The first time I made Chocolate Mint Muddy Buddies, my whole kitchen smelled like the inside of a candy shop—cool peppermint, rich melted chocolate, and that warm toasted scent that rises from a big bowl of Chex cereal. I remember stirring everything together and thinking, “This tastes like winter and childhood and movie nights all at once.” When I shook the coated cereal in powdered sugar and watched each piece transform into snowy mint-chocolate magic, I knew this recipe was going to become a forever favorite in my snack rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it’s incredibly easy, wildly addictive, festive without requiring any baking, and bursting with that perfect mix of mint-chocolate nostalgia—plus, you get both crunchy coated cereal pieces and sweet mint candies in every handful.
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup green candy melts
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup chocolate mint candies (like mint M&Ms or Andes mint pieces)
I’ve tried different brands and combinations, and these ingredients consistently give the best flavor and texture. Rice Chex stays the crispest, though Corn Chex works fine too. Peppermint extract is far stronger than mint extract, so measure carefully—too much can overpower the chocolate entirely. Green candy melts give that fun color contrast while keeping everything smooth, but you can use white chocolate tinted with gel coloring if necessary. And the powdered sugar amount ensures proper coating without making the mix clumpy.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Microwave-safe bowls
- Spatula or spoon
- Gallon-size zip-top bags
- Baking sheet (optional)
A huge mixing bowl is essential because the cereal needs plenty of room to move without crushing. Zip-top bags make shaking and coating incredibly easy, though a lidded container works too. Microwave-safe bowls help melt everything fast without dirtying extra pans. If you want the mix to cool evenly, a baking sheet works great for spreading the pieces out—but you can also leave them in bowls if you’re short on space.
Step-by-Step Instructions
When I make Chocolate Mint Muddy Buddies, I start by measuring the cereal into the biggest bowl I own. It always feels like an enormous amount, but once the melted chocolate mixture coats the pieces, the volume makes perfect sense. I set the bowl aside and melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave. I always use 20-second bursts, stirring in between, because chocolate burns so easily—trust me, I’ve ruined a few batches by trying to rush it.
Once the chocolate is smooth and glossy, I stir in the peppermint extract. This is the moment when the aroma hits—cool, refreshing, and unmistakably minty. I pour the chocolate mixture over half the cereal and gently fold it in. The key is to move slowly so you don’t crush the squares. After that, I repeat the same process with the green candy melts on the remaining cereal, so I end up with two different colors and flavors of coated pieces.
Then comes the fun part: shaking everything in powdered sugar. I divide the coated cereal into gallon-size zip bags, add the powdered sugar, seal them tightly, and shake like crazy. Every time I do this, powdered sugar tries to sneak out, so I always double-check that the bag is fully zipped before shaking. I shake until the cereal looks evenly coated and no longer glossy. The transformation from glossy chocolate to powdered perfection always feels so satisfying.(See the next page below to continue…)