The Sweetest Reindeer Chow {Muddy Buddies} Recipe For Holidays

Sweet and crunchy reindeer chow bursts with chocolatey goodness that melts in your mouth.

This classic holiday snack combines the perfect blend of textures and flavors.

Powdered sugar coats each crispy piece, creating an irresistible treat everyone loves.

Chocolate and peanut butter mingle seamlessly to create a delightful mix that disappears quickly at parties.

Kids and adults can’t resist the addictive crunch of this simple dessert.

The recipe comes together in minutes with just a few pantry staples.

Grab a handful and watch this festive snack vanish before your eyes.

Reindeer Chow Muddy Buddies Why They’re Addictive

• Super easy recipe that anyone can make without advanced cooking skills, perfect for beginners or busy home cooks.
• Delightful snack perfect for holiday gatherings, movie nights, or spontaneous sweet cravings with minimal kitchen effort.
• Versatile recipe allowing personal touches like switching candy colors, using different chocolates, or adjusting sweetness levels to match individual preferences.
• Engaging recipe that children can help prepare, making it an excellent activity for family bonding and introducing young ones to basic cooking techniques.

All Ingredients for Muddy Buddy Snack Mix

• Chex Cereal: A crispy and light base that provides the perfect crunch for this sweet snack.
• Peanut Butter: Adds a rich, creamy texture and nutty flavor to the mixture.
• Butter: Helps create a smooth and glossy chocolate coating.
• Chocolate: Provides a decadent chocolate layer that binds the ingredients together.

• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its sweet and aromatic essence.
• M&Ms: Adds colorful bursts of chocolate and a playful texture to the snack.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a sweet, dusty coating that gives the Reindeer Chow its signature look and extra sweetness.

Tools for Easy Reindeer Chow Preparation

• Large Microwave-Safe Bowl: Perfect for melting chocolate, peanut butter, and butter smoothly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Essential for stirring and mixing ingredients evenly.
• Measuring Cups: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Paper Bags: Double-bagged to shake and coat the cereal with powdered sugar.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Helps mix cereal with chocolate mixture thoroughly.
• Mixing Spoon: Helps combine ingredients and fold M&Ms into the mixture.

Simple Steps for Muddy Buddies Magic

Step 1: Melt Chocolate and Butter

Grab a microwave-safe bowl and combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.

Microwave in short 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval until the mixture becomes smooth and fully melted.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

• Chocolate chips
• Peanut butter
• Butter

Stir in vanilla extract to enhance the rich, creamy mixture.

Mix thoroughly until everything is well incorporated and silky.

Step 3: Prepare Cereal Coating

Pour the melted chocolate mixture over crispy rice cereal.

Gently fold and stir until every single cereal piece gets completely covered in the decadent chocolate blend.

Step 4: Set Up Powdered Sugar Station

Take clean brown paper bags and line them with powdered sugar.

These bags will help create that classic dusty, sweet exterior of the treats.

Step 5: Shake and Coat

Transfer the chocolate-covered cereal into the prepared bags.

Seal the bags and shake vigorously, ensuring each piece gets a perfect, even coating of powdered sugar.

Step 6: Add Colorful Crunch

Sprinkle in colorful M&Ms throughout the mixture.

Gently fold to distribute the candies evenly, adding a playful burst of color and extra sweetness.

Step 7: Final Touch

Taste and adjust sugar coating if needed.

Spread the finished Reindeer Chow on a large baking sheet to cool and let the coating set completely.

Tips for Chocolatey Muddy Buddy Perfection

• Use low microwave power and stir frequently to prevent chocolate from burning or seizing.
• Work in small batches to ensure each cereal piece gets evenly coated with chocolate mixture.
• Adjust powdered sugar quantity based on desired sweetness level and coating thickness.
• Store in airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness, consuming within 5-7 days.
• Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate for unique taste profiles.

Mix In Ideas for Reindeer Chow Batches

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace regular cereal with gluten-free crispy rice cereal for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Nutless Wonder: Swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for nut-free households, perfect for school snacks.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter and dairy-free chocolate chips to create a vegan-friendly version.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a diabetic-friendly treat.

Serving Suggestions for Muddy Buddies

• Party Snack Centerpiece: Create a festive holiday serving platter with the Reindeer Chow, surrounded by cute holiday decorations like miniature reindeer figurines or sparkling snowflake ornaments.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Package the Reindeer Chow in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for holiday gift-giving or as a homemade treat for neighbors and friends.
• Movie Night Munchies: Serve this delightful snack in cute holiday-themed bowls during family movie nights, adding a fun and sweet element to your cozy gathering.
• Classroom Treat Surprise: Pack small individual portions in festive paper cups for kids' holiday parties, making it an easy and delicious snack that children will love sharing with classmates.

Storage Help for Reindeer Chow Leftovers

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping the Reindeer Chow cool and crisp to maintain its texture.
• Place in freezer-safe bags or containers, lasting up to 3 weeks; separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Keep in sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat, consuming within 3-4 days for best flavor and crunchiness.
• Spread on baking sheet and crisp in 250°F oven for 3-5 minutes if mixture becomes soft, then let cool completely before serving.

FAQs

• What are Muddy Buddies?

A sweet snack made by coating Chex cereal with chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, creating a crunchy, addictive treat popular at parties and holidays.

• Can I use different types of chocolate?

Yes, you can substitute milk, dark, or white chocolate based on your preference, though milk chocolate works best for traditional Muddy Buddies.

• How long do Reindeer Chow last?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they remain fresh for about 5-7 days, maintaining their crispy texture and delicious flavor.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids love helping mix ingredients, shaking bags to coat cereal, and enjoying this sweet snack. It’s a fun, easy recipe that children can participate in making.

Reindeer Chow {Muddy Buddies} Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet chocolate-coated Reindeer Chow muddy buddies delight chocolate and peanut butter fans with classic Midwestern charm. Holiday gatherings become magical when friends gather around this irresistible snack that you cannot stop eating.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 14 cups Chex cereal
• 18 ounces (510 grams) holiday M&Ms
• 12 ounces (340 grams) semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 cup peanut butter

Binding Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating Ingredients:

• 4–5 cups powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Gently melt peanut butter and butter in microwave at 50% power until smooth and fully combined, stirring every 30 seconds.
2. Gradually incorporate chocolate into warm peanut butter mixture, stirring continuously until achieving a glossy, uniform consistency.
3. Stir vanilla extract into chocolate mixture, ensuring even distribution of flavor.
4. Divide cereal into two equal portions and carefully fold half into chocolate mixture, ensuring each piece gets evenly coated.
5. Prepare double-layered paper bags with powdered sugar at the bottom, creating a protective coating surface.
6. Transfer chocolate-coated cereal into prepared bags, seal tightly, and vigorously shake to completely cover with powdered sugar.
7. Assess sugar coverage and add more powdered sugar if needed for a complete, even white coating.
8. Gently fold M&Ms into the sugar-coated cereal mixture, distributing them throughout the batch.
9. Repeat entire coating process with remaining cereal and chocolate mixture to ensure consistent texture and flavor throughout the entire batch.

Notes

• Prevent chocolate from seizing by melting slowly and stirring constantly to maintain smooth consistency.
• Use gluten-free cereal like Chex for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets, ensuring total recipe adaptability.
• Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white for unique flavor variations and personalized taste experiences.
• Store in airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness, keeping treats crispy and delicious for several days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 15mg