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    Recipes » Appetizers + Snack » Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe, aka Reindeer Chow

    Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe, aka Reindeer Chow

    Nov 9, 2021 · Last updated: Nov 9, 2021 by Gina Dickson · This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

    I appreciate your shares! xox

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    Jump to Recipe

    Perfect for parties or a gift, Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe is a festive sweet snack that everyone will enjoy and the best part is it quick to make. Also known as Reindeer Chow it is made with Chex cereal, peanut butter, Christmas-colored chocolate, and M&Ms then coated in powdered sugar. It's sure to become a favorite family tradition.

    Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe, aka Reindeer Chow in a bowl on a christmas towel with holly around
    PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER

    If you are looking for gift ideas this Christmas this recipe would be perfect. Fill up a glass mason with it and tie a red ribbon around the top. You might also like to check out my cookies in a jar post. Treat your friends with homemade cookie mix gift jars. They will love making their own homemade warm and delicious cookies from a jar.

    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe works
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • Tip
    • 🔪 Step by step instructions
    • Variations
    • 💭 Storage Tip
    • 🎀 Gifting
    • ❓ FAQ
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe

    Why this recipe works

    • If you want a quick Christmas snack that is on the level of addictive then this is what you should make.
    • This is a simple recipe that only takes a few ingredients and a microwave.
    • It's great to make for your own family or to give away as gifts to teachers, friends, or coworkers. Everyone will appreciate it.
    • It's a delicious sweet snack mix to serve at holiday parties during the Christmas season. It's always a crowd pleaser!

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe, aka Reindeer Chow ingredients
    • M&Ms: Keep an eye out around Thanksgiving for the Christmas M&M bags to be on your grocer's shelves. In a pinch, I have bought a big bag of M&Ms and picked out all the red and green M&M. We just ate the other colors as a snack.
    • Chex cereal: you have a choice to use rice Chex or corn Chex, whichever you prefer.
    • Peanut butter: It is best to use a good quality creamy peanut butter. Be sure to divide the cup of peanut butter in half if you want two colors of cereal.
    • Candy Melts: You can use white candy coating melts from Wiltons or white chocolate chips. They also sell white chocolate in squares at most grocery stores.

    See the recipe card for a complete list and quantities.

    Tip

    If you do not want to use food coloring you could also buy a bag of green melts and a bag of red candy coating melts.

    🔪 Step by step instructions

    1. For this recipe, it is best to gather all your ingredients and have everything in bowls ready to go. You are working with melted chocolate so it will be easier this way.
    Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe, aka Reindeer Chow ingredients and peanut butter and wafers in blue bowls

    2. In a small microwave-safe bowl combine 1/2 cup of chocolate wafers and 1/3 cup peanut butter. Repeat doing the same in another small bowl.

    cute girl putting peanut butter and wafer bowls in microwave

    3. Microwave one bowl at a time on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until you can stir the peanut butter mixture smooth.

    4. Mix in green food coloring in one of the bowls, stir to mix well. Add more green food coloring until you have a nice Christmas green color.

    Pour over one of the large bowls of cereal and toss gently coating the mixture over all of the cereal.

    bowl of red puppy chow with chrstmas m&

    5. Sprinkle powdered sugar all over the chocolate-coated cereal. I find it easier to lift the bowl and toss gently but a large wooden spoon will work also. This should take at least one to two minutes to coat well.

    6. Spread on wax paper to cool.

    7. Repeat for the second bowl using red food coloring. It will probably not take as much food coloring to get a good red color. Pour over cereal and coat with powdered sugar just as you did above for the green.

    Variations

    This is a very easy recipe to add in some fun items to mix up the flavors. Try adding any one of these to your Christmas muddy buddies recipe.

    • Use chocolate Chex mix cereal instead of corn or rice
    • Festive sprinkles
    • Mini pretzels
    • Mint M&Ms
    • Peanut M&Ms
    • Peanuts, cashews, pecans, or any other favorite type of nuts
    • Peanut butter chips, melt these instead of chocolate.
    • white chocolate (just don't add the food coloring)
    • Peanut butter flavored M&Ms
    • Pieces of candy canes

    💭 Storage Tip

    If you plan on serving this recipe at a Christmas party it would be best to make it the day before and then store it in an airtight container such as a resealable food-storage bowl. You could also use a ziplock-type large plastic bag. Then when you are setting up for the party pour mixture into a festive bowl to serve.

    🎀 Gifting

    This Christmas version of a muddy buddies recipe is perfect for gifting at Christmas time. It's the perfect Christmas treat everyone will enjoy getting during the busy holiday season.

    You can fill Mason jars with the mixture and tie a pretty ribbon and tag around the top.

    ❓ FAQ

    Why is it called puppy chow?

    It most likely got its name because in a bowl it looks somewhat like dog food. Chex cereals shared the recipe for their cereal coated in a mixture of peanut butter, chocolate, and butter, and dusted with powdered sugar.

    What is the difference between puppy chow Chex mix recipes and Muddy Buddies?

    There is really no difference other than the name, the base recipes are all the same. Many names have been taken on for this recipe. Some call it reindeer food, or reindeer puppy chow for Christmas snacks.

    Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe, aka Reindeer Chow in a bowl

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    • Easy Cold Appetizers Finger Food Recipes
    • Copycat Gardetto Honey-Mustard Pretzel Recipe
    • Easy Mexican Appetizers

    Love a recipe you've tried? 😋 Please leave a 5-star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

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    Recipe

    Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe, aka Reindeer Chow in a bowl on a christmas towel with holly around

    Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe, aka Reindeer Chow

    Gina Dickson
    Perfect for parties or a gift, Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe is a festive sweet snack that everyone will enjoy and the best part is it quick to make. Also known as Reindeer Chow it is made with Chex cereal, peanut butter, Christmas-colored chocolate, and M&Ms then coated in powdered sugar. It's sure to become a favorite family tradition.

    Note:

    To save you ink, video and equipment images will not print.

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share by Email
    Tap to prevent your screen from going dark while making this recipe.
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 min
    Total Time 16 mins
    Course Snacks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 servings
    Calories 195 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 cups Corn Chex cereal
    • 1 cup melting wafers white
    • green food coloring
    • red food coloring
    • 1 cup peanut butter creamy
    • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 cup M&Ms red and green plain, You can always add more if you like.

    Need an ingredient to make this recipe? Click this Instacart button and get what you need sent right to you.

    Instructions
     

    • In a large mixing bowl, mix in 4 cups of Chex cereal and 1/2 cup of M&Ms. Repeate using another large bowl adding 4 cups of cereal and M&Ms.
    • In a small microwave-safe bowl combine 1/2 cup of chocolate wafers and 1/3 cup peanut butter. Repeat doing the same in another small bowl.
    • Microwave one bowl at a time on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until you can stir the peanut butter mixture smooth.
    • Mix in green food coloring in one of the bowls, stir to mix well. Add more green food coloring until you have a nice Christmas green color.
    • Pour over one of the large bowls of cereal and toss gently coating the mixture over all of the cereal.
    • Sprinkle powdered sugar all over the chocolate-coated cereal. I find it easier to lift the bowl and toss gently but a large wooden spoon will work also. This should take at least one to two minutes to coat well.
    • Spread on wax paper to cool.
    • Repeat for the second bowl using red food coloring. It will probably not take as much food coloring to get a good red color. Pour over cereal and coat with powdered sugar just as you did above for the green.

    Need an item in the this recipe? Click the Instacart button and have it sent right to you.

    Notes

    Variations
    This is a very easy recipe to add in some fun items to mix up the flavors. Try adding any one of these to your Christmas muddy buddies recipe.
    • Use chocolate Chex mix cereal instead of corn or rice
    • Festive sprinkles
    • Mini pretzels
    • Mint M&Ms
    • Peanut M&Ms
    • Peanuts, cashews, pecans, or any other favorite type of nuts
    • Peanut butter chips, melt these instead of chocolate.
    • white chocolate (just don't add the food coloring)
    • Peanut butter flavored M&Ms
    • Pieces of candy canes
    Storage
    If you plan on serving this recipe at a Christmas party it would be best to make it the day before and then store it in an airtight container such as a resealable food-storage bowl. You could also use a ziplock-type large plastic bag. Then when you are setting up for the party pour mixture into a festive bowl to serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.33cupCalories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 353IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 3mg
    Share Your CreationTag @intentionalhospitality and hashtag #intentionalhospitality so I can see what you made. Don’t forget to leave a star rating.

    I appreciate your shares! xox

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    About Gina Dickson

    Hey y'all, I am here to help you build community and nurture faith around your table. You will find fun party ideas and delicious recipes for easy-to-make meals and party food. I want to help you create a table where people come together, enjoy a meal and linger with good conversation.

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    1. Nicolle

      December 09, 2022 at 7:05 pm

      Gina this is one of my kid's favorite snacks but I've never made a Christmas version! I'll have to try your recipe. I'd love to invite you to come link up at my weekly link party every Wednesday-Sunday https://www.ourtinynest.com/2022/12/07/weekly-wednesday-link-party-325/

      I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

      Reply
      • Gina Dickson

        December 11, 2022 at 5:32 pm

        Thanks, Nicolle, I will add the linkup to my calendar reminders. :)

        Reply

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