Birthday Cake Puppy Chow
This Birthday Cake Puppy Chow (aka birthday cake muddy buddies) is a crunchy, no-bake Chex mix coated in cake batter-flavored white chocolate and powdered sugar, then loaded with colorful sprinkles. Perfect for parties, gift bags, or anytime you want a funfetti-style treat you can eat by the handful.
Ingredients
- 8 cups rice or corn Chex cereal use plain Rice Chex, Corn Chex, or a mix
- 1 cup yellow or funfetti cake mix dry mix; will be heat-treated before use
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies) rod-style sprinkles; avoid nonpareils that bleed color
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or vanilla candy melts
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract optional but recommended; gives bakery-style birthday cake flavor
- fine sea salt pinch, to taste
Instructions
- Spread the 1 cup of cake mix in a thin layer on a microwave-safe plate or shallow bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until the mix reaches at least 165°F, about 1½–2 minutes total. Let it cool completely before using.
- Add the cooled cake mix and the powdered sugar to a large gallon-size zip-top bag (or a large bowl with a lid). Seal and shake or whisk gently to combine. This will be the coating mixture.
- Place the 8 cups of Chex cereal in a very large mixing bowl, leaving plenty of room to toss without crushing the cereal.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips (or candy melts) and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir well, then continue microwaving in 15-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted. Stop heating when only a few soft lumps remain and stir until they melt from residual heat.
- Stir the vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and a pinch of fine sea salt into the warm white chocolate mixture until smooth and glossy. If the mixture is too thick, stir in 1–2 teaspoons of neutral oil until pourable.
- Pour the warm white chocolate mixture over the cereal in the large bowl. Using a large spatula, gently fold and toss from the bottom up until all of the cereal pieces have at least a light, even coating.
- Transfer the coated cereal to the bag or lidded bowl with the cake mix and powdered sugar mixture. Seal very well, then shake gently until all the cereal is evenly coated, breaking up any large clumps by massaging the bag or shaking the bowl.
- Open the bag, add the rainbow sprinkles (jimmies), reseal, and give it a gentle shake or two to distribute the sprinkles throughout without burying them completely.
- Spread the coated cereal mixture out onto a large parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer. Let sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, or until dry to the touch and fully set.
- Once cool and set, break up any large clumps with your hands. Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container, jars, or individual snack bags for storage.
Notes
Storage: Store Birthday Cake Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for 4–5 days, away from direct heat and sunlight. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer bag for up to 2 months and let sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving. For a stronger cake batter flavor, you can whisk 1–2 tablespoons of dry cake mix into the melted white chocolate before coating the cereal, then still use the remaining cake mix in the powdered sugar bag. Use jimmies rather than nonpareils to prevent color bleeding. If the mix clumps too much, simply break apart gently once set.
Nutrition
Calories: 300kcal
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