Description

Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow is a delightful sweet snack mix combining crunchy Chex cereal coated in a luscious cherry white chocolate mixture, dusted with cheesecake pudding and powdered sugar, and studded with tart dried cherries. This easy no-bake treat offers the flavors of cherry cheesecake in a crunchy, bite-sized form perfect for parties or snacking.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

9 cups Chex cereal (rice or corn variety)
1/2 cup cherry gelatin mix (like Jell-O)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 package (3.5 oz) instant cheesecake pudding mix
1 cup dried cherries, chopped

Wet Ingredients

1 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup unsalted butter

Instructions

Prepare the Cereal: Place the 9 cups of Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside to ensure it stays crisp for coating.
Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup white chocolate chips and 1/4 cup unsalted butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir gently. Continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
Mix in Gelatin: Add 1/2 cup cherry gelatin mix to the melted white chocolate mixture. Stir thoroughly until the gelatin is completely incorporated and the mixture has a uniform cherry color.
Coat the Cereal: Pour the cherry-chocolate mixture over the cereal. Gently fold the mixture with a spatula or spoon to evenly coat each piece without breaking the cereal.
Dust with Sugar Mixture: In a large zip-top bag, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 package (3.5 oz) instant cheesecake pudding mix. Add the coated cereal into the bag, seal it tightly, and shake vigorously until each piece is well covered with the powdered sugar and pudding mix blend.
Cool and Set: Spread the coated cereal onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature so the coating can set and firm up, approximately 15-20 minutes.
Add Cherries and Serve: Once cooled, transfer the coated cereal back into a bowl and gently stir in 1 cup chopped dried cherries. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for later enjoyment.

Notes

You can use either rice or corn Chex cereal as your base.
Ensure the chocolate mixture is not too hot when mixing with cereal to avoid sogginess.
Use sealed containers for storage to keep the puppy chow fresh and crunchy.
For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the melted chocolate mixture before coating.
If dried cherries are not available, dried cranberries or cherries can be good substitutes.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow, Puppy Chow, Snack Mix, White Chocolate Snack, Chex Mix Snack, No-Bake Snack, Dessert Snack Mix