That childhood favorite snack of yours just got an upgrade! Whether you call it puppy chow, muddy buddies or just plain good, you have to try this brownie batter version!
Chocolate and peanut butter goodness is hard to beat. It is especially good when wrapped around crunchy cereal and made into a munchable mix. But instead of being coated in powdered sugar, this version is coated in brownie batter to make it extra good!
Puppy Chow is one of those childhood favorites that you just have to make every once in a while. Crunchy, chocolaty, peanut buttery goodness that brings you right back to those carefree days.
It made an appearance at all of our sleepovers, movie nights. It is still a must have for holidays, game nights or a special treat on a movie night.
Of course it is the chocolate and peanut butter combo that make it so addictive, but it needs something to keep all of that candy coated cereal from sticking together.
The traditional way to keep it separated is to shake it in a bunch of powdered sugar. The chocolate sets and you get that goodness in individual pieces.
As delicious as puppy chow is any old way, sometimes it is fun to mix thing up a bit. I thought it would be fun to make that favorite treat even more chocolaty. What if you shake it in brownie mix instead of powdered sugar.
Mind blown? I know, right?!
It doesn’t get much easier or more delicious than that! Brownie batter muddy buddies are sure to become a new favorite for Christmas snacking, movie night, game night, and more!
How to Heat-Treat Brownie Mix
We have always known there was some risk involved in eating raw cookie dough and cake batter from the raw eggs. But in recent years we have become more aware of the bacteria that can be present in raw flour and cake mixes.
However, you can mitigate that risk by “heat-treating” the mix. Luckily, it’s super simple and takes just a minute or two. Here’s how…
- Dump the mix into a glass microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave on high for about 1 to 1 ½ minutes, stirring every 20 seconds.
- The brownie mix will be warm (160F) and any bacteria that were present will be gone!
- Let the mix cool completely before adding to the recipe.
Are muddy buddies and puppy chow the same thing?
Yes. Both the name muddy buddies and puppy chow refer to cereal coated in chocolate and then powdered sugar. Most of the time there is peanut butter involved, but over the years cooks have created all sorts of different flavors. The name you call it likely depends on where you grew up, but the snack is popular throughout the Midwest.
How do you store brownie muddy buddies?
Once the chocolate is set, puppy chow can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. As long as it doesn’t get warm or too much humidity, it will likely stay perfectly crunchy past that. You can refrigerate or freeze it if you want, but we never have it around long enough to necessitate that.
More Great Snack Mix Recipes:
Peanut butter maple snack mix is a fun one. It is loaded with peanut butter, kissed with maple and has plenty of trail mix favorites mixed in.
Classic oven baked chex mix is a savory favorite snack mix. It is a perfect snack for a party, great for game day and more.
Microwave caramel corn is a fun family favorite. Finishing it in the microwave gives you that crunchy finish in a fraction of the time.
Peanut butter popcorn is another crunchy favorite. It adds a peanut butter flavor kick to caramel corn and it is super fun to snack on.
I won’t tie you up any longer. Run to the kitchen. Gather these ingredients. Make this ASAP. You will thank yourself (and me!!) later.
Brownie Batter Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 6 cups Chex cereal
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1½ cups brownie mix
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Start with 30 seconds, then stir and return to microwave in 15 second intervals being sure to stir between each until the chocolate is smooth.
- Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until completely combined.
- Fold in cereal until well coated.
- Place in a gallon zip topped bag with the brownie mix and shake until coated. Allow to set up before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Kristie
Sunday 6th of November 2022
This is super easy to make and tastes great!!
Carlee
Monday 7th of November 2022
I am so glad you liked it!
Tanta Penny
Wednesday 3rd of April 2019
I'm a huge fan of Muddy Buddies/Puppy Chow. I make bake sale treats for my pastor's son and Chex type snacks sell very well but they must be nut-free:-(. Any idea what I can replace the peanut butter with and still get the smooth coverage?
Carlee
Sunday 7th of April 2019
You could use sunbutter instead. I believe sunflower seeds are allergy friendly. Otherwise for my reindeer chow, I used 1 1/2 cups of dark chocolate and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil as the chocolate coating. It makes the chocolate a bit softer and more like the texture of the peanut butter version. Then you can toss in powdered sugar or brownie mix or whatever you'd like!
Unknown
Wednesday 4th of January 2017
Thanks
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Friday 23rd of December 2016
I love regular puppy chow, and I probably love it too much. So, I know I would love this even more!!
Carlee
Saturday 24th of December 2016
It is dangerous...and wonderful!!
Frugal Hausfrau
Thursday 22nd of December 2016
Oh my gosh, Carlee, that sounds crazy good, you evil genius, you!! Love it!!! :)
Carlee
Saturday 24th of December 2016
It's terribly good ;-) Thanks!