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 18oz and 6oz); 11 cups rice chex cereal (divided 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 right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a fun and festive treat? This St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow recipe gives a delightful twist to the classic snack mix we all know and love. Imagine crunchy pieces of Rice Chex engulfed in creamy peanut butter and smooth white almond bark, all kissed with a vibrant green hue and sprinkles of golden sugar. Each bite is like the perfect crunch followed by a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness that’s just irresistible.

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 still remember the first time I made puppy chow for a holiday gathering. Everyone went nuts! It’s not just a snack; it brings people together in joy and laughter. Whether you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party or simply looking for something fun and festive to munch on, this treat does it all. Easy to make, visually appealing, and oh-so-delicious, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone reaching for more. Get ready to whip up batches of this delightful goodness and enjoy the smiles it brings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: You can whip this up in just 15 minutes, with no baking required!
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of creamy peanut butter, sweet almond bark, and crunchy cereal creates a snack that’s hard to resist.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The vibrant green and sprinkling of gold sugar make it perfect for St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for parties, movie nights, or just a fun snack anytime you crave something sweet.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapted for gluten-free diets by using gluten-free cereal!

Ingredients You’ll Need

24 ounces white almond bark: This is essential for creating a creamy coating that sticks perfectly to the cereal. It melts beautifully and adds a delicious sweetness.
11 cups rice Chex cereal: The backbone of this recipe. This cereal offers that satisfying crunch while being light and airy.
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: This provides a rich flavor and helps the almond bark adhere to the cereal. You can swap it for almond butter if you prefer.
5-10 drops green food coloring: This gives your puppy chow a festive touch, making it pop with that vibrant St. Patrick’s Day green! Gel food coloring works great too!
1 cup powdered sugar: Adds an extra touch of sweetness and helps create that classic puppy chow texture.
1/4 cup gold sanding sugar: For that glamorous finishing touch. It not only looks festive but elevates the sweetness and texture.

How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

Prepare Pans: Line two large half-sheet pans with parchment paper or wax paper. This simple step makes cleanup a breeze and ensures your puppy chow doesn’t stick.

Prepare Green Cereal: In a very large mixing bowl, place 8 cups of rice Chex cereal. This will be the base of our green puppy chow.

Melt Green Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 18 ounces of chopped white almond bark and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave this mixture for 60 seconds, then stir. Continue microwaving in 30-second bursts until smooth and creamy.

Color the Coating: Add the green food coloring to the melted mixture and stir until the color reaches your desired clover green shade. This step is where the fun begins; feel free to mix in a little at a time until you achieve that perfect festive color.

Coat Green Pieces: Pour the green mixture generously over the 8 cups of cereal, using a gentle folding motion to ensure every Chex piece gets covered without breaking.

Add Sugar: Sprinkle 1 cup of powdered sugar into the bowl. Fold for 3-5 minutes until the green shows through and the pieces are dry and well separated. Spread this mixture evenly onto the first sheet pan.

Prepare Gold Cereal: In a separate mixing bowl, place 3 cups of rice Chex cereal. This will be the base for our rich gold puppy chow.

Melt Gold Coating: Melt the remaining 6 ounces of white almond bark in the microwave until smooth. This will give your gold cereal that delicious sweet coating.

Coat Gold Pieces: Pour the melted bark over the 3 cups of cereal. Stir gently until all pieces are thoroughly coated, then spread onto the second sheet pan.

Add Gold Sparkle: Right after you’ve coated the cereal, immediately sprinkle the gold sanding sugar over the top while the mixture is still wet. Toss gently to cover all sides for that sparkly touch.

Cool and Mix: Allow both pans to sit for 30-60 minutes at room temperature (or refrigerate for 15 minutes) until set. Once cool, break apart any clumps and combine the green and gold pieces in a large serving bowl, mixing them together for an eye-catching treat.

Storing & Reheating

Storing your St. Patrick’s Day puppy chow is a breeze! Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for about one week. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to two weeks or freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just pop it in the microwave for a quick 10 seconds to refresh that delightful crunch. Keep in mind that freezing may alter the texture slightly, so it’s best enjoyed fresh!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Don’t rush the melting process. Melt the almond bark slowly to avoid burning it.
Make sure the bowls you use are completely dry before mixing any wet ingredients; moisture can cause the chocolate to seize.
Fold gently but thoroughly when combining the cereal with the coating to prevent breakage and uneven coverage.
If you find it too sweet, consider reducing the amount of powdered sugar next time, or using less almond bark.
Keep a close eye on the cooling process to ensure that the mixture sets properly before mixing the colors together.
You can prepare the green and gold puppy chow ahead of time and mix it on the day you plan to serve.

St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow offers a fun and festive way to indulge in a sweet treat. It’s easy, quick to make, and a total crowd-pleaser. So why not gather your friends or family, bring them into the kitchen, and whip up a batch together? With the inviting crunch and delicious sweetness, it’s a delightful snack that will bring smiles all around. Don’t be shy about getting creative, too! You can even drizzle some melted chocolate or add in some festive sprinkles. Enjoy the process and the smiles that follow!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare puppy chow a few days in advance. Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week for the best flavor and texture.

What can I use instead of almond bark?

If you can’t find almond bark, chocolate chips can be a great alternative. Just note that they may not coat quite as smoothly, and you might need to add a splash of vegetable oil to help with the consistency.

How do I prevent the cereal from getting soggy?

Make sure the melted coating is not too hot when you combine it with the cereal. Mixing at a cooler temperature helps maintain that delightful crunch. Also, allowing it to cool completely before storing will prevent condensation.

Can I customize the colors for other holidays?

Definitely! You can easily swap out the green and gold for other festive colors to suit any occasion. Using different food coloring, you can create colors for birthdays, Halloween, or any other celebration. Just have fun with it!

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St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

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Author: Anna
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 11 servings 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

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Description

This St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow features an irresistible blend of flavors with creamy peanut butter and delicious almond bark. Quick to make and perfect for sharing, this treat combines fun and flavor to bring joy to your celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

24 ounces white almond bark (divided 18oz and 6oz)
11 cups rice chex cereal (divided 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.
In a large mixing bowl, add 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 18 ounces of chopped almond bark with 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds, stir, and continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until smooth.
Stir in green food coloring to achieve your desired shade.
Pour the green mixture over the cereal and gently fold until each piece is coated.
Add 1 cup powdered sugar and fold for 3-5 minutes until dry and separated, then spread on the first sheet pan.
In a separate bowl, add 3 cups of Rice Chex.
Melt the remaining 6 ounces of almond bark until smooth in the microwave.
Pour the melted bark over the cereal and stir until coated. Spread onto the second sheet pan.
Immediately sprinkle gold sanding sugar over the wet cereal, tossing gently to cover all sides.
Allow both pans to cool for 30-60 minutes or refrigerate for 15 minutes until set. Break apart any clumps, then combine the green and gold pieces in a large serving bowl.