Name: St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 24 ounces white almond bark, divided into 18oz and 6oz; 11 cups rice chex cereal, divided into 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

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St. Patrick’s Day is a time for joy, celebration, and yes—delicious treats! One of my favorite festive snacks is the delightful St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow, also known as Muddy Buddies. This whimsical mix combines the crunchy goodness of Rice Chex cereal with a creamy, peanut buttery coating, all beautifully tinted green to embody the spirit of the holiday. As you munch on this sweet snack, each bite will remind you of the joy of sharing treats with loved ones, making it the perfect addition to your St. Paddy’s Day festivities.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

I vividly remember the first time I made this recipe. It was a snowy spring afternoon, and friends were coming over to help celebrate the holiday. With just a handful of ingredients and a mere 15 minutes of prep time, this charming treat quickly became our go-to for parties and gatherings. The combination of flavors and colors makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and even non-dog lovers can’t resist diving in. Trust me, the moment you taste it, you’ll be just as eager to share!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With only 15 minutes of active prep time, you’ll have a stunning snack ready in no time.
Irresistible Flavor: The sweet and creamy peanut butter pairs perfectly with the crunchy cereal, resulting in a mouthwatering treat.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The vibrant green and sparkling gold make this puppy chow festive for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Flexible Serving: Ideal for parties, snacks, or just an afternoon treat while you admire your leprechaun decorations.
Diet-Friendly Options: Substitutions like dairy-free almond bark can accommodate various dietary needs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

24 ounces white almond bark: This is the main coating in our puppy chow; it melts beautifully to create a sweet crunchy exterior. Use high-quality brands for the best texture.
11 cups Rice Chex cereal: This cereal forms the base of our treat. You can also use Corn Chex or a gluten-free option if needed.
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: The peanut butter adds a rich flavor and creamy consistency. If you love chocolate, feel free to use nut butters like chocolate hazelnut for a twist.
5-10 drops green food coloring: This gives your puppy chow its festive hue. Gel color works best but be careful not to overdo it!
1 cup powdered sugar: Essential for dusting and sweetening the mix, powdered sugar also helps to keep the pieces from sticking together.
1/4 cup gold sanding sugar: This adds a delightful sparkle to your treat, making it even more festive.

How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

Prepare Pans: Line two large half-sheet pans with parchment paper or wax paper and set them aside. This step makes cleanup a breeze and prevents any sticking.

Prepare Green Cereal: Place 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a very large mixing bowl. If you love the texture of larger cereal pieces, don’t hesitate to crush some lightly.

Melt Green Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 18 ounces of chopped white almond bark and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave on high for 60 seconds, then stir. Continue to heat in 30-second intervals until the mixture is completely smooth and well-combined.

Color the Coating: Stir in the green food coloring, adding drops gradually until the mixture reaches your desired “clover” green shade. This step is where the fun begins; feel free to make it as vibrant as you wish!

Coat Green Pieces: Pour the melted green mixture over the 8 cups of Rice Chex. Gently fold the cereal to coat every piece evenly. Patience is key here!

Add Sugar: Sprinkle the powdered sugar into the bowl and gently fold for about 3-5 minutes, until the green color shows through and the pieces are dry and separated. Spread the coated cereal onto the first sheet pan in an even layer.

Prepare Gold Cereal: In a separate mixing bowl, place the remaining 3 cups of Rice Chex. This will create our lovely gold layer.

Melt Gold Coating: Melt the remaining 6 ounces of white almond bark in the microwave until it’s smooth and glossy. Make sure you watch it closely to avoid any burning!

Coat Gold Pieces: Pour the melted almond bark over the 3 cups of Rice Chex. Stir it well until each piece is completely coated. Your kitchen should already smell amazing!

Add Gold Sparkle: Immediately sprinkle the gold sanding sugar over the wet cereal, tossing it gently to ensure all sides are covered. The combination of the creamy bark and sparkling sugar is simply irresistible.

Cool and Mix: Allow both pans to sit for 30-60 minutes until set. If you’re in a hurry, refrigerate for around 15 minutes. Once firm, break apart any clumps and combine the green and gold pieces in a large serving bowl. Voilà!

Storing & Reheating

You can store your St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you need to make it ahead of time, refrigerating it can help it keep fresh, or pop it in the freezer for up to three months. Just remember, when you’re ready to enjoy, you won’t need to reheat it; simply let it come to room temperature for the best texture and flavor.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Be gentle when folding the cereal after coating to avoid breakage.
Ensure that the almond bark is fully melted and smooth; this will help everything coat better.
For extra crunch, try adding some chopped nuts or pretzels to the mix!
If using gel food coloring, start with a small amount; you can always add more.
To prevent clumping, don’t let the mixture set too long before combining colors—work efficiently!

As the sweet aroma and vibrant colors fill your kitchen, you’ll find that making this charming treat is as enjoyable as eating it. It’s sure to bring cheer to your gatherings and make everyone smile.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make this treat a day or two in advance. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness for as long as possible.

What can I use instead of almond bark?

If almond bark isn’t available, you can substitute it with chocolate chips or melting wafers. Just be cautious with the sweetness; white chocolate can be quite sweet, so you may want to adjust the amount of powdered sugar.

How do I prevent the pieces from sticking together?

To keep your puppy chow from clumping, ensure you coat each piece thoroughly and sprinkle the powdered sugar while the mixture is still warm. Storing it in an airtight container will also help maintain its crunchiness.

Can I customize this recipe?

Of course! Feel free to add other fun mix-ins like mini marshmallows, Lucky Charms cereal, or even green candies to make your puppy chow even more festive and personalized. Get creative with your ingredients!

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St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 11 servings 1x
Category: Holidays recipes
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

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Description

This St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow is a fun and delicious treat that combines crunchy cereal with sweet almond bark and peanut butter, making it an irresistible snack for gatherings. Quick to prepare and perfect for sharing, it features a festive green and gold appearance that adds joy to any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale

24 ounces white almond bark, divided into 18oz and 6oz
11 cups rice chex cereal, divided into 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

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Instructions

Line two large half-sheet pans with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
In a very large mixing bowl, add 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 18 ounces of chopped almond bark and the creamy peanut butter. Heat in the microwave for 60 seconds, stir, and continue heating in 30-second intervals until smooth.
Add green food coloring and stir until the mixture reaches your desired shade.
Pour the green mixture over the 8 cups of cereal and fold gently to coat each piece.
Add the powdered sugar to the bowl and mix for 3-5 minutes until the pieces are dry and separated. Spread this mixture onto the first sheet pan.
In a separate bowl, place the remaining 3 cups of Rice Chex.
Melt the remaining 6 ounces of almond bark in the microwave until smooth.
Pour the melted almond bark over the 3 cups of cereal and stir until fully coated. Spread onto the second sheet pan.
Immediately sprinkle gold sanding sugar over the wet white cereal, tossing to coat all sides.
Let both pans sit for 30-60 minutes or refrigerate for 15 minutes until set. Break apart any clumps and mix the green and gold pieces in a large serving bowl.

Notes

Ensure almond bark is fully melted and smooth for the best coating.
You can adjust the amount of green food coloring based on your color preference.
Store the finished Puppy Chow in an airtight container for optimal freshness.