Pin it
The mouthwatering chocolate scent grabs your attention even before you taste this Brownie Batter Puppy Chow. This addictive treat turns ordinary cereal into something extraordinary – a crunchy, chocolate-covered delight that gives you that sneaky joy of sampling brownie mix from the bowl. I've tweaked this recipe during countless family movie sessions and snack cravings, and finally nailed the perfect mix that delivers authentic brownie batter flavor in every single handful.
Key Ingredients
- Chocolate Chex Cereal: This chocolate-flavored base makes the brownie taste even stronger. You can use plain Chex too for a different but still yummy result.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: These add a deep flavor that milk chocolate just can't give you. I've found Ghirardelli 60% chips work amazingly well.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: It adds a hint of nuttiness and helps everything stick together perfectly. You can try natural peanut butter, but the texture might turn out a bit different.
- Cocoa Powder: Dutch-processed gives you the richest chocolate taste. Go for the darkest color you can find.
- Brown Sugar: Those caramel notes are crucial for true brownie batter flavor. Don't forget to pack it down when you measure.
Pin it
Step-by-Step Directions
- Chocolate Melting Technique
- Put your chocolate chips and peanut butter in a bowl safe for the microwave.
- Warm it up in 30-second bursts, making sure to stir well between each one.
- Take it out when the chips are mostly melted, about 80% done.
- Keep stirring until everything's smooth.
- The heat that's left will finish melting everything without burning it.
- Perfect Cereal Coating
- Get a big mixing bowl with plenty of space to move things around.
- Pour your warm chocolate mix over the cereal.
- Gently fold with a rubber spatula, bringing the bottom stuff to the top.
- Keep going until you've coated every single piece.
- Don't dawdle or the chocolate will start to harden.
- Creating Brownie Batter Magic
- Mix your cocoa powder with both brown and white sugars in another bowl.
- Dust this mixture all over your chocolate-covered cereal.
- Toss everything carefully until it's all evenly mixed.
- This special combo gives you that true brownie batter taste.
- Throw in some sprinkles while everything's still sticky.
- Final Powdered Touch
- Put your mixture into a big paper bag or container with a lid.
- Add half your powdered sugar, then shake.
- Add the rest of the sugar and shake again.
- Keep going until all the cereal has a thin, even coating.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes before you dig in.
Colorful Variations
Switch out regular sprinkles for holiday colors to make it extra special – try orange and black for Halloween or red and green at Christmas time. These colorful touches make it even harder to resist.
Keeping It Fresh
Nobody at my house can keep their hands off this stuff, but if you need to save some, the fridge actually makes the brownie flavor pop even more and stops any melting when it's hot out.
Pro Cooking Tricks
- Protect Your Counter: Put down some parchment paper so cleanup's a breeze.
- Wait Till It's Cool: Don't store it until it's completely cooled or it'll get soggy.
- For Super Rich Flavor: Throw in some mini chocolate chips after everything else is done.
This easy but totally amazing snack has become what everyone expects me to bring to parties. There's something wonderfully nostalgic about turning regular cereal into something that tastes like forbidden brownie batter – without worrying about raw eggs. Every crunchy, chocolate-covered bite gives you a little moment of pure happiness.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap out Chocolate Chex with regular Rice Chex?
- Absolutely! You can use 8 cups of Rice Chex or any crispy rice cereal if Chocolate Chex isn't available.
- → Is there a big flavor difference between Dutch cocoa and unsweetened cocoa?
- Dutch cocoa has a smoother, less sharp taste compared to unsweetened cocoa, but both are great choices.
- → How long will this stay fresh?
- Keep this snack in an airtight container at room temp, and it’ll stay good for about a week.
- → Do I really need chocolate sprinkles?
- Not at all! They’re just for added texture and extra chocolatey vibes. Feel free to skip them.
- → Can I prep this ahead for a gathering?
- Yep, for sure. You can make it up to a week early and just store it sealed until you’re ready to dig in.