Description
A quick and straightforward recipe for a festive snack perfect for Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 cups (about 150g) Rice Chex cereal, original flavor
- 1 cup (about 120g) mini pretzels
- 10 ounces (280g) white melting chocolate, high-quality recommended
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar, fresh preferred
- 6 ounces (170g) Valentine’s Day M&Ms
- Sprinkles, colorful and festive (optional, amount as desired)
- Large sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- 1-gallon zip-top plastic bag
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Spatula or spoon for stirring and folding
Instructions
- Step 1: Begin by lining a large sheet pan with parchment paper. This will create a smooth, clean surface for your Valentine’s Puppy Chow and make cleanup easier later.
- Step 2: Pour 5 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl. Measure carefully to ensure you have enough base for the recipe; this quantity helps prevent over-coating with chocolate.
- Step 3: Place ½ cup powdered sugar into a 1-gallon zip-top bag. Confirm the bag seals completely to avoid spills when shaking the coated cereal later.
- Step 4: Microwave the 10 ounces of white melting chocolate in 30-second increments. Stir well after each interval to monitor the texture. Use caution to avoid overheating, which can cause the chocolate to seize and become unworkable. If seizing happens, add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to restore smoothness and continue heating.
- Step 5: Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal in the large bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold and stir, coating every piece evenly. Be careful to fold gently instead of stirring vigorously to keep the cereal pieces intact.
- Step 6: Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal to the zip-top bag with powdered sugar. Seal it tightly and shake well to coat all pieces with the powdered sugar evenly. This ensures a sweet and balanced finish. If the mix seems too clumpy, you can add 2 more tablespoons of powdered sugar gradually during shaking.
- Step 7: Open the bag and add the 6 ounces of Valentine’s Day M&Ms and any sprinkles you are using. Gently fold them into the coated cereal with a spatula or spoon. This adds festive color and texture to the snack.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store Valentine’s Puppy Chow in an airtight container for up to 2 days to keep it crunchy and fresh.
- Refrigeration: Keep the mixture sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days for maintained texture and flavor.
- Freezing: Use a freezer-safe container or bag to freeze the snack for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- When melting white chocolate, stir every 30 seconds and watch carefully to prevent overheating and seizing. If the chocolate seizes, add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and continue microwaving.
- Use a spatula for folding the chocolate into the cereal 30 seconds after pouring for better, even coverage and to avoid breaking the cereal pieces.
- If the powdered sugar does not cling well, shake longer in a sealed 1-gallon bag for a better coating.
- To boost color, sprinkle an additional tablespoon of festive sprinkles over the mixture before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg