What Is Puppy Chow?
If you’ve never heard of Puppy Chow (no, not the dog food!), let me introduce you to one of the most dangerously snackable treats on the planet. Also known as “Muddy Buddies,” Puppy Chow is a sweet snack mix made with Chex cereal, melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. It’s crunchy, messy, and utterly irresistible.
The Flavor Twist – Cherry Cheesecake
Now, imagine all that snacky goodness… but with the creamy, tangy-sweet flavor of cherry cheesecake. That’s right! Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow takes the classic muddy buddies formula and infuses it with cheesecake flavoring and a burst of cherry. It’s like having your favorite dessert in snack mix form.
Why This Treat Is So Addictive
Let’s be real—sweet, crunchy, creamy, fruity… It’s a flavor bomb. Add in how easy it is to whip up a big batch with zero baking, and you’ve got the ultimate party treat or midnight snack.
Ingredients Breakdown
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
6 cups rice Chex cereal
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup cheesecake-flavored pudding mix (instant, dry)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cherry preserves or cherry pie filling
1/4 cup cream cheese (softened)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional: freeze-dried cherries for garnish
Optional Add-ins and Variations
Making It More Cheesecakey
Wanna amp up the cheesecake vibes? Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your cream cheese mixture for that tangy edge.
Adding a Crunch Element
Toss in some crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers. They add crunch and bring in that classic cheesecake crust feel.
Step-by-Step Recipe Guide
Prepping the Ingredients
Start by measuring out your cereal into a large mixing bowl. Trust me, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of room to stir.
Melting and Mixing Process
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips in 20-second bursts, stirring between each round. Once melted, quickly stir in the softened cream cheese, cherry preserves, and vanilla extract.
Coating with Powdered Sugar
Pour the melted mixture over your cereal and gently stir to coat evenly. Work quickly—it’ll start to set fast. Once coated, toss everything in a large Ziploc bag with the powdered sugar and cheesecake pudding mix. Shake it like your life depends on it.
Setting and Serving
Spread your mix out on parchment paper to cool and set. Once dry, sprinkle in your freeze-dried cherries or crushed cookies for extra flair.
Pro Tips for Perfect Puppy Chow
Avoiding Soggy Chow
Use just enough cherry filling to give flavor without soaking the cereal. Too much moisture = sad, soggy snack.
Best Way to Coat Evenly
Always mix your melted ingredients before pouring, then gently fold to avoid crushing the cereal. Shake in a sealed bag for even sugar coverage.
Storage and Freshness Tips
Store in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay fresh for about 5 days—if it lasts that long.
Customizing for Special Occasions
Valentine’s Day or Romantic Themes
Throw in some red and pink sprinkles or M&Ms. Cute AND delicious.
Birthday Party Mix Ideas
Add mini marshmallows, rainbow sprinkles, or edible glitter to bring the party vibes.
Holiday-Themed Variations
Use green and red candies for Christmas, or orange and black for Halloween. It’s a festive treat year-round.
Nutritional Considerations
Caloric Content and Serving Sizes
Let’s be honest, it’s not a diet food—but who’s counting? A 1/2 cup serving packs around 200–250 calories depending on your ingredients.
Making a Healthier Version
Sub in low-fat cream cheese, reduced-sugar preserves, and use stevia-based powdered sugar alternatives. Still tasty, less guilt.
Frequently Asked Mistakes to Avoid
Overheating the Chocolate
White chocolate is finicky. Go slow and stir often. If it seizes up, add a touch of coconut oil to smooth it out.
Adding Too Much Powdered Sugar
Less is more. Too much and you overpower the cheesecake flavor.
Using the Wrong Cereal
Stick with rice Chex. Corn varieties can taste off, and anything else gets mushy fast.
Fun Ways to Serve It
Mini Dessert Cups
Scoop into little clear cups with a cherry on top—perfect for parties!
Edible Gift Jars
Layer it in mason jars with cute ribbons. Instant homemade gift!
Mixed Snack Platters
Pair with pretzels, popcorn, or chocolate-covered nuts for a killer snack tray.
Why Everyone Loves It
Kid-Friendly and Parent-Approved
No peanut butter, so it’s allergy-safe for school snacks. Plus, kids love helping shake the bag!
No-Bake Simplicity
No oven, no stress. This is a lazy chef’s dream dessert.
Versatile and Customizable
One base recipe, endless possibilities. Switch the flavors, change the mix-ins, own your creation.
Print
Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow
A delicious no-bake snack mix that combines the crunchy goodness of Chex cereal with the sweet, creamy flavors of cherry cheesecake. Perfect for parties, gifts, or late-night snacking, this twist on traditional Puppy Chow is quick to make and impossible to resist!
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: About 8 cups 1x
Ingredients
6 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup cherry preserves or cherry pie filling
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix (dry)
Optional: crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers
Optional: freeze-dried cherries or red sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
Prepare cereal
Add the Rice Chex cereal to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Melt the mixture
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Add softened cream cheese, cherry preserves, and vanilla extract. Stir until fully combined.
Combine with cereal
Pour the melted mixture over the cereal.
Gently stir until all the cereal is evenly coated.
Coat with powdered mix
In a large ziplock bag, combine powdered sugar and cheesecake pudding mix.
Add the coated cereal to the bag, seal, and shake well until everything is evenly dusted.
Cool and serve
Spread the mixture on parchment paper to cool and set for 10–15 minutes.
Optional: Sprinkle with crushed graham crackers or freeze-dried cherries before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes (microwave only)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Conclusion
Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow is the kind of treat that disappears before you know it. It’s got all the elements of a winning snack—sweet, tangy, crunchy, and creamy—all wrapped in a ridiculously easy-to-make recipe. Whether you’re whipping it up for a party or just munching on the couch, this twist on the classic Puppy Chow will hit all the right notes.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Just use gluten-free Chex and check labels on other ingredients like pudding mix.
Q2: How long does it last?
Stored in an airtight container, it’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Q3: Can I freeze Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow?
You can, but the texture may change slightly. Freeze in a ziplock bag and thaw at room temperature.
Q4: What cereal works best?
Rice Chex is ideal due to its neutral flavor and crisp texture.
Q5: Can I use fresh cherries?
Fresh cherries add too much moisture. Stick with preserves or freeze-dried cherries for best results.