Salted Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow

Author Notes

If dark chocolate isn't your thing, feel free to substitute semisweet or milk chocolate chips. I used Justin's Classic Peanut Butter in this recipe, but you could use any nut butter you prefer. —Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm

Test Kitchen Notes

Sometimes there's nothing easier or more fun to make, especially with kids, as puppy chow. This recipe definitely serves a crowd, and there are no fancy ingredients or equipment to make it. You do need a lot of Chex or Crispix cereal (about 9 cups), but you probably already have whatever else you need hanging out in your pantry or refrigerator, like chocolate chips, peanut butter, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, a little salt, and some powdered sugar. You don't need to turn the oven on either; as the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter are melted together in the microwave. If you don't want to use your microwave or don't have one, simply warm everything in a small pot on the stove. And if you don't want to use a plastic bag, just dust the puppy chow with the powdered sugar while n the bowl and then toss carefully to combine. Saves you an extra step and a bag!

You'll find yourself craving puppy chow as a sweet, nutty snack for Christmas and beyond. The recipe is super-flexible, as you can add any snacks, nuts, or dried fruit you'd like. Try with pretzels, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, raisins, whatever you've got on hand. Definitely experiment with the ratios and ingredients so you come up with your favorite version of puppy chow. You can also keep a batch in the refrigerator for up to a week, so you can reach for a handful whenever the mood for puppy chow strikes (and when doesn't it?). —The Editors