St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow is a festive twist on the classic sweet treat that will have everyone excited to snack. This version features colorful green and gold pieces that evoke the spirit of the holiday. Crunchy Rice Chex cereal is coated in a luscious mixture of creamy peanut butter and sweet almond bark, with a sprinkle of vibrant green food coloring and a touch of cheerful gold sanding sugar to evoke that lucky feeling. Whether you’re hosting a party, watching a parade, or simply indulging in some holiday fun, this puppy chow is a crispy, sweet delight everyone will love.
Table of Contents
My first encounter with puppy chow was during a friend’s winter gathering years ago. There it was, sitting in a gorgeous bowl with clusters of shiny goodness begging to be devoured. Fast forward to today, and I find myself making this treat every year for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a huge hit not only because it’s easy and quick to make but also because it packs a delightful flavor punch that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether enjoyed solo or shared among friends, you’ll find it hard to resist this playful snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Ready in just 15 minutes—you’ll have a festive treat in no time!
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of peanut butter and almond bark creates a rich, satisfying taste that everyone adores.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The lively green and shiny gold colors make it an attractive centerpiece for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
- Flexible Serving: Enjoy it as a snack, party treat, or even as a fun breakfast option.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Gluten-free and easily adaptable for vegan diets with the right choices.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 24 ounces white almond bark: This sweet coating is what holds the puppy chow together. Almond bark melts beautifully and creates that magical crunch. You can substitute with white chocolate chips if needed, but the texture may differ slightly.
- 11 cups rice Chex cereal: The base of your puppy chow, giving it the perfect crunch. Feel free to use any gluten-free Chex mix as an alternative.
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: This adds a rich, nutty flavor that contrasts perfectly with the sweetness. If you’re allergic, sunflower seed butter is a great substitute.
- 5-10 drops green food coloring: Vibrance is key! Add enough to achieve your desired “clover” green shade. Gel food coloring works well here, too.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: This adds a touch of sweetness and helps keep the pieces from sticking together. Organic powdered sugar can be used if preferred.
- 1/4 cup gold sanding sugar: A festive touch that sparkles! If you can’t find it, use regular granulated sugar with a bit of yellow food coloring mixed in for effect.
How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
Prepare Pans: Line two large half-sheet pans with parchment paper or wax paper, ensuring they are ready to hold your magical snack.
Prepare Green Cereal: In a very large mixing bowl, place 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal. This will be the foundation of your vibrant green pieces, so make sure it’s a big enough bowl!
Melt Green Coating: Take a microwave-safe bowl and add 18 ounces of chopped almond bark along with 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave the mixture for 60 seconds, then stir. Continue microwaving in 30-second increments until smooth and glossy.
Color the Coating: Once your mixture is silky, mix in 5-10 drops of green food coloring. Stir until you reach that perfect “clover” green that instantly feels festive.
Coat Green Pieces: Carefully pour the green mixture over the 8 cups of Chex and gently fold until every piece is thoroughly coated, taking care not to crush the cereal.
Add Sugar: Sprinkle in 1 cup of powdered sugar, folding gently for about 3-5 minutes. The cereals should show through the sugar, and the pieces should be dry and separated. Spread the coated mix on your first sheet pan.
Prepare Gold Cereal: In another mixing bowl, add 3 cups of Rice Chex cereal which will become your shiny gold pieces.
Melt Gold Coating: Combine the remaining 6 ounces of almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl and melt until smooth, just like you did before.
Coat Gold Pieces: Pour your melted bark over the 3 cups of Chex and stir well to ensure all the pieces are coated smoothly.
Add Gold Sparkle: While still warm, immediately sprinkle 1/4 cup of gold sanding sugar over the coated cereal. Toss gently to cover each piece, making them irresistibly shiny.
Cool and Mix: Let both pans sit for 30-60 minutes to set (refrigerating for 15 minutes works too). Break apart any clumps, then combine your green and gold pieces in a large serving bowl. The colors should shine together in harmony.
Storing & Reheating
For optimal enjoyment, store your St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you need to refrigerate it, keep it in a sealed container, and you can extend its freshness for around two weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. Just let it sit at room temperature to thaw when you’re ready to enjoy it again. A quick 10-second burst in the microwave can refresh it, though keep in mind that the texture may soften slightly over time.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- When melting almond bark, do so gradually to prevent burning—too high of a temperature can ruin the texture.
- Ensure your mixing bowls are large enough for easy stirring—this prevents disaster and keeps your kitchen clean!
- If you want to add extra flavor, try mixing in mini chocolate chips or festive sprinkles along with the gold sanding sugar.
- Be gentle when folding the cereal; you want to keep those crispy bits intact, but ensure they’re fully coated.
- Feel free to make this treat ahead of time. Just store it properly to maintain freshness!
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow brings festivity and flavor into any gathering. The colors, textures, and sweetness evoke the spirit of the occasion while keeping things relatively simple. Don’t hesitate to let your creativity flow by tweaking the ingredient combinations or experimenting with decorating for even more fun.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare it a day or two in advance. Just store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. The flavors actually have a chance to meld together, enhancing that yummy peanut butter and chocolate goodness.
Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes, as long as you choose gluten-free Rice Chex cereal, this puppy chow is completely gluten-free. Make sure to double-check the labels for any additional ingredients you’re considering adding.
Can I use white chocolate chips instead of almond bark?
You can certainly use white chocolate chips! Just melt them the same way, but keep in mind the consistency may differ slightly from the almond bark, making the coating a bit sweeter.
How can I make this puppy chow more festive?
You can add festive sprinkles, colored chocolate candies, or even other colored food coatings to make it pop for various holidays. Customizing the colors beyond greens and golds for different themes is a great way to keep this treat fresh and fun!
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📖 Recipe Card
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 11 servings
- Category: Desserts & Appetizers
- Method: Mixing & Melting
- Cuisine: American
Description
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow is a delightful blend of Rice Chex, creamy peanut butter, and sweet almond bark. With its fun green and gold colors, it’s perfect for parties or a tasty snack for the family. This easy recipe will make you the star of any celebration with its irresistible flavor and playful presentation!
Ingredients
- white almond bark – 24 ounces (divided 18oz and 6oz)
- rice chex cereal – 11 cups (divided 8 cups and 3 cups)
- creamy peanut butter – 1/2 cup
- green food coloring – 5-10 drops or gel equivalent
- powdered sugar – 1 cup
- gold sanding sugar – 1/4 cup
Instructions
- Prepare Pans: Line two large half-sheet pans with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- Prepare Green Cereal: Place 8 cups of Rice Chex in a large mixing bowl.
- Melt Green Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 18 ounces of chopped almond bark and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Heat in the microwave for 60 seconds, stir, then continue heating in 30-second bursts until smooth.
- Color the Coating: Stir in green food coloring until reaching the desired color.
- Coat Green Pieces: Pour the green mixture over the 8 cups of Rice Chex. Gently fold until each piece is covered.
- Add Sugar: Add 1 cup of powdered sugar to the bowl. Fold for 3-5 minutes until pieces are dry and separated. Spread on the first sheet pan.
- Prepare Gold Cereal: Place 3 cups of Rice Chex into another mixing bowl.
- Melt Gold Coating: Melt the remaining 6 ounces of almond bark in the microwave until smooth.
- Coat Gold Pieces: Pour the melted bark over the cereal and stir until coated. Spread onto the second sheet pan.
- Add Gold Sparkle: While the coating is still wet, sprinkle 1/4 cup of gold sanding sugar over the cereal and toss gently to cover.
- Cool and Mix: Let both pans sit for 30-60 minutes until set or refrigerate for 15 minutes. Break apart any clumps and mix the green and gold pieces in a serving bowl.
Notes
Make sure to allow the Puppy Chow to fully cool before storing to prevent clumping.
Use more or fewer drops of green food coloring based on your color preference.
Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
