Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe
Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow is a sweet, crunchy snack mix featuring crispy Chex cereal coated in a luscious white chocolate and cherry gelatin glaze, dusted with cheesecake pudding and powdered sugar, and finished with dried cherries for a delightful burst of flavor. Perfect for parties, movie nights, or anytime you crave a fun and flavorful treat.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 10 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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
- Prepare the Cereal: Place the 9 cups of Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl and set it aside to get ready for coating.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of unsalted butter. Microwave initially for 30 seconds, then stir well. Continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, stirring each time, until the mixture is fully melted and smooth.
- Mix in Gelatin: Add 1/2 cup of cherry gelatin mix to the melted chocolate and butter mixture. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined, creating a vibrant cherry-infused chocolate coating.
- Coat the Cereal: Pour the cherry-chocolate mixture evenly over the prepared Chex cereal. Gently fold the mixture using a spatula to ensure each piece of cereal is evenly coated.
- Dust with Sugar Mixture: In a large zip-top plastic bag, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1 package (3.5 oz) of instant cheesecake pudding mix. Add the coated cereal to the bag, seal it tightly, and shake vigorously until every piece is thoroughly covered in the sweet, tangy powder.
- Cool and Set: Spread the coated cereal evenly over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow it to cool completely and set, so the coating can harden slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Add Cherries and Serve: Once the puppy chow has cooled, gently stir in 1 cup of chopped dried cherries. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for snacking later.
Notes
- Use rice or corn Chex cereal based on your preference for texture and flavor.
- Be careful not to overheat the white chocolate to prevent burning or graininess; stir often.
- The powdered sugar and cheesecake pudding mix coating creates a creamy, tangy flavor contrast with the sweet cherry chocolate.
- Dried cherries add chewiness and bursts of tartness that balance the sweetness.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week for best freshness.
Keywords: Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow, Chex Mix Snack, White Chocolate Snack, Cherry Gelatin Snack, No-Bake Dessert, Sweet Snack Mix