Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow Recipe
Posted Jan 18, 2018, Updated Oct 10, 2021
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Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow is the the best easy dessert recipe to feed a crowd! This version is loaded with chocolate & peanut butter, and tossed in a mixture of cocoa powder & powdered sugar to cut down on the sweetness and give it an even richer chocolate taste.
This week marks two years since I began blogging. I am so grateful for where this journey has brought me, and I cannot wait to see where it leads! So, what better way to celebrate two years together than with chocolate and peanut butter?
This Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow recipe is one of my all-time favorite treats, and is the dessert that is impossible for me to stop eating. Seriously, once I start, the bowl has to be physically removed from my sight in order for me to call it quits.
This recipe is different than our favorite classic Puppy Chow because it’s tossed in a mixture of both cocoa powder & powdered sugar. This cuts down on the sweetness and gives it an even richer chocolate taste. This treat is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, so it’s great to make for a crowd.
How to Make Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow
I know what you might be thinking, “how hard can it be to coat cereal in chocolate and peanut butter then toss it with some powdered sugar?!” Well, you’re right on one account, it’s totally not hard at all. However, I believe that following the method laid out in this recipe takes this classic treat from “good” to “WOW.” The two main things to note are…
- The ratio is key. I know I’m not the only one who, when it comes to puppy chow, lives for the clumps. I’m talking hunks of cereal stuck together with loads of peanut butter and chocolate. The key to ensuring this kind of hunky clumpiness is being super careful about the amount of cereal you use. You want to ensure that every, single piece is thickly coated in the chocolate and peanut butter mixture.
- Chill. Chilling is a crucial step to creating the Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow of your dreams. After coating the cereal with the chocolate/peanut butter mixture, toss it in the refrigerator and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes until it has reached room temperature or just below it. Getting it cold {but not so hard that it can’t be stirred} will mean that the powdered sugar/cocoa powder mixture won’t just absorb into the warm chocolate, so you will be able to use less and still achieve a nice coating!
Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow: Substitutions
This recipe is made with only 5 ingredients, and it’s absolute perfection in dessert form, so I do not recommend making any substitutions. However, as always, I will list a few possibilities.
- Peanut Butter. Any nut or seed butter can be used in place of peanut butter.
- Chocolate Chips. I recommend semi-sweet or bittersweet chips. My favorite are 60% cocoa or higher. However you can use your favorite variety!
- Powdered sugar. You could use this recipe for Paleo Powdered Sugar to make your own!
Store/freeze
Store this puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly in the fridge or on the counter – do not microwave.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can easily double the ingredients to make a large batch.
This recipe freezes very well in an airtight container.
Use any nut or seed butter such as sunflower seed butter, almond butter, etc.
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Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 1 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 cups Rice Chex Cereal
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Set aside.
- Melt peanut butter and chocolate together. On the stovetop stir over low heat or a double boiler until mixture is smooth. In the microwave; warm on high for 60 seconds and stir. Then warm for increments of 30 seconds, stirring after each, until mixture is melted and homogenous.
- Add 3 cups of cereal to a large bowl. Pour 1 cup of the chocolate/peanut butter mixture over the cereal.
- Add 3 more cups of cereal to the bowl and then pour the rest of the chocolate/peanut butter mixture on top.
- Stir until the cereal is evenly coated. If there are pools of chocolate/peanut butter at the bottom of your bowl, add more cereal 1/4 cup at a time until all that deliciousness is coating your cereal. Remember we WANT clumps, so do NOT add too much cereal!
- Let the mixture cool slightly (Put the bowl in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes or outside on the porch on a cold day). Be sure to check it, as you do not want it to harden completely!
- Once your mixture is at or slightly below room temperature, add 1 cup of the powdered sugar/cocoa powder mixture. Mix until combined.
- Let cool for about 15 minutes.
- Add more powdered sugar/cocoa powder 1/4 cup at a time until your cereal is coated to your satisfaction. Let it sit at room temperature to harden before serving (or toss it in the refrigerator to speed up the process)!
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Video
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
- Peanut Butter. Any nut or seed butter can be used in place of peanut butter.
- Chocolate Chips. I recommend semi-sweet or bittersweet chips. My favorite are 60% cocoa or higher. However you can use your favorite variety!
- Powdered sugar. You could use this recipe for Paleo Powdered Sugar to make your own!
Store/freeze
Store this puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly in the fridge or on the counter – do not microwave.ÂNutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Time to get sentimental! Two years ago I never would’ve thought I’d start my own business, have the chance to work with and for amazing companies, and I would’ve laughed in your face if you told me that I’d become a freelance photographer!
It’s amazing how life can throw unexpected yet exciting curveballs your way. Now, two years later, you all check out my site three quarters of a million times every month. You make my recipes, take pictures and tell me all about your experiences! You ask me about raising kids, being a mommy and staying healthy through it all! I seriously love what I do and am grateful to all of you for allowing me to do it for another year!
Peace. Love. & Peanut Butter.
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Ready for a low-fat option? Try low-fat peanut butter. I use it because I’m an addict to p.b. and this allows me a lot less guilt. I wonder what the calorie and fat content comes to using Jif low-fat peanut butter. Could you research this and let us know?
Hey Cate! That’s a great suggestion for people looking for a low fat option!
Puppy chow is one of thee most underrated desserts out there- and this one is DELUXE. Looks SO incredibly good!
I totally need to make this/use it, because we love puppy chow, and I love the idea of making it even more chocolatey. 🙂 HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY Laura! 🙂
I have SO many memories of puppy chow from my childhood! I am LOVING your dark chocolate spin on them 🙂 Definitely going to have to keep this in my for the future!
Thanks making it now! I think I will try to add maybe a 1-2tsp of vanilla to the melted chocolate peanutbutter for a bit extra zing. Thanks for the recipe never tried adding cocoa powder to the powdered sugar before.
P.s. For those who want less sugar try using the truvia blend that has some sugar but also other nocalorie sweeteners. Just add the amount to a blender with 1Tbls and 2 tsp of cornstarch blend on high for 30 seconds for a bit healthier powdered sugar.
Tim loves Chex mix. I love chocolate. Want to try this one soon. Maybe Tim won’t like it and I can have it all!! Happy New Year!