St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, filled with vibrant colors, lively parades, and of course, delicious treats! One festive concoction that perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday is St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow. This fun and easy-to-make snack, also known as Muddy Buddies, combines the sweetness of chocolate with the creaminess of peanut butter, all dressed up in festive green and gold. It’s a delightful mix that brings joy to any gathering and is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
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When I first made this for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the joy on everyone’s faces said it all. Watching friends and family pick at this delicious snack, the nostalgic childhood flavors mingling with the festive colors, was truly heartwarming. That’s the beauty of St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow—it’s not only easy and budget-friendly, but it transforms any occasion into something memorable. Don’t hesitate to whip up a batch of this sweet treat that’s sure to become a beloved tradition in your home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Just 15 minutes to prep and a little patience while it cools, this treat comes together without fuss.
- Irresistible Flavor: The blend of creamy peanut butter and sweet chocolate creates a flavor explosion that’s hard to resist.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The vibrant green color paired with golden sugar really makes this a showstopper.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for parties, game night, or as a festive snack during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Can be customized to fit dietary needs with gluten-free cereals and dairy-free alternatives.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- White Almond Bark: 24 ounces (divided into 18 ounces and 6 ounces). This gives a sweet coating that hardens nicely and binds with the cereals.
- Rice Chex Cereal: 11 cups (divided into 8 cups and 3 cups). The perfect crunchy base that absorbs the chocolate mixture beautifully.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: 1/2 cup. This adds rich flavor and a creamy texture that elevates the whole mix.
- Green Food Coloring: 5-10 drops or gel equivalent. This ingredient adds the festive touch of green—just the right amount to transform your chow!
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup. This sweetens the mix and helps give it a light, powdery coating.
- Gold Sanding Sugar: 1/4 cup. This final touch adds sparkle and a delightful textural contrast.
How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
Prepare Pans: Start by lining two large half-sheet pans with parchment paper or wax paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze later on.
Prepare Green Cereal: In a very large mixing bowl, place 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal. This will form the base of your green mix, so make sure to use a bowl big enough to stir comfortably.
Melt Green Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 18 ounces of chopped almond bark with 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter. Microwave this for 60 seconds, then stir well. Continue to microwave in 30-second bursts until the mixture is completely smooth.
Color the Coating: Once your mixture is silky, it’s time to add the fun! Stir in 5-10 drops of green food coloring until you achieve your desired “clover” green shade. Adjust the color as needed, ensuring it’s festive enough for St. Patrick’s Day.
Coat Green Pieces: Pour the luscious green mixture over the 8 cups of cereal. Gently fold until each piece is coated. This part is so satisfying—watch as each Chex piece is smothered in that bright mixture!
Add Sugar: Sprinkle 1 cup of powdered sugar into the bowl, folding delicately for 3-5 minutes until the green shows through and the pieces are dry and separated. The sugar adds sweetness and helps keep everything from clumping together. Once done, spread the mix evenly on the first sheet pan.
Prepare Gold Cereal: Next, grab another bowl and place 3 cups of Rice Chex in it. We’re getting ready to make our golden mix!
Melt Gold Coating: In a separate bowl, melt the remaining 6 ounces of almond bark in the microwave until smooth. This will be the sweet coating for our gold pieces.
Coat Gold Pieces: Pour the melted bark over the 3 cups of cereal. Stir until every piece glistens with the shiny coating.
Add Gold Sparkle: Immediately sprinkle 1/4 cup of gold sanding sugar over the wet white cereal. Toss gently to coat all sides, ensuring every piece gets a bit of that sparkling finish.
Cool and Mix: Let both pans sit for 30-60 minutes at room temperature (or refrigerate for 15 minutes) until set. After they’ve cooled, break apart any clumps and combine the green and gold pieces into a large serving bowl.
Storing & Reheating
To store your St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. You can also refrigerate it, although it’s best enjoyed at room temperature for that perfect crunch. If you want to save some for later, freeze it in a well-sealed bag or container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to indulge again, simply allow it to thaw at room temperature. Keep in mind that the texture might change slightly when frozen and thawed, but a quick toss should make it just as enjoyable!
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Be gentle when folding in the powdered sugar to prevent it from becoming too clumpy, which can hide the vibrant colors.
- For a more intense green, use gel food coloring instead of liquid; it gives more color without altering the texture.
- Don’t rush the cooling process—taking your time will help prevent a sticky mess.
- Want to customize? Try adding mini chocolate chips or festive sprinkles for extra flair.
- Ensure your almond bark is chopped into small pieces for even melting and smooth mixing.
There’s something undeniably magical about gathering with friends and family—especially during a festive occasion like St. Patrick’s Day. This St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow brings sweet joy and vibrant merriment to the table. It’s a treat that’s not only fun to make but incredibly satisfying to eat. Allowing creativity to shine through in your snacks can elevate any celebration. Give this recipe a try and watch as it becomes a staple in your holiday spread!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use milk chocolate instead of white almond bark?
Absolutely! While the traditional recipe calls for white almond bark for its sweet taste and bright color, using milk chocolate would result in a more classic chocolate flavor. Just ensure you melt it carefully to avoid burning.
How do I store leftover Puppy Chow?
Store any leftover St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. It retains its delicious crunch best this way!
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare Puppy Chow a day or two in advance. Just store it in an airtight container and set it out a few hours before serving to let the flavors mingle.
How can I change the colors for different occasions?
Changing the food coloring allows for endless possibilities! Use orange and black for Halloween, red and blue for the Fourth of July, or use pastels for Easter. Just make sure to match the colors to the theme of your event!
PrintMore Desserts & Appetizers Recipes
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- Pretzels with Cinnamon Sugar
- St. Patricks Day Lime Poke Cake
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📖 Recipe Card
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
- 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
Description
Enjoy the festive St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow, packed with flavor and easy to make. This delightful treat features crispy Rice Chex coated in white almond bark, creamy peanut butter, and a pop of green color, perfect for sharing at celebrations!
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 green food coloring or gel equivalent
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup gold sanding sugar
Instructions
- Line two large half-sheet pans with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 18 ounces of chopped almond bark with 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds, stir, and continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until smooth.
- Add green food coloring to the mixture, stirring until the desired shade is achieved.
- Pour the green mixture over the 8 cups of cereal and fold gently to coat evenly.
- Add the powdered sugar to the bowl and fold for 3-5 minutes until the green coating is visible and pieces are separated. Spread on the first sheet pan.
- In a separate bowl, place 3 cups of Rice Chex.
- Melt the remaining 6 ounces of almond bark in the microwave and stir until smooth.
- Pour the melted almond bark over the 3 cups of cereal and stir to coat. Spread onto the second sheet pan.
- Immediately sprinkle gold sanding sugar over the wet almond bark-coated cereal, tossing gently.
- Allow both pans to sit for 30-60 minutes (or refrigerate for 15 minutes) to set. Once set, break apart clumps and mix the green and gold pieces in a large serving bowl.
Notes
Use more or less green food coloring to achieve the desired shade.
For an extra crunch, consider adding nuts or pretzels to the mix.
Make sure the almond bark is fully melted to ensure even coating of the cereal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
