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Christmas Poppy Chow Recipe
Ash Tyrrell

Christmas Poppy Chow Recipe

I just made a big bowl of this festive Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe and I can’t wait to share it with you. As I stirred melted chocolate and peanut butter into cereal, the kitchen smelled like holiday magic. It’s fun, easy, and every bite feels like a little celebration.
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Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 20
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups Chex cereal I used chocolate Chex for extra richness — this crisp base soaks flavors but stays crunchy.
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips — melts smoothly and balances sweetness.
  • ½ cup smooth peanut butter — gives richness and helps the chocolate coat the cereal.
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter — helps thin the mixture so it coats evenly.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract — adds depth and rounds out flavors.
  • 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar divided — for that “snowy” candy coating effect.
  • 2 cups holiday-shaped pretzels or mini pretzel twists — adds salty crunch and visual charm.
  • 1 cup white melting wafers or white chocolate chips — used to drizzle on pretzels for contrast.
  • 2 tablespoons of Christmas-colored sprinkles — to decorate and elevate the festive look.
  • 1 cup mini Reese’s peanut butter cups unwrapped — mini bites of extra indulgence.
  • 1 cup holiday M&M’s any flavor you like — for color, candy fun, and extra sweetness.

Method
 

  1. Melt semisweet chocolate, peanut butter, and butter together in increments (about 30 seconds in the microwave, stirring between each) until smooth and fully combined. Then stir in vanilla extract.
  2. Place Chex cereal in a large bowl. Pour the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture over it, then gently stir until each piece is evenly coated.
  3. Transfer the coated cereal into a large bag or container, add 1½ cups powdered sugar, and shake until coated. Spread on a sheet pan, chill in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes until it firms.
  4. While cereal chills, melt the white wafers. Lay the holiday pretzels on parchment and drizzle the melted white chocolate over them. Immediately sprinkle colored sprinkles before it sets.
  5. Once the cereal mix is chilled, transfer back to a bowl or bag, add the remaining ¾ cup powdered sugar and shake until fully white (snowy). Then spread out, sprinkle on M&M’s, peanut butter cups, and top with decorated pretzels. Serve or package.

Notes

  • Use fresh, not stale, cereal — stale ones absorb moisture and lose crunch.
  • Don’t overheat the chocolate mix; take care in 15-second bursts to avoid burning.
  • I like to coat in powdered sugar in two stages (first to set, then again) for perfect “snowy” coverage.
  • Chill briefly before adding candy — if too warm, M&M’s or peanut butter cups may melt.
  • Use a big enough bag or container to shake freely without crushing cereal.