Description
Indulgent reindeer chow blends chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar into a festive Midwestern treat. Sweet crunch meets holiday cheer, promising delightful moments you’ll savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups rice chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Decorative and Crunchy Ingredients:
- 1 cup red and green M&Ms
- 1 cup mini pretzels
- ½ cup festive holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Gather a spacious mixing bowl and measure out the Rice Chex cereal, ensuring ample room for thorough coating and mixing without spillage.
- Create a smooth chocolate mixture by combining semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe container. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely melted and uniform.
- Incorporate vanilla extract into the warm chocolate mixture, stirring gently to distribute the flavor evenly throughout.
- Carefully pour the liquid chocolate over the cereal, using a spatula to fold and coat each piece delicately without crushing the cereal’s structure.
- Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into a large zip-top bag or sealed container, then generously dust with powdered sugar. Shake vigorously to ensure complete and even coverage.
- Spread the sugar-coated mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing it to rest and set for approximately 20 minutes at room temperature until the coating hardens.
- Enhance the festive appearance by gently folding in colorful M&Ms, mini pretzels, and seasonal sprinkles, distributing them uniformly throughout the mixture.
- Serve immediately as a delightful holiday snack, or package in decorative bags for gifting. Store in an airtight container to maintain crispness and flavor for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Ensure gentle mixing when coating cereal to prevent breaking delicate Chex pieces during chocolate incorporation.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mat for easier cooling and preventing sticking during the drying process.
- Customize mix with gluten-free Chex and alternative chocolates for dietary restrictions like celiac or dairy-free needs.
- Store in airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness, consuming within 3-5 days for optimal taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Melting
- Cuisine: Scandinavian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 207
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 94 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg