I love this time of year! There are so many goodies that are preserved just for the holidays, it just makes our favorite treats extra special! Why is that anyway… we think we can only have these yummies when the temperature drops? Who knows, but I’ll take ’em!
One of those holiday treats my family always made is puppy chow! Or, more commonly known as muddy buddies. I doctored them up a little for more of a festive flare by adding holiday m&ms! I KNOW you’re going to love these!!
Reindeer Chow {Muddy Buddies}
- 14 Cups Chex cereal
- 18 oz holiday m&ms
- 12 oz semi sweet chocolate, bar or chips
- ½ Cup unsalted butter
- 1 Cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4-5 Cups powdered sugar
- Melt the peanut butter and butter in a microwave safe dish. Microwave in 30 second intervals until butter is melted. Add the chocolate a little at a time until all is melted into the mix. You might need to microwave one last time to make sure everything is melted and add the vanilla. Stir together.
- In a large bowl add half of the cereal.
- Drizzle half of the chocolate peanut butter mixture into the cereal in the bowl. Mix with a spoon.
- Place one large paper bag into another one. Add ½ cup of the powdered sugar and half of the mixed cereal into the bag. Close this tightly and shake vigorously. Add more powdered sugar ½ cup at a time if needed until all the cereal is coated. Add ¼ of the m&ms into the bag and toss. Place in an air tight container.
- Continue these step with the remaining ingredients.
- Keep stored in an air tight container. I personally love to keep it in the freezer, YUM!
- Enjoy!
Step by Step Instructions
Melt the peanut butter and butter in a microwave safe dish. Microwave in 30 second intervals until butter is melted. Add the chocolate a little at a time until all is melted into the mix. You might need to microwave one last time to make sure everything is melted and add the vanilla. Stir together.
In a large bowl add half of the cereal.
Drizzle half of the chocolate peanut butter mixture into the cereal in the bowl. Mix with a spoon.
I like to use a large plastic bowl like this one.
Place one large paper bag into another one. Add 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar and half of the mixed cereal into the bag. Close this tightly and shake vigorously. Add more powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time if needed until all the cereal is coated.
Add 1/4 of the m&ms into the bag and toss.
Place in an air tight container.
Continue these step with the remaining ingredients.
Keep stored in an air tight container. I personally love to keep it in the freezer, YUM!
Enjoy!
What do you think? Is this something you and your little ones will enjoy?!
These were always a favorite among my cousins and myself growing up. Eating it immediately takes me back to my child hood. Going sledding, the anticipation of Santa Claus and just that magical feeling you get around this time of year!
I even made these cute mason jar gift containers so I can give them away to my neighbors and family! Grab a pack on Amazon today and start packaging up those gifts!
I hope you make these and start some traditions of your own! Do you already have some traditions? What are some musts you make??
Looking for some more yummy treats? Click on the images below to be taken to their recipes!
For even more recipe and food inspiration make sure to follow my Food board on Pinterest!
I participate in these linky parties, DIYHSHP and Orj Junkie.
Oh my gosh that looks amazing! It looks just like the “puppy chow” they have at Casey’s quick shop which tastes divine. YUM!
Great project !!
I would love you to come and share @ Craft, Create & Inspire linky party !!!
Look forward to seeing you there 🙂
http://lemonpaperdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/craft-create-inspire-linky-party-8.html
Claire x
I love to eat “puppy chow.” Now..cute name and extra yummies for the Christmas season 🙂
I think I just died and ended up in reindeer heaven!
Love it and pinned it!
Thanks so much for linking up at the Super Saturday Link Party!
🙂 Linda
This looks delicious, Dana! Pinned.
Very festive and tasty!
Ohhh this looks so good (and so addicting!) What a great Christmas treat!!!
This is wonderful stuff. Looks fantastic. I cannot wait to make it. Thanks for sharing.
This looks yummy. I think this will be a project for me and my 7 year old while her brother goes to scouts and her sister goes to activity days. She always feels left out because she doesn’t get to go until she is 8. We have mommy/daughter time during that time of week and I’m always looking for a fun easy project we can do together. This looks just right, fun, easy adn yummy! Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays! HUGS!
Aww, I hope she has fun! This will be perfect!
Any idea what could be substituted for the peanut butter for those with nut allergies? I have to avoid all nuts so almond butter is out, too. 🙂 Thanks!
I’d say just substitute more chocolate for the peanut butter, YUM!
I make this without peanut butter. I use one bag of chips and one stick of butter. Melt, toss with cereal and then the powdered sugar. Tastes great with mint M&Ms!
So you just omit the peanut butter??
My grand daughter is allergic to PB so would like to make this PB free
Yes, you can, but I would replace it with more chocolate in the same amount of peanut butter. If she can eat other nut butters, that would be a great replacement as well.
It looks so good to eat. I like yummy treats.
Sun butter makes a peanut free butter from sunflower seeds
I have been wanting to make some Muddy buddies for awhile now (because of the M&M) Thanks for making me crave them even more now. Would love for you to come over and share at my link party http://mommyondemand.com/create-bake-8/
This is such a cute recipe idea for the holidays… and easy too! 🙂
Thank you for sharing at Marvelous Mondays this week- Pinned!
YUM! I remember making something similar to this when I was younger. Thanks so much for linking up to the par-tay — pinning and tweeting! xo
Yum! My kids would love this! I’d love for you to stop by and share this at my weekly link party. Hope to see you there! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2013/12/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-70.html
We recently bought some Muddy Buddy Snickerdoodle Chex Mix at the store because my husband was saying how delicious they were, but they were okay. I did love the velvety goodness that the powdered sugar adds. Your Reindeer Chow Muddy Buddies are just so delicious looking. I have been wanting to make some of my own, thanks for sharing the how to’s so I can get some made. Thanks as always for linking up with us at Inspiration in Progress, I always enjoy your posts.
I’ve bought those packs when traveling and they aren’t half as good as the homemade stuff! You will fall in love with these babies, I promise!
YUMMY! A nice sweet treat for movie night!!
This is always a huge hit in my house and geez I almost always forget to make it, thanks for the delicious reminder! 🙂 Michelle
I love the fun holiday spin on muddy buddies 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up to Freedom Fridays, Dana!
This looks so fun and festive – and I’m such a sucker for muddy buddies! Thanks for sharing.
This looks great! I’m a new facebook follower stopping by from Catch A Glimpse Thursday.
http://christyscraftycorner.blogspot.com/
I was looking for this recipe…I saw it on Thifty Thursday! Thanks, I pinned it to make for Christmas treats.
Wonderful for munching on while you watch a sweet Hallmark Christmas movie too 🙂
Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. I featured you on facebook!♥
Thank you so much for sharing your Muddy Buddy recipe at last weeks Saturday Spotlight on Angels Homestead!
Hope to see you again soon!
April
Thank you for linking up at Craft, Create and Inspire last weekend 🙂 your awesome project is featured this week !!
Come grab an “I’ve been featured button” hope you will join us again this weekend
http://livel0vecreate.blogspot.co.uk/ (new url)
claire x
love this and the photos are amazing! This is a Tasty Tuesday at I’m Not a Trophy Wife on Tuesday! Please head over and grab a button on Tuesday!!! [email protected]
ps something tells me you will be featured several times!!! laura
This looks so good. Thanks so much for sharing with Adorned From Above’s Link Party. Have a great week.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
I love puppy chow now reindeer chow 🙂 I’m going to make some small baggies of it for my son’s class party this week & I absolutely LOVE your graphic/logo. Is it possible to get just the graphic “Reindeer Chow” without the photo of the mix in the background? I would love to use it for a printable tag & of course would be happy to pay you for your time!
Thanks & Merry Christmas, Kelley
Thanks so much, this sounds like a great idea! I will be contacting you shortly!
Reindeer chow-nice! Love the name 🙂 This snack is seriously so addicting.
http://bythesparklingsea.wordpress.com/2013/12/24/holiday-muddy-buddies/
Happy holidays!
Can this be made without the peanut butter?
I’ve never tried but I don’t see why not. Just double up on the chocolate, yum! Let me know how it comes out, thanks!
These look yummy, and I definitely want to make them. Does it matter what kind of chex cereal you use?
I recommend the rice chex, they are light and crispy and I think the flavor work with it the best. Thanks!
Thanks!
great recipe and thanks
Can anyone suggest a substitute for PB for those of us with nut allergies??
Approx. how many servings does this make? I love the idea as giving this as a gift to my coworkers, and I’ve already purchased cute bags. But I’m not sure if I need to do a double batch or not.
Easily 20 servings! Thanks for stopping by, I hope they like it!
I’m also planning to make a batch or two for my coworkers. (Using your mason jar idea gift jar idea, too!!) How many oz are you estimating per “serving”? Or how many 32oz mason jars would a batch fill? I’m guessing 3 – 4 jars?
I hate to say that I’m not entirely sure. It really makes a LOT. Depending on the size of the mason jars you use too. If you are using the smaller mason jars, I’d say you would get at least 12 portions if not more.
What a great idea to add the holiday M&Ms! I love it! I want to make this for gifts and Christmas day, but need to make some early. How do you recommend storing it, and how long do you think it will be good? Thanks so much! ::)
When I make muddy buddies I always store it in an air-tight container in the freezer. That is just a personal preference but it will keep for weeks like that. So, if you want to make it ahead of time, I suggest making this without the m&m’s, freeze it and then right before handing them out as gifts, mix in the m&m’s and package it up. I hope that helps!
Thanks so much for your help! That sounds perfect. 🙂
How much butter?
1/2 cup
How much you think the serving size is?
According to similar pre-packaged products like this a serving size is 1/3 Cup. However, if you are giving it as gifts or separating it into portions I would serve it in 1 Cup portions.