power for 30 seconds at a time. Stir well after each interval and continue to heat until completely melted. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step Four: Pour the chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the cereal and stir well to coat.
Step Five: Sprinkle the powdered sugar and cocoa powder mixture over the chocolate coated cereal and gently stir until the cereal is completely coated. Freeze for 15 minutes.
Step Six: Remove the cereal mixture from the freezer and stir in the M&M’s and remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips.
Step Seven: Spread the mixture on a large baking sheet or large piece of parchment paper or wax paper. Spray with edible glitter until you reach your desired effect.
Equipment Needed to Make Christmas Muddy Buddies
What to Serve with Christmas Puppy Chow
Christmas Snacks
- Eggnog Donuts
- Sweet Spiced Pecans
- Cranberry Coconut Pistachio Chocolate Bars
- Peanut Butter Truffles
- Christmas Popcorn
Christmas Drinks
Mix-in Variations
- Pretzels
- Peanuts
- Reese’s Pieces
- Crushed candy canes
- Mint chocolate chips
- Mini peanut butter cups
- White chocolate chips
- Sprinkles
- Hershey’s Kisses
- Jujubes
Storage Instructions
Store the Reindeer Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
You can also store it in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. My favorite way to enjoy this sweet treat is straight from the freezer!
Can I feed this to a reindeer?
No, DO NOT feed it to any animals. This treat is intended for humans only.
How to pack as an edible gift
- Put it in festive tin or christmas box
- Package in a Christmas cellophane bag with ribbon
- Share it in a Christmas food storage container as a practical gift with something yummy
Christmas Party Treats
You’ll also like White Chocolate Elf Fluff, Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies and S’mores Puppy Chow.
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If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!
Reindeer Chow
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips divided
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups red and green M&M’s
- edible glitter spray optional
Instructions
- Place the cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Add ¾ cup of the chocolate chips and all the peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on 50% power for 30 seconds at a time. Stir well after each interval and continue to heat until completely melted. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the cereal and stir well to coat.
- Sprinkle the powdered sugar and cocoa powder mixture over the chocolate coated cereal and gently stir until the cereal is completely coated. Freeze for 15 minutes.
- Remove the cereal mixture from the freezer and stir in the M&M’s and remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips.
- Spread the mixture on a large baking sheet or large piece of parchment paper or wax paper. Spray with edible glitter until you reach your desired effect.
Video
Equipment
- The Sugar Art – Sterling Pearl – Edible Shimmer Powder For Decorating Cakes, Cupcakes, Cake Pops, & More – Dust on Shine & Luster to Sweets – Kosher, Food-Grade Coloring – Super Gold – 2.5 grams
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Chocolate peanut butter mixture turned hard after adding vanilla Help!!!!
My son and I made this tonight. Really good, easy and delicious recipe. Thank you! I will be making this again!
Hi! I noticed it says 1 serving size but about how many people does that serve? I’m going to have my students make this and want to double/triple the recipe as needed to work on our multiplying fraction skills!
Thanks!
It makes about 9 cups. A serving size for one person would be about 3/4 -1 cup, give or take. I hope your students enjoy it!
Hi Stacey, your Rainder Chow was a great idea for us , we had a good time making it and we loved it when we watched the Christmas movie.
Hi Stacie…going to try this recipe for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Can I freeze the reminder chow after is made or store in a big container?
I want to make it ahead of time that’s is if it last that long!
Will it keep until Christmas?
Merry Christmas..always enjoy your Blogs and recipes
Hi Rose, Yes, you can freeze it for up to 3 months! You’ll be good for Christmas! Thank you for reading! 🙂
I’m curious about the chocolate chips added after freezing the mixture. The pic doesn’t look like there are bits of chocolate chips.
The chocolate peanut butter mixture sized after adding the vanilla. How do we prevent that in the future?