Candy/ Dessert/ Recipes

Mexican Hot Chocolate Puppy Chow

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Happy Friday!

I was feeling a little naughty yesterday so I whipped up this big batch of puppy chow. You know the stuff — the chocolate peanut butter cereal mixture we all used to make in our dorm microwaves freshman year of college?! Come on. Well, I hadn’t had it in ages but was seriously craving something sweet to munch on in the afternoon. I had totally forgotten how addicting this stuff can be! This version uses a pinch of cinnamon, cayenne and sea salt to give you a little heat with your sweet.

I mean, how can you go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter? Add powdered sugar and cereal and you’ve basically covered all the food groups. I feel almost embarrassed posting this recipe because it’s so simple but I couldn’t not share the love.

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And, just like college, you don’t need a stove to make this deliciousness. Just a microwave will do! Simply melt your chocolate, stir in the peanut butter and spices then pour over your cereal. Drench in powdered sugar and you’re set.

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I send a big batch of this with Adam to work today, mainly because if it wasn’t out of the house in .0912 seconds I was about to eat every last piece on my own. Everything in moderation, friends….everything in moderation. Or at least that’s what they tell me.

Hope y’all are up to fun things this weekend!

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Mexican Hot Chocolate Puppy Chow

makes about 4 cups

Print this Recipe!

Ingredients:

4 cups Chex cereal

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/2 tsp cinnamon

small pinch of cayenne

small pinch of sea salt

1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

In a large microwavable safe container, melt the chocolate chips in increments of 30 seconds until completely smooth. Stir in the peanut butter and the cinnamon, cayenne and sea salt and mix until well blended and smooth.

Pour mixture over the cereal and toss well to coat. Place puppy chow in a large ziploc bag and add the powdered sugar. Seal tight and shake the bag to coat completely.

Will keep in a covered container for up to 6 days.

Time:

5 minutes

 

 

 

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  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    September 6, 2013 at 3:21 am

    Im a huge fan of puppy chow and I’ve trashed it up with everything from broiled buttery waffles to sprinkles to Nutella and white chocolate but never have I thought to add some HEAT! I bet this is soooo addictively fabulous. Pinned!

  • Danielle
    September 6, 2013 at 4:01 am

    This is amazing! I’ve forgotten all about puppy chow 🙂 will be making this as soon as my friend brings me real American peanut butter. It’ll be the perfect homesick (and not homesick) treat! 😉

  • Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs
    September 6, 2013 at 4:12 am

    I feel slightly embarassed to admit this, but I’ve never had puppy chow before…
    Perhaps I’ll change that this weekend! Have a good one! 🙂

  • Jenn from Much to My Delight
    September 6, 2013 at 4:17 am

    What a clever addition! I just started the whole 30 yesterday and will look longingly at this recipe on my pin board until I can indulge in this in 28 days.

  • Madison
    September 6, 2013 at 4:21 am

    I love this version of puppy chow–bring on the heat!

  • Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
    September 6, 2013 at 4:48 am

    The last time I made the original version of this was a couple of years ago. I made a large batch and then bagged it up and presented it in travel coffee mugs (bought in bulk at Costco!) to my co-workers for Christmas. I needed 11 gifts so I had to get crafty! They loved it and several had never had Puppy Chow before. I totally made their day! 😉

    I love the addition of heat. Can’t wait to try this!

  • jan
    September 6, 2013 at 4:50 am

    Puppy chow is one of my favorite treats, but I haven’t tried it w/ the spicy twist! Yum!

  • Molly@RDexposed
    September 6, 2013 at 5:03 am

    Say whaaaat??! Great version!

  • Lauren @ The Highlands Life
    September 6, 2013 at 5:04 am

    I haven’t had puppy chow in ages! I’m so going to make this to take to our monthly game night with friends!!

  • Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
    September 6, 2013 at 5:11 am

    This sounds so good! Love this idea!!

  • Tieghan
    September 6, 2013 at 5:40 am

    Oh yum!! I am down with anything hot chocolate and puppy chow and mexican! Winner!

  • Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
    September 6, 2013 at 6:07 am

    I love puppy chow! It reminds me of college because we loved to make it over winter training!

  • Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite
    September 6, 2013 at 6:42 am

    I must have missed the memo because I never once made this in college! I love puppy chow, though! And spicy—so sign me up

  • Colleen
    September 6, 2013 at 6:49 am

    Wow, I’ve never even heard of this, much less in college, but might be a good project for my kids…

  • Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
    September 6, 2013 at 6:54 am

    I’ve never made puppy chow but apparently it’s really easy. I like that you made them spicy too. I’m sure Adams coworkers will enjoy it. Happy Friday!

  • Sarah (Shh...Fit Happens)
    September 6, 2013 at 7:22 am

    I actually have a bunch of hot peppers from the garden I need to use…do you ever mix them in with the chocolate and PB or would that be too hot, you think?

  • Kristin @ W [H] A T C H
    September 6, 2013 at 7:43 am

    I haven’t had puppy chow in ages — great idea to add cayenne!

  • dixya| food, pleasure, and health
    September 6, 2013 at 8:19 am

    puppy chow wont last with me for very long either

  • Bryony @ Friday Night Dinners -- PDX
    September 6, 2013 at 8:45 am

    I’ve never had puppy chow before, but the spices added to this sound great! Sounds like the perfect snack to make for girls night!

  • Caroline L.
    September 6, 2013 at 8:46 am

    Cayenne – a creative addition, but I can definitely see how it can make this classic concoction even more delicious! 🙂 Happy Weekend, Jenna!

  • Joanna @ the knit lit twit
    September 6, 2013 at 9:16 am

    I love puppy chow! The only reason I don’t make it more often is exactly the problem you had: I would be way to tempted to eat it all before I was able to take it into work!

  • Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
    September 6, 2013 at 10:02 am

    My dad used to make me Mexican hot chocolate. It was such a treat! I’m definitely going to have to try this recipe. I love the flavors of the cinnamon and cayenne.

  • Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
    September 6, 2013 at 10:39 am

    Love the idea of adding some heat. I wish I would have thought to make this when I was in college 🙂

  • erin @hooleywithaz
    September 6, 2013 at 11:46 am

    i can’t make puppy chow if i don’t have a large group function to go to because i can’t stop eating it. so next football party we go to…maybe i can attempt it.

  • Megan
    September 6, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    I had the same craving a few weeks back, I LOVE that stuff! Definitely addicting though, Yikes!

  • Allie @ The Nutritional Epiphany
    September 6, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    Ahhhhh this brings me back! LOVE puppy chow… so so much. I am sure we all ate way too much of it as children. This is a fun, sophisticated snack idea for football season finally arriving!

  • Marissa@ohhhsolovely
    September 6, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    this is a great recipe to make for football parties. what an appropriate time for this!

  • Linda
    September 6, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    Jenna – long time follower. FYI – tonight is a Jenna inspired dinner!
    My husbands brother and wife are visiting from Michigan for the weekend. Ttonights menu is – Grilled Peach salsa, Crock Pot Beef Carnitas Tacos, Blackberry Margaritas, and No bake Chocolate Kahlua Pie and for breakfast tomorrow morning Late Summer Zucchini Muffins with fruit and yogurt!
    My Jenna meal! No searching for recipes needed – everything you need are right here!

  • Kristin
    September 6, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    I like to say “Everything in moderation. Even moderation.” 🙂

  • Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
    September 6, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    I love this spiced up version!

  • Drama
    September 6, 2013 at 11:31 pm

    Very interesting recipe!
    http://aboutdrama.blogspot.ru/

  • Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
    September 6, 2013 at 11:51 pm

    Um, hello deliciousness! I need this in my life asap and am obsessing over the pinch of cayenne you threw in.

  • Andrea
    September 7, 2013 at 6:15 am

    Puppy chow is DANGEROUS for me!! But this is brilliant! Love it!

  • Emily @ Life on Food
    September 8, 2013 at 8:12 am

    Must get Chex mix now!

  • Michelle @ Running More Than Errands
    September 8, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Sadly I have never had puppy chow before. Perhaps it’s time I try it… 🙂

  • Sarah
    September 8, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    I have literally never seen or tried this stuff before in my life but it looks INCREDIBLE!! Where has this recipe been my whole life?!

  • Laurie {Simply Scratch}
    September 9, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    mmmm love anything with Mexican hot chocolate in the title!

  • Traci
    September 10, 2013 at 8:36 am

    Just made this last night for my brother in law who spent some time in Mexico and now wants every dessert to be covered in something with chili’s. Thank you, he loved it and said it was amazing!