Muddy Buddies, also called Puppy Chow, are a sweet tooth. Quick and easy to prepare, customizing them is even easier. Once you have mastered the basic recipe, you can replace several ingredients with others (for example, use a spread with cocoa and hazelnuts instead of peanut butter) to propose a surprising snack.
Ingrediants
Simple Muddy Buddies
- 900 g of stuffed cereals or puffed rice biscuits
- 175 g of chocolate chips
- 125 g of smooth peanut butter
- 55 g of butter or margarine
- 5 ml of vanilla
- 190 g of powdered sugar
Colorful Muddy Buddies
- 175 g of colored candy melts (175 g per color)
- 400 g of stuffed cereal or puffed rice biscuits per color
- 40 g of powdered sugar per color
Muddy Buddies S'mores
- 5 cups of honey cereal
- 3 cups of stuffed cereal or puffed rice cookies
- 125 g of smooth peanut butter
- 265 g of chocolate chips
- 175 g of mini marshmallows
- 125 g of powdered sugar
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making Simple Muddy Buddies
Step 1. Line a large baking sheet with wax paper
You will need the pan to distribute the muddy buddies when finished, so that they can cool down.
Step 2. Pour the cereal into a large bowl and set aside
Make sure it is large enough for the rest of the ingredients, as you will need to mix them all in this bowl.
Step 3. Place the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter / margarine in a microwave-safe bowl
You can use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate if you have a weakness for this ingredient. Don't you like peanut butter? Instead, try a cocoa and hazelnut spread, like Nutella.
Step 4. Microwave them on full power for 1 minute, then mix them with a spatula
The chocolate still hasn't melted completely, but you'll still need to stir it. This will help you melt it more evenly in the next steps.
Step 5. Microwave the bowl for another 30 seconds, then stir once more
Keep doing this until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous, without lumps.
Don't let the chocolate melt for more than 30 seconds at a time. In fact, when it starts to melt, it tends to burn easily. Therefore, avoid cooking it for too long
Step 6. Incorporate the vanilla
In this way the muddy buddies will become even more gluttonous.
Step 7. Pour the mixture over the grains and mix with a spatula
Try a twisting motion, bringing the cereal from the bottom to the top of the bowl. Also, try to mix gently to avoid crushing them.
Step 8. Pour the grain mixture into an 8 liter airtight bag
If you don't have a bag of this size, you can also pour it into a large plastic container with a lid. Since you will be shaking the mixture inside, make sure it offers enough space.
Step 9. Add the icing sugar
Try using a brownie mix instead to make the treats taste like chocolate.
Step 10. Close the bag tightly and shake it until the ingredients are completely coated
Make sure you leave enough air in the bag when closing it. This way the grains will be able to move around more easily when you shake them.
You may have some powdered sugar left over. If so, throw it away or save it for another recipe
Step 11. Use a spatula to spread the grains on the wax paper and allow them to cool
It takes about 10-15 minutes for them to cool. At this point they will be ready to be eaten. If you see clumped grains, gently break them up with your fingers.
Step 12. Serve the muddy buddies once cooled
Store leftovers in the fridge using an airtight container.
To color them, stir in 175g of M & M's or similar confetti just before serving. You can also use mixes of colored sugared almonds sold on the occasion of the holidays. For example, you could use red, white and green M & M's for Christmas
Method 2 of 3: Prepare the Colored Muddy Buddies
Step 1. Cover a baking sheet with a sheet of wax paper
The pan will allow you to distribute the muddy buddies after preparation so that they can cool down. You will need a separate pan per color if you want to make a colorful mix.
Step 2. Fill a large bowl with 400g of stuffed cereal or puffed rice cookies, which will be enough to make a portion of colorful muddy buddies
If you want them colorful, you'll need a separate bowl for each color. Then measure 400 g of cereals for each container.
Step 3. Place the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted
Stir them every 30 seconds. Heat them in separate bowls if you decide to use more than one color. Arrange to work with one color at a time.
Candy melts are nothing more than colored white chocolate. They can be found in stores that sell cake supplies
Step 4. Pour the melted chocolate over the grains and mix until well combined
If you are going to use more than one color, distribute it among the various bowls you have prepared. Do not mix 2 colors in the same container.
Step 5. Pour the icing sugar into a large airtight bag
It should be enough for a portion of colorful muddy buddies. If you intend to make different colors, you will need a separate bag for each of them. Measure 40 g of powdered sugar per bag.
A reduced dose of powdered sugar should be used. If you overdo it, the colors won't stand out well
Step 6. Place the grains in the bag, close it and shake it until evenly coated
The icing sugar will prevent them from sticking together.
Step 7. Spread the grains on the pan using a spatula
Try to distribute them as evenly as possible. If you want to prepare portions of various colors, repeat the operation on separate baking sheets, otherwise they will mix together.
Step 8. Wait for the grains to dry before pouring them into a bowl
Having used a little powdered sugar, the grains could stick together. In that case, all you have to do is break them. If you have several different colors, mix them all together in a bowl.
Step 9. Serve the colored muddy buddies
Store leftovers in the fridge using an airtight container.
Method 3 of 3: Making S'mores Muddy Buddies
Step 1. Line a large baking sheet with a sheet of wax paper
Considering that you will need to distribute the muddy buddies on the surface of the pan to cool them, make sure you have enough space.
Step 2. Fill a large bowl with 400g of honey cereal and 300g of stuffed cereal or puffed rice cookies
For now, set aside the remaining 100g of honey cereal.
Step 3. Pour the peanut butter and 175g of chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl
For now, set aside the remaining 90 g of chocolate chips.
Step 4. Heat the peanut butter and chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir
Continue cooking and stirring at 30-second intervals until the mixture is smooth, without lumps.
Step 5. Incorporate 100g of mini marshmallows into the mix
Set aside the remaining 75g for now.
Step 6. Pour the mixture over the grains and mix them with a spatula until they are evenly coated
Try to do a twisting motion, bringing the cereal from the bottom to the top of the bowl. This will help you distribute the chocolate mixture more evenly.
Step 7. Move the mix to an 8L airtight bag
If you don't have such a bag, use a large plastic container with a lid instead. Since you will need to mix the grains with powdered sugar, make sure you use a bowl that is large enough to allow you to mix them well.
Step 8. Add the icing sugar
The icing sugar will coat the grains and keep them from sticking.
Step 9. Close the bag and shake it until the grains are completely coated with powdered sugar
When closing the bag, be sure to leave some air in it. This way you can mix the cereals even better.
Step 10. Using a spatula, spread the cereals on the wax paper so that they can cool down
Try to create a layer that is as homogeneous and thin as possible. It will take about 10 to 15 minutes for them to cool.
Step 11. Transfer the cereal to a clean bowl and stir in the chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and cereal you saved
This way you can create s'mores-like treats.
Step 12. Serve the muddy buddies
If you have leftovers, put them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge.
Advice
- Add almond extract instead of vanilla for a slightly less sweet taste.
- Try different types of stuffed grains, such as whole, chocolate, or hazelnut. You can also combine various types.
- If you don't have an airtight plastic bag or container to stir the muddy buddies inside, pour some sugar into the bowl, then cover it tightly with cling film. Shake it until the grains are evenly coated.
- Play with different colored types of chocolate, such as pink or green.
- Once the muddy buddies have cooled, add some M & Ms or other chocolate dragees. You can also add pistachios or peanuts to make them more crunchy.
Warnings
- Some of these recipes contain peanuts. Think about if you have allergic guests if you want to serve sweets at a party.
- Make sure you use smooth peanut butter. The grainy one cannot be mixed as evenly.
