Introduction

This festive Reindeer Food Recipe, also known as Christmas Puppy Chow, is a delightful and colorful snack perfect for the holiday season. It’s a sweet and crunchy mix that combines chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels, and festive candies for an irresistible treat loved by kids and adults alike.

A large white bowl filled with a mixture of three main layers: the base layer consists of crunchy pretzel pieces covered in white powdered sugar, giving them a rough, powdery texture; the middle layer is made of small, colorful red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered evenly throughout; the top layer has small chocolate peanut butter cups, some whole and some cut in half, showing their smooth, dark brown centers and ridged edges. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with some loose candies and pretzel pieces on the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
1 ½ cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces
2 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms
1 cup mini peanut butter cups

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the Rice Chex cereal and broken pretzel pieces.
Step 2: Melt the peanut butter and chocolate chips together, either on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth.
Step 3: Pour the peanut butter and chocolate mixture over the cereal and pretzel mix. Stir gently to coat all pieces evenly.
Step 4: Chill the coated mixture in the refrigerator until it just begins to set, about 30 minutes.
Step 5: Remove from the refrigerator and prepare a separate large bowl by adding ½ cup powdered sugar at the bottom.
Step 6: Add half of the chilled mixture into the bowl, then sprinkle another ½ cup powdered sugar over it. Add the remaining mixture and finish with the last ½ cup powdered sugar.
Step 7: Gently stir and toss until the powdered sugar is evenly distributed and the mixture is well coated.
Step 8: Chill the mixture again in the refrigerator until fully set, about 30 to 60 minutes.
Step 9: If needed, add additional powdered sugar in ¼ cup increments, stirring gently, until the coating is thick and even.
Step 10: Stir in the red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups to add festive color and extra flavor.
Step 11: Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy this crunchy, sweet holiday snack.
Step 12: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 to 7 days.

Tips & Variations

Use creamy peanut butter for easier mixing and a smoother coating.
Swap M&Ms for holiday-colored chocolate candies or dried cranberries for different textures and flavors.
For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter and omit peanut butter cups.
Allowing the mixture to chill properly ensures the coating sets nicely and prevents clumping.

Storage

Store this snack in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it fresh and crunchy. It will last well for 5 to 7 days. If the mix loses some crispness, gently stir before serving. Reheating is not necessary but can be done briefly to soften peanut butter pieces if desired.

How to Serve

A white plate is filled with a snack mix that has three main layers. The bottom layer consists of chunks covered in white powdered sugar, looking rough and uneven with a dusty texture. The middle layer has small red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered evenly, showing a smooth and shiny surface. The top layer contains small chocolate cups, some whole and others cut in half, placed randomly on top, with a rich brown color and a smooth texture. The plate is set on a white marbled texture surface, and there are more candies and pretzels visible around the edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

While you can use crunchy peanut butter, creamy peanut butter melts more smoothly and helps the chocolate mixture coat the cereal more evenly, resulting in a better texture.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe can be made a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature, and stir gently before serving to redistribute any powdered sugar that may settle.