Muddy Buddies (American Midwest)

Whether you call it muddy buddies or puppy chow, this classic is always guaranteed to be a crowd favourite. Rice Chex cereal is coated with a combination of melted chocolate and peanut butter, then tossed in confectioners' sugar for the ultimate easy sweet snack. The first time I heard about this recipe, it was referred to as "puppy chow" and I absolutely thought that people were talking about a homemade dog food snack. I soon found out that it was an alternative (and sometimes regional) name for what is more commonly known as Muddy Buddies - a super quick recipe made with Rice Chex cereal. Traditionally, the cereal is coated with a melted mixture of chocolate chips, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla extract, then dusted with confectioners' sugar. Basically, it's one of the most addicting snacks you'll ever make. The fact that it can be thrown together in just 15 minutes is both wonderful and dangerous. If you ask me, it's all sorts of wonderful. It's great for parties, snacks and even to give as a gift. Fill some canning jars, tie a ribbon or some twine with a nice tag and you have a perfect gift for a hostess, a teacher, or anyone in need of a pick-me-up.

7 cups rice chex cereal (243 g)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (180 g)
1 cup creamy peanut butter (129 g)
½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 pinch sea salt
1½ cups confectioners' sugar (180 g)

Place the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a medium bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals on 50% power, stirring after each, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.

Pour a little bit of the chocolate mixture into the bottom of a large bowl. Add about a third of the cereal, a third of the remaining chocolate mixture, and repeat two more times. Using a rubber spatula, gently mix it all together until all of the cereal is completely coated. Place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.

Place ½ cup of the confectioners' sugar in a gallon-size zip-top bag, top with half of the cereal mixture, another ½ cup of the confectioners' sugar, the rest of the cereal mixture, then the remaining ½ cup of confectioners' sugar. Seal the bag, then shake it very well until all of the cereal is coated with confectioners' sugar.

Spread the mixture out onto a wax-paper lined sheet pan to cool and set, about 30 minutes, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 188kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 61mg, Potassium: 142mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 5IU, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg