If you're looking for a cute snack for the kids on Valentine's Day you can't go wrong with this pretty pink and red Chex mix! Best of all? No peanut butter so it's great for people with peanut allergies.
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
Table of Contents
🗝️ Key takeaways
- The perfect Valentine's Day treat and an awesome edible gift idea plus, since it doesn't have peanut butter it's fine to send to school for class parties.
- Great recipe is more unique than classic puppy chow; so pretty for Valentine's Day!
- You can make this simple recipe gluten-free by using a GF red velvet cake mix and any Chex cereal variety except wheat Chex. I prefer Rice Chex cereal for this.
A festive, Valentine's Day twist on muddy buddies, red velvet puppy chow is always a huge hit. With simple ingredients, it's easy to make (a win for you!) and it's such a satisfying, crunchy snack (a win for everyone who gets to eat it!)
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions for this Valentine's Day puppy chow recipe in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
There are plenty of ways you can adapt this easy recipe to make a personalized, delicious treat.
- Use semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, instead of chocolate bar pieces. Be aware that I've noticed they don't melt quite as easily.
- Feel free to stir in whichever type of cereal pieces you prefer. Traditional puppy chow uses half corn Chex and half rice Chex.
- You can add a teaspoon or so of vanilla extract to the cream before stirring it into the chocolate. It's not necessary, but is a yummy touch!
- Like a bit of salt with your sweets? Add mini pretzels or salty peanuts.
- Try adding dried fruit (like craisins!) to your sweet snack mix.
- Use a red and green M&M or sprinkle mixture during the holiday season. We call this "reindeer chow," and it's great at Christmas parties.
- You can make this puppy chow recipe gluten-free by using a GF red velvet cake mix and any Chex cereal variety except wheat Chex.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a large bowl.
- Melt the chocolate in 30-second increments, then stir in the cream.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal and combine.
- In a Ziplock bag, shake together the cereal mixture, cake mix, and powdered sugar. Let dry on wax paper, then toss with candy and serve.
🥫 How to store leftovers
Store red velvet puppy chow at room temperature in a large airtight container, or separate it into plastic gift bags. As long as the container or bag seals for storage, the great treat will keep for 1-2 weeks.
I like to keep it out on the counter in a clear glass apothecary jar because it's just so pretty!
For best results, keep the snack out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources. White chocolate puppy chow can get sticky and melty if it's too warm!
It doesn't freeze well, y'all. Be sure to eat it all!
Expert Tip:
Try to use a light hand when stirring the chocolate and Chex mixture together—too tough and you'll smash the cereal into bits!
💭 Things to know
- Melted chocolate burns quickly, especially on the bottom. So be sure to stir in between each of the 30-second intervals, scraping all around the microwave-safe bowl with a spatula.
- Don't like to use the microwave? You can melt the chocolate in a double-boiler, instead. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn.
- If you don't have any wax paper, you can line your cookie sheet with parchment paper—the smooth side facing up, of course!
- Forgot to pick up some large Ziplock bags? That's okay. You can shake up the puppy chow in a big Tupperware container or even a large
mixing bowl covered tightly with plastic wrap. - Let the coated cereal pieces dry fully before mixing them in with the candy. This way, the M&Ms and sprinkles in your Valentine's Puppy Chow stay colorful and bright.
👩🍳 FAQs
The cake mix is considered a raw product and bacteria can still reside in it—although, that's very rare. Baking the cake mix ensures that any potential bacteria is killed before someone eats it.
Some people think this yummy twist on the popular Chex mix resembles puppy kibble.
You didn't let it cool long enough after it was coated. Be sure to let it cool all the way—about an hour.
Nope, it's omitted on purpose! Regular homemade puppy chow does use a chocolate/peanut butter mixture, but red velvet puppy chow just doesn't need it. It's the perfect snack as is, a real crowd-pleaser, and allergy-friendly, too.
Exactly the same. Muddy Buddies is another name for Puppy Chow or Chex Mix. This is sometimes called 'Cupid Chow'.
📚 Related recipes
- Sweet and salty Valentine's Day Popcorn is a fun, no-bake snack mix, perfect for school holiday parties and family movie nights.
- Featuring drool-worthy Nutella and crispy Golden Grahams cereal, S'mores Puppy Chow is a fun treat that changes up the classic recipe!
- These No-Spread Red Velvet Cookies make the perfect Valentine's day snack for all of your family and loved ones—plus, they're SO yummy!
📞 The last word
Since there's no peanut butter in this pretty Valentine's Day snack it's perfect for sending to your kiddo's school Valentine's Day party or your teen's weekend sleepover.
Sometimes I add white chocolate mini chips to the mix, too.
I love white chocolate and it adds a great pop of flavor to this red velvet puppy chow recipe.
Love red velvet as much as we do? Check out this collection of red velvet recipes.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Red Velvet Puppy Chow
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 15.25 ounces red velvet cake mix
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 12 ounces white chocolate
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream, room temperature
- 12 ounces Chex cereal
- 10 ounces Valentine M&M’s
- ⅛ Cup Valentine colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Spread the red velvet cake mix over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the oven for 5-8 minutes (until you start to smell the sweetness baking).
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- Add the cake mix and powdered sugar to a resealable bag (ziplok bag) and shake to mix well. Put to one side.
- In a bowl, break up the chocolate then heat in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Stir in the cream.
- Add the Chex cereal to another large mixing bowl and pour the chocolate over the top.
- Carefully stir the cereal together with the chocolate until evenly coated then, working in batches, add the chocolate covered cereal to the bag with the cake mix and sugar and shake until fully coated.
- Remove the cereal pieces onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Repeat with the remaining cereal, then allow the pieces to dry for about an hour.
- Mix with the M&Ms and sprinkles and place in a bowl to serve.
Notes
- Don't like to use the microwave? You can melt the chocolate in a double-boiler, instead. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn.
- Let the coated cereal pieces dry fully before mixing them in with the candy. This way, the M&Ms and sprinkles stay colorful and bright.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First posted January 28, 2023. Last updated January 29, 2024 for editorial improvements.
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