Puppy Chow Bars Recipe
Puppy Chow Bars are a delicious no-bake treat combining crispy Rice Chex cereal with a rich blend of melted chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and melted mini marshmallows. These bars are easy to make, perfect for snacking, parties, or dessert, and are finished with a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (microwaving and melting time)
- Total Time: 25 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 16 bars (depending on cutting size) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 7 cups Rice Chex cereal (start with 5 cups and check consistency)
- ¼ cup (31 g) confectioners’ sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (258 g) creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter (can use salted)
- 1 bag (10 ounces) mini marshmallows
- Prepare the Cereal: In a large mixing bowl, add the Rice Chex cereal and set aside to be coated later.
- Melt the Chocolate Mixture: In a separate medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
- Add and Melt Marshmallows: Add the mini marshmallows to the melted chocolate mixture and stir well to coat. Return the bowl to the microwave, heating again in 30-second intervals while stirring until the marshmallows puff and melt into a thick, creamy mixture.
- Combine with Cereal: Pour the warm marshmallow mixture over the Rice Chex cereal. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece of cereal is generously coated with the chocolate-marshmallow mixture.
- Press into Pan: Transfer the coated cereal mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Press it firmly and evenly into the pan using a spatula or your hands to create a compact, uniform layer.
- Chill and Set: Place the baking pan in the refrigerator and chill for 10-15 minutes to allow the bars to set properly.
- Add Finishing Touch: Once chilled and firm, lightly dust the top of the bars with confectioners’ sugar. Cut into squares and serve immediately or store for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Start with 5 cups of Rice Chex and add more if the coating mixture is very thin to ensure bars hold together.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars set tightly and avoid crumbling.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and consistency.
- These bars can be customized by adding nuts or mini chocolate chips if desired.
- If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the amount of confectioners’ sugar topping or omit it.
Keywords: Puppy Chow Bars, no-bake dessert, Rice Chex, peanut butter bars, chocolate marshmallow bars, easy dessert recipe, snack bars