Christmas Candy – Puppy Chow

***UPDATE: See this post about our new eating habits. (7/10/11)

I was in Sam’s yesterday and I saw a bag of this. It’s called Chex Muddy Buddy. Now, we’ve always called it Puppy Chow. Why? Well, because it looks like dog food. But let me tell ya, it does NOT taste like dog food. It tastes like manna from heaven. This is one of those foods that I try not to make, because I end up eating so much that I wish I could get my stomach pumped. You don’t need to run to Sam’s to buy it. You can make your own and it is SO easy. You don’t even have to turn on the oven. I had you at “easy” didn’t I? But, I am warning you. Make this at your own risk. If you cannot say no to the chocolate/peanut butter combination, then you need to stop reading this right now and go look on eBay. Thank you.

I always keep Chex in the house. Now, it’s not always name brand……but who cares. I buy what’s cheap. It’s a disease. Anyway, you need Chex, semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Can you tell we’re about to have some fun here? Even if all you did was throw it all in a bowl and eat it with a spoon, it would be delicious. If that’s what you need or want to do, then I am not here to judge you.

Measure the cereal into a big bowl. You need a pretty good sized one because we’re going to be doing a lot of stirring. Exercise, right? Yippeee! That means you can eat an extra cup of this. You’re welcome.

Get a microwave safe bowl or measuring up. Measure the peanut butter, butter, and chocolate chips. Stick them in the microwave for one minute and then stir. It’s still going to be lumpy, so microwave it for 30 more seconds. Stir again……didn’t I already mention we’d be stirring a lot? You might have to microwave it some more until you can get it smooth.  It’s ok to taste it. You have to make sure it’s good.

When it’s smooth, add the vanilla and give it a good stir. Stirring again!

Pour the chocolate mixture over your cereal. Don’t dump it all in one place, sorta spread it out. Now, STIR BABY! Woo! Burn those calories! Make sure all the cereal is well coated.

Get a gallon Ziploc bag and put in half the mixture. I only do half because I want to make sure it’s all evenly coated with sugar. I don’t want to leave a piece out. That would be the opposite of a Christmas miracle. It’s going to be messy. You’re going to get it on the counter and on yourself. No big deal. It washes or licks off easily.

Let’s dump in some powdered sugar. Usually my kitchen is covered in a fine layer of confectioner’s sugar. I use it a lot. I like to imagine it’s snow and go on with my day.

Shake, baby, shake! Man, this recipe really is a workout. Who needs Richard Simmons? Oh, and make sure the bag is closed. If it isn’t, you’ll have a huge mess. But don’t worry, it washes and licks up easily. Shake until you think the sugar is evenly distributed.

Grab a sheet pan and cover it with wax paper or cereal bags. Pour out the coated mixture onto the pan. It will help it cool. Now, finish the rest of the cereal in the same bag with more sugar.  Let it stand until cool.

Ta da! It’s so easy……and addictive. Really, it’s bad. This is a terrible recipe. Don’t make it. I’m not even sure why I keep making it. I’m going to give this batch away. Really, I am. I am……I AM. It’s Christmas, I need to share.