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Whipped up these peppermint puppy chow snacks yesterday and now my whole house has this amazing candy cane smell! Got the idea when I spotted some leftover peppermint bark from the holidays - turns out it takes normal puppy chow to a whole new level. They're incredibly easy to put together, and once you taste that mint-chocolate mix, you can't stop. Just don't expect them to stick around long!
Benefits Of These Treats
Wanted something quick for my kid's school event tomorrow - these only take about 15 minutes. Children go crazy for anything minty and chocolatey, and shaking everything in the bag with sugar makes it fun too. I've made them for three different holiday gatherings last December. What's awesome? You don't need your oven, and you'll just dirty one bowl and a single bag.What You'll Need
- Rice Chex: This type stays crunchier compared to the corn version
- Peppermint bark: Smash up a few bars, or buy the pre-broken pieces from the store
- Powdered sugar: Just the normal kind you already have
How To Create
- Prepare the sugar coating
- Dump powdered sugar into a large ziplock - you'll use this for the final coating
- Set up your cereal
- Empty Chex into a spacious bowl that gives you mixing room
- Soften the bark
- Heat in microwave using short intervals, mix between - it scorches quickly if you're not watching
- Combine everything
- Drizzle melted bark over cereal, fold carefully to avoid breaking pieces
- Get shaking
- Transfer mixture to your sugar bag and shake until fully covered
- Cool it down
- Lay out on wax paper until firm - try to keep your snacking minimal during waiting
Extraordinary Snack Mix
The peppermint bark really makes these special - I served both these and traditional chocolate ones at a gathering last week and these ran out first. The blend of white and dark chocolate from the bark gives them a fancy look without extra effort. And those tiny candy cane bits add an extra satisfying crunch between the cereal.Ingredient Notes
I've learned that budget cereal works perfectly fine - save your money on breakfast brands. If your bark seems too thick, warm it a bit longer to help it spread better. I once tried fancy powdered sugar but couldn't tell any difference from the cheap stuff, so don't bother spending more.Quick Shortcuts
Get all ingredients measured before you start - I learned this after my first batch hardened while I was hunting for sugar. Your cereal stays crispy if you move fast after melting the chocolate. Using two bags instead of one helps keep sugar from flying all over your kitchen (trust me on this one).Gift Ideas
These look super cute packed in small mason jars as presents - that's what teachers got from us last year. They'll stay fresh about seven days in an airtight container, assuming they last that long. I made the rookie mistake of putting them out during our family movie time once - they vanished before the movie even got going.Helpful Tips
Most people with gluten issues can enjoy these since they're made with Rice Chex. Just double-check your bark ingredients - some companies add wheat. I made a batch using dark chocolate bark for my friend who can't have dairy - she couldn't get enough. Just keep them stored somewhere cool or they'll start getting sticky.Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap peppermint bark with something else?
Sure, melt some white chocolate and add a drop or two of peppermint extract.
- → What’s the best way to store this treat?
Keep it in an airtight container on your counter, good for about a week.
- → Is it possible to double the ingredients?
Yes, just make sure you use a big enough bowl for mixing.
- → What if I don’t have rice Chex cereal?
Corn Chex or any similar cereal works just fine.
- → Can the bark be melted directly on the stovetop?
It’s better to use a microwave or double boiler to prevent it from burning.
Conclusion
If you can’t get enough minty treats, check out similar ideas like Peppermint Bark Pretzels for a salty-sweet combo or Peppermint Cocoa Mix, a wintertime favorite that's perfect for cozy nights in.