Celebrate Valentine’s Day with this sweet and easy-to-make puppy chow recipe. Made with Chex cereal, candy melts, M & M’s, and festive sprinkles, this Valentine Puppy Chow recipe is the perfect treat to share with loved ones or as a treat for yourself!
Have you ever tried Puppy Chow? You may have also heard it called Muddy Buddies or Monkey Munch, but I assure you, it is not for dogs or monkeys! This tasty snack is the ultimate treat to make for just about any Holiday and you can change it up to fit any color needed. We love making this Valentine Puppy Chow and placing a few scoops in bags as gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, and the whole family! Also check out my S’mores Muddy Buddies, Classic Chex Mix Puppy Chow, Patriotic Muddy Buddies, and even my Christmas Reindeer Chow to see all the tasty variations I make!
Ingredients Needed to make this Valentine’s Day Puppy Chow Recipe
Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed for this no bake treat. To see printable recipe card with exact ingredient amounts, scroll below.
- Chex Cereal– any brand and type works great, however, my favorite is Rice Chex cereal since I usually have it on hand for a quick breakfast option.
- Candy Melts– I use pink candy melts and white candy melts, however, you can also use red candy melts if desired.
- Powdered Sugar– confectioners sugar gives this Valentines Day Muddy Buddies recipe the perfect sweetness and coats the cereal thoroughly.
- M & M’s– look for the Valentine M&M colored bag if possible. This helps add to the festive colors throughout.
- Sprinkles– Valentines sprinkles are the perfect ending touch, however, if you don’t have any on hand, you can omit.
How to make Valentine Puppy Chow
- Take two large bowls, and add half of the chex cereal to each bowl.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the pink candy melts by microwaving for 30 second intervals, stir well between.
- Pour the melted candy over one of the bowls of chex, and toss the cereal in the candy to coat.
- Add 1 cup of the powdered sugar to two gallon plastic storage bags (large Ziploc bag).
- Add the pink coated chex cereal to one of the bags, close, and shake to coat the cereal in powdered sugar.
- Repeat this process by melting the white candy melts.
- Pour the white candy over the remaining bowl of cereal, and toss to coat.
- Add the white coated cereal to the other powdered sugar bag. Close, and shake to coat in the powdered sugar.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment, and pour the sugar coated chex onto the baking sheet in an even layer.
- Allow the candy to set on the cereal, for about 1 hour.
- When serving, add the coated chex to a serving bowl, and add M&Ms and sprinkles.
Expert Tips for making Valentine Puppy Chow Mix
- If you don’t want to use a microwave, you can also use a double boiler method. Place the chocolate melts in a small glass mixing bowl. In a saucepan bring 1 inch of water to a simmer. Place the bowl on top of the pan. Heat until the chocolate is fully melted, stirring constantly.
- To speed up the cooling process, you can place puppy chow in the refrigerator.
- Be sure to add the sprinkles while the candy melts are still wet otherwise they won’t stick.
- If you don’t want to use candy melts, you can use this homemade puppy chow recipe instead, using chocolate chips and peanut butter to coat the cereal. Just add some sprinkles and M & M candies to make it festive.
- You can make this gluten free by using gluten free Chex cereal. Rice Chex and Corn Chex typically are, be sure to check the box.
Variations of Valentines Chex Mix
- Once fully cooled, you can add in conversation candy heart, cinnamon red hearts, or even dried strawberries for added color and flavor.
- Use chocolate chips or white chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter in place of the candy melts using this classic puppy chow recipe.
- Add in Nutella in place of the candy melts using my Smores Muddy Buddies recipe.
- Rather than coating the cereal in powdered sugar, you can coat the cereal mixture using strawberry cake mix for a strawberry puppy chow with cake mix.
How to store Valentines Muddy Buddies
- This sweet treat is best enjoyed within the first few days as that is when the cereal will be the crunchiest.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container up to 1 week.
- You can refrigerate up to 1 week, if it lasts that long.
- To freeze, place pink puppy chow in a storage bag or container and freeze up to 3 months. You can thaw before serving, or enjoy it cold and frozen!
More Valentine’s Day Recipes to try
- Chocolate Raspberry Milkshake– made with creamy ice-cream, fresh raspberries, and a touch of chocolate syrup. Easy to whip up and the perfect way to satisfy any sweet tooth craving!
- Valentines Day Pretzels– come together using only 3 ingredients! A salty sweet combination perfect for giving away as gifts, parties, or snacking!
- Easy Valentine M & M Cookies– delicious, easy, and take less than 20 minutes to prepare! Chewy, soft, and full of ooey, gooey chocolaty goodness in every bite!
- Cupid’s Strawberry Boozy Mudslide– a combo of fruit and classic cocktail ingredients, is just the thing to whip up for your Valentine!
- Valentine Mini Cheesecake Squares– mini bite sized cheesecake squares with a candy conversation heart on top. The perfect Valentine’s Day treat!
- Ooey Gooey Valentine Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie– ooey, gooey and warm straight from the oven! Top the cookie with vanilla ice cream and you'll be in dessert heaven.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies– using only 5 ingredients, these shortcut cookies come together in no time and are the ultimate combination of flavors!
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Valentines Day Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies)
This Valentine's Day, surprise your loved ones with a sweet and festive treat: Valentine Puppy Chow! A delicious mix of chocolate, cereal, and festive sprinkles, this snack is perfect for sharing and showing your affection.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups Chex Cereal
- 6 oz pink candy melts
- 6 oz white candy melts
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- M & M candies
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Take two large mixing bowls, and add half of the chex cereal to each bowl. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the pink candy melts by microwaving for 30 second increments, stirring well between.
- Pour the melted candy over one of the bowls of chex, and toss the cereal in the candy to coat.
- Add 1 cup of the powdered sugar to two gallon plastic storage bags.
- Add the pink coated chex cereal to one of the bags, close,and shake to coat the cereal in powdered sugar. Repeat this process by melting the white candy melts.
- Pour the white candy over the remaining bowl of cereal, and toss to coat.
- Add the white coated cereal to the other powdered sugar bag.Close, and shake to coat in the powdered sugar.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment, and pour the sugar coated chex onto the baking sheet in an even layer.
- Allow the candy to set on the cereal, for about 1 hour.
- When serving, add the coated chex to a serving bowl, and add M&M candies and sprinkles.
Nutrition
Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 190mgPotassium: 115mgFiber: 4gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 330IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 9mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!
Kristin Hayes says
Such a tasty treat! We put these in plastic gift bags and give them to friends and teachers!