Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow

Peppermint bark puppy chow brings together crunchy rice cereal, peppermint white chocolate, and a snowy powdered sugar coating. A milk chocolate drizzle and crushed candy canes finish this sweet snack for your Christmas table. The recipe makes 12 servings and takes 15 minutes to prepare, followed by 30 minutes to set.

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Ingredients for peppermint bark puppy chow

Keep the coating ingredients separate from the finishing ingredients as you gather everything. The white chocolate and peppermint extract coat the cereal first; the milk chocolate, candy canes, and optional mini chips go on after the powdered sugar.

• 9 cups rice cereal squares
• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, optional

Have the bag ready before you melt

The most useful preparation happens before the white chocolate touches the cereal. Put the cereal in a very large bowl, line your baking sheet with parchment, and have the large zip top bag and measured powdered sugar ready. Once the cereal is coated, you need to move straight to shaking it.

The recipe’s key tip is about that timing: powdered sugar sticks while the white chocolate is still wet. If you leave the coated cereal sitting in the bowl, the chocolate can begin to set before you add the sugar. Finish the folding, then transfer the cereal to the bag without a pause.

Stir the chocolate and fold the cereal gently

Microwave the white chocolate in 20 second bursts, stirring after each burst until smooth. Stirring gives you a chance to check its texture throughout the melting process. Add the peppermint extract once the white chocolate is smooth, so you can mix it through before pouring the coating over the cereal.

Use a gentle folding motion when coating the squares. Bring cereal from the bottom of the bowl up through the white chocolate, then continue around the bowl. Look for pieces that still have bare surfaces and guide them through the coating. Gentle handling helps preserve the cereal squares that give the finished snack its crunch.

Coat, shake, and finish the cereal

• Put the 9 cups rice cereal squares in a very large bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment so it is ready for the coated cereal.
• Microwave the 2 cups white chocolate chips in 20 second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth. Stir in the 1/2 tsp peppermint extract.
• Pour the peppermint white chocolate over the cereal. Fold gently until every piece is coated, working through the cereal at the bottom as well as the top.
• Tip the cereal into a large zip top bag with the 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar while the coating is still wet. Seal the bag and shake until the cereal is white all over.
• Spread the cereal on the parchment. Drizzle with the melted 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, then scatter over the 1/2 cup crushed candy canes and the optional 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. Let set for 30 minutes.

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Let the drizzle set before serving

Spreading the cereal on parchment gives you access to the surface for the finishing drizzle. Distribute the melted milk chocolate across the spread cereal, then scatter the crushed candy canes and optional mini chips over it. You should still see the white powdered sugar coating between the chocolate lines and candy pieces.

Allow the full 30 minutes for setting before transferring the puppy chow to a serving bowl. This recipe makes a large bowl for the Christmas table, with 12 servings to share. When serving, scoop from different areas so the candy cane pieces and chocolate-topped cereal are distributed through the bowl.

For more Christmas sweets, try our peppermint chocolate bark , add Christmas Rolo pretzel bites to the snack table, or serve a plate of chocolate crinkle reindeer cookies .

Peppermint coating questions

Does this recipe contain peanut butter?

No. The coating uses white chocolate chips and peppermint extract, followed by powdered sugar. Peanut butter is absent from this ingredient list, so follow the peppermint white chocolate method given here.

Are the mini chocolate chips required?

The 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips is optional. If you leave them out, finish the cereal with the milk chocolate drizzle and crushed candy canes as directed. Those finishing ingredients remain part of the recipe.

Why does my cereal have bare patches?

Check the coating stage before transferring the cereal to the bag. Every piece should have white chocolate on it, including cereal at the bottom of the bowl. The powdered sugar also needs to meet the coating while it is wet, as the recipe tip specifies.

Do the candy canes go into the shaking bag?

No. Shake the white chocolate-coated cereal with the powdered sugar first. The crushed candy canes are scattered over the cereal after you spread it on parchment and add the melted milk chocolate drizzle.

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Written and edited by The Foodie Yummy Kitchen Team

The Foodie Yummy Kitchen Team writes and edits the recipes on Foodie Yummy: classic American potluck salads, holiday sides and easy comfort food, with a few low-carb options. Every recipe lists exact quantities, numbered steps and a printable recipe card, plus notes on swaps, storage and make-ahead timing. Spot a problem with a recipe? Tell us through the contact page and we will correct it. About us