Christmas is all about traditions, and at our house, setting out a tray of cookies for Santa Claus has always been a must. After all, by the time he gets to our house, he’s probably going to be hungry for a gingersnap, or a few chocolate peppermint macarons. But don’t forget the Reindeer! They’re working hard, and deserve an extra special treat this year. This reindeer food recipe, a.k.a Chrismas Puppy Chow, a.k.a Reindeer Chow, puts a holiday spin on the classic muddy buddies/puppy chow recipe, and makes it super festive and fun. Save some for the ones who carry the sleigh, but serve the rest for guests to snack on (with a glass of Christmas Punch), or pack it up in pretty bags to give as gifts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You should also check out my recipes for Mint Chocolate Puppy Chow and Movie Theatre Muddy Buddies! Christmas Puppy Chow Fudge is also a delicious holiday treat.
Key Ingredients in Christmas Puppy Chow
There are some important ingredients that must be included in this special reindeer food recipe: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chex: A mixture of rice Chex and wheat Chex gives this Christmas reindeer snack extra fiber and crunch! Chocolate: Semisweet chocolate chips are my preference. You can also use semisweet chocolate bars, chopped up. Dark chocolate also works, but I’d avoid milk chocolate, as it can make puppy chow overly sweet. Peanut Butter: Any creamy peanut butter will work in this recipe. I used regular Skippy peanut butter. Butter and Vanilla Extract: Mix these in with the chocolate and peanut butter to make the most decadent coating for the Chex cereal. Powdered Sugar: This coats the puppy chow in a sweet fluffy covering. It sticks to your fingers in the best way! Peanuts: Reindeer love peanuts, don’t you know? I love them too, and they complement the peanut butter perfectly. Candy: To make this version of puppy chow extra Christmassy, add holiday M&Ms! And to make it extra chocolate-peanut-buttery, add miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups. Pretzels: Mini pretzel twists add a salty, crunchy element that helps to balance all of the rich sweetness going on elsewhere in the recipe.
How To Make Reindeer Food
Recipe Tips
Wait to Add the Pretzels: It’s best to add the candy, nuts, and pretzels to the mix just before serving. This way the pretzels and nuts stay crunchy and fresh, and the candy doesn’t get completely covered in powdered sugar. Skip the Wheat Chex: Rice Chex on its own makes a super tasty puppy chow, plus it’s gluten-free. You could also use corn Chex if you prefer. Try Other Candy: Feel free to replace the candy in the recipe with your favorite holiday candies. You could also add chocolate-covered pretzels instead of or in place of the regular ones. Add Sprinkles: I find it easiest to use red and green decorating sugar sprinkles and mix them up with the powdered sugar coating. Otherwise, the sprinkles won’t stick, or they’ll be hidden under all the fluff! Make it Peanut-Free: To make a peanut-free puppy chow, replace the peanut butter with any other nut or seed butter you enjoy, and leave out the peanuts.
Storing Tips
Keep your Christmas Puppy Chow in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month! Remember to wait to mix in the pretzels, nuts, and candy until just before serving so that everything is fresh and tasty.
Cookie Recipes for Santa
You have reindeer food ready, so make sure you have plenty of Christmas cookies baked to leave for the big elf! Here are a few of my favorites:
Pizzelle Cookies Peanut Butter Blossoms Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Classic Gingerbread Cookies Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies Christmas Crack
Be sure to include a glass of milk, or try a special treat like Peppermint Hot Chocolate or a Santa-themed Christmas Cocktail! The Reindeer are going to be so spoiled this year! Be sure to make enough Christmas Puppy chow for them and for all of your holiday guests. © Little Sunny Kitchen
