Cocktail

Peppermint Bark Pet Chow (Muddy Buddies)

November 2, 2025
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Each time I make this Peppermint Bark Pet Chow, I can’t assist however smile. I really like how the crunchy cereal coated in creamy white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed sweet canes tastes identical to traditional bark, however in a enjoyable, snackable type. Sure, it’s referred to as “pet chow” as a result of it appears just a little like pet food, however don’t fear, it’s 100% for folks! Nice for gifting or serving with Christmas cookies.

Pink chunks of candy cane muddy buddies fill a red bowl, surrounded by holiday garland and a candy cane.Pink chunks of candy cane muddy buddies fill a red bowl, surrounded by holiday garland and a candy cane.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s a lot to like about this festive twist on the traditional Muddy Buddies recipe, or what some name sweet cane muddy buddies for its candy peppermint crunch.

  • No bake and fast: Prepared in minutes, it’s the the proper deal with for vacation events; no oven wanted!
  • Festive Mint taste: White chocolate and crushed sweet canes give that nostalgic peppermint flavoring from bark style.
  • Excellent for gifting: Appears to be like fairly in jars or deal with luggage with ribbons or bows for buddies, academics, or neighbors.
  • Household-friendly: Simple and enjoyable to make with children, plus a assured hit at a cookie trade.

Should you love vacation snack mixes, remember to try my Brownie Batter Pet Chow and Christmas Pet Chow subsequent. Every is a festive addition that can make your vacation season much more scrumptious.

Elements Notes

Candy Cane Muddy Buddies Chex Mix ingredients.Candy Cane Muddy Buddies Chex Mix ingredients.

Right here’s all the pieces it is advisable make this Peppermint Bark Pet Chow:

  • Rice Chex cereal: Gentle, sq. cereal that holds the chocolate coating completely.
  • Chopped sweet canes: Or strive peppermint bark items for an additional chocolatey crunch.
  • White chocolate: I used almond bark and in addition examined white chocolate wafers; each soften easily. Keep away from white chocolate chips, as they don’t soften evenly.

See the recipe card for full info on substances and portions.

Recipe Variations

  • Swap your cereal: I exploit Rice Chex, however you can too strive Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Chocolate Chex, combined Chex, and even Crispix. Every offers a barely totally different taste and texture. For a gluten-free possibility, skip Wheat Chex.
  • Taste increase: Stir in a drop of vanilla or peppermint extract to the melted chocolate. Choose peanut butter? Attempt my Butterfinger Pet Chow. For a vibrant, citrusy twist, try my Lemon Pet Chow subsequent.
  • Chocolate twist: Add crushed chocolate sweet canes or drizzle melted semi-sweet chocolate or darkish chocolate over the combination as soon as it’s cooled.
  • Crunchy combine: Toss in mini pretzels, chopped peppermint bark, or peanuts for additional texture.
  • Festive colour: Sprinkle purple and inexperienced M&Ms or sweet bits earlier than the chocolate units.
  • Optionally available mix-ins: Mini pretzels, purple and inexperienced sprinkles or M&Ms make this snack much more enjoyable and colourful.

A white bowl holds pink candy cane muddy buddies Chex mix, with a hand grabbing a crunchy piece.A white bowl holds pink candy cane muddy buddies Chex mix, with a hand grabbing a crunchy piece.

Methods to Make Peppermint Bark Pet Chow

  1. Put together substances: Place Chex cereal in a big bowl. Crush sweet canes in a meals processor till finely crushed, leaving a number of small chunks for texture.
  2. Soften chocolate: Add almond bark or white chocolate wafers to a microwave-safe bowl and warmth in 20-second intervals, stirring between every, till easy and absolutely melted.
  3. Mix: Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and gently toss with two giant spoons till all items are evenly coated.
    mix chex mix and almond bark. mix chex mix and almond bark.
  4. Add peppermint: Sprinkle the crushed sweet canes over the coated cereal and toss once more to mix.
    toss with the crushed candy canes. toss with the crushed candy canes.
  5. Set: Unfold the combination evenly on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and let it cool utterly till agency.
    spred the muddy buddies in baking sheet. spred the muddy buddies in baking sheet.
  6. Break and serve: As soon as set, break into bite-sized clusters and retailer in an hermetic container.

Peppermint Bark Muddy Buddies Suggestions

  • Soften chocolate slowly: Microwave briefly 20-second intervals, stirring typically for a smoother soften and to stop burning or seizing.
  • Crush sweet canes fastidiously: Intention for a mixture of positive crumbs and some bigger items for added crunch.
  • Work shortly: As soon as the chocolate is melted, toss and coat the cereal earlier than it units.
  • Use mild motions: Fold with two giant spoons to coat evenly with out breaking the cereal.
  • Cool utterly: Let the combination harden absolutely earlier than storing so it doesn’t clump collectively. I wish to let it set for 20-Half-hour on the baking sheet. If you wish to velocity issues up, pop it within the fridge for about 10 minutes.

A clear glass jar holds pink candy cane muddy buddies Chex mix, spilling out onto a white table.A clear glass jar holds pink candy cane muddy buddies Chex mix, spilling out onto a white table.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Why did my chocolate seize or get grainy?

This often occurs if water or steam will get into the melted chocolate or if it’s overheated. The trick is to make use of dry utensils and soften the chocolate briefly intervals. If it does seize, you may rescue it by stirring in a small spoonful of melted coconut oil or shortening till easy.

Methods to crush sweet canes safely?

Place sweet canes in a heavy-duty ziplock bag, then crush them with a rolling pin or meat mallet. Lay a towel beneath to guard your counter. You may as well pulse them in a meals processor till finely crushed, leaving a number of bigger items for texture, simply keep away from turning them into powder.

Can I double or triple the recipe?

Sure! This recipe scales simply. Use a big bowl or divide the combination into two bowls to make sure every bit will get evenly coated. It’s good for making huge batches for vacation events or gift-giving.

Make Forward & Storage Directions

  • Retailer: Maintain in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as one week. You may retailer within the fridge for as much as two weeks if wanted.
  • Make forward: Put together this recipe as much as three days prematurely. Retailer in a sealable container at room temperature till able to serve or reward.
  • Freeze: Place in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag and freeze for as much as three months. Thaw at room temperature earlier than serving.
Pink candy cane muddy buddies Chex mix fills a green box, with a red Merry Christmas gift box nearby.Pink candy cane muddy buddies Chex mix fills a green box, with a red Merry Christmas gift box nearby.

Extra Pet Chow Recipes to Attempt

Should you love this Peppermint Pet Chow, you’ll additionally take pleasure in these reader-favorite snack combine recipes:

Should you’ve tried this Peppermint Bark Pet Chow Recipe or some other recipe on my web site, please go away a star ranking and let me know the way it turned out within the feedback beneath.


  • Add 7 cups of Rice Chex cereal to a big mixing bowl and put aside.

    7 cups rice Chex cereal

  • Place the sweet canes in a meals processor and pulse till they’re finely crushed into small items. Put aside.

    1¾ cups chopped sweet canes

  • Add the chocolate bark to a microwave-safe bowl. Soften within the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring properly between every, till easy and absolutely melted.

    2 cups melted white chocolate

  • Pour the melted chocolate over the Chex cereal. Utilizing two giant spoons, gently toss to coat evenly, identical to you’ll toss a salad.

  • Sprinkle the crushed sweet canes over the coated cereal and stir till evenly coated.

  • Unfold the combination evenly onto a baking sheet and let the chocolate set utterly.

  • As soon as set, break into items if wanted and retailer in an hermetic container.

Storage:

  • Retailer: Maintain in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as one week. You may refrigerate for as much as two weeks if wanted.
  • Make forward: This recipe might be ready as much as three days prematurely. Retailer in a sealed container at room temperature till able to serve or reward.
  • Freeze: Place in a freezer secure container or resealable bag and freeze for as much as three months. Thaw at room temperature earlier than serving.

Suggestions: 

  • Warmth the chocolate briefly 20 second intervals, stirring typically to stop burning or seizing.
  • Crush sweet canes fastidiously. Intention for small items with a mixture of positive crumbs and some bigger bits for crunch.
  • As soon as the chocolate is melted, transfer quick to toss and coat earlier than it units.
  • Use mild motions. Fold with two giant spoons to coat evenly with out crushing the cereal.
  • Let the combination harden absolutely earlier than storing so it doesn’t clump collectively. I wish to let it set for 20-Half-hour – if you’re in a rush pop the tray within the fridge for about 10 minutes to hurry issues up.

Energy: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 7g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fats: 2g | Ldl cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 298IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 5mg

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