The first time I made Brownie Batter Puppy Chow—also known as Brownie Batter Muddy Buddies—my kitchen instantly filled with the warm, chocolatey smell of brownies baking, even though nothing was actually in the oven. As I stirred together the melted chocolate and peanut butter, I started feeling that familiar excitement I get whenever I know a recipe is going to turn into something dangerously irresistible. The moment I coated the cereal pieces in the brownie mix and shook the bag, I could already imagine how addictive each crunchy, chocolate-dusted bite was going to be. It’s one of those snacks that feels nostalgic, joyful, and almost too easy to eat by the handful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it tastes like the best parts of brownie batter, chocolate candy, and crunchy snack mix all rolled into one unbelievably quick treat—and I say that as someone who keeps “accidentally” eating half the batch every time I make it.
Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups brownie mix (dry from the box)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups mini pretzels (optional, for serving or mixing in)
I’ve experimented with amounts so many times, and this ratio gives the cereal perfect coverage without becoming soggy. Using dark chocolate chips keeps the sweetness from becoming overwhelming, but semisweet works great too. The brownie mix must be DRY from the box—don’t prepare it—because it becomes the most incredible powdery coating. And if you don’t love peanut butter, almond butter or cookie butter both work beautifully, though they create slightly different flavors and textures.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Spatula
- Large zip-top bags
- Baking sheet (optional for cooling)
- Measuring cups
A large mixing bowl is essential because the cereal needs space to move around without breaking too much—I’ve used smaller bowls and ended up with crumbly pieces. The zip-top bags make shaking so much easier and more even, but if you don’t have any, you can use a large container with a lid. The baking sheet is optional, but I swear it helps cool the mix evenly and prevents clumping, especially on humid days.
Step-by-Step Instructions
When I start making Brownie Batter Muddy Buddies, I measure my cereal first and pour it into the biggest mixing bowl I own. This step saves time later, because once the chocolate mixture is melted, you have to work fairly quickly. In a microwave-safe bowl, I combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter. I microwave in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each burst so the chocolate doesn’t scorch. The moment the mixture becomes glossy and smooth, it smells exactly like warm brownie batter—rich, cozy, and impossible to resist tasting.
As soon as the chocolate is melted, I pour it directly over the cereal. This is always the moment where I feel like a kid making my favorite after-school snack again. The trick is to fold gently—not stir aggressively—so you don’t crush the pieces. I scrape the bowl well so every drop of chocolate gets used. Once the cereal is fully coated, I let it sit for a minute to slightly cool; this keeps the coating from soaking in too much and getting soggy.
Next comes my favorite part: the shake. I scoop the chocolate-coated cereal into a couple of large zip-top bags, making sure not to overfill them so the cereal has room to bounce around. I add the dry brownie mix and powdered sugar. The first shake always puffs a chocolate cloud into the air—so keep it sealed tightly before getting enthusiastic. As I shake, the cereal turns into these beautiful, powder-coated squares that smell like fresh brownies with a hint of candy-shop sweetness.(See the next page below to continue…)