Whether you call it Halloween puppy chow or Halloween muddy buddies, the addition of Halloween candy and autumn colors turn this into the perfect festive party snack! Add this to your party table with a bowl of Halloween candy bark and some cinnamon buttered rum popcorn balls (for the adults, of course).
I’ve been trying so hard to come up with new paleo recipes and get better about baking without gluten, sugar and dairy that I almost forgot Halloween is at the end of the month.
And you know what Halloween is? It’s the American holiday where we tell kids to walk around and be cute or scary so that people will give them boatloads of candy and then they get all wired on sugar and act like tiny crazy people until they crash on the living room floor dressed up like Batman in a puddle of sugary drool.
And that’s why I figured I might as well dive straight into the sugary deep end with Halloween-themed puppy chow.
Here’s what Halloween puppy chow entails:
Chocolate, peanut butter and devil’s food cake mix-covered Chex
White chocolate, powdered sugar and sprinkle-covered Chex
Candy corn and mellowcreme pumpkins
M&Ms
Reese’s Pieces
Reese’s white chocolate mini cups
Mini marshmallows
Gummy worms
Candy eyeballs
There is nothing refined gluten-free, sugar-free or dairy-free about this. No, wait! I used gluten-free Chex cereal! Buuuuut I guess when you pile on everything else, that sort of loses its relevancy. Womp womp.
Oh, well. Can’t say I didn’t try.
I just had to add something weird to this. It wouldn’t be a very good Halloween treat if it didn’t have something spooky or gross, right? I opted for gummy worms and candy that looks like eyeballs. Subtle, but effective.
Obviously, you can use whatever you want in this! Go nuts and swap out the M&Ms for caramels, or the marshmallows for cinnamon sugar coated roasted chickpeas (it’s a thing). You could also swap the chocolate in the coating for Nutella, or the white chocolate for a different kind of chocolate melts. Trade the devil’s food cake mix for red velvet.
The possibilities are endless, my friends.
Embrace your inner sugar-fueled Batman.
After you’ve made this recipe, please leave a comment below with a rating – and if you came from Pinterest, add a photo of what you make to the pin to share your experience!
Divide Chex evenly between two large mixing bowls, and prep two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter and vanilla and heat over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and combined.
Pour over the Chex in one bowl and carefully stir to combine and thoroughly coat. Add devil’s food cake mix and stir/toss to combine and coat.
Pour onto one of the prepared baking sheets and let set for at least 15 minutes.
Melt white chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
Pour white chocolate over the other bowl of Chex and carefully stir to combine. Add powdered sugar and stir/toss to combine and coat. Add sprinkles and toss to combine.
Pour onto the other prepared baking sheet and let set for at least 15 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine both prepared Chex mixes along with all other ingredients and stir/toss to combine. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Now this is a sweet treat I could totally enjoy! Looks like a great way to use up leftover halloween candy too!! Just dump in whatever you have and enjoy. Great idea!
Lynette
Monday 30th of October 2017
Oh, yes! Not only does it look perfect for Halloween but I'm sure it's delicious as well!
Eileen Kelly
Monday 30th of October 2017
Such a perfect Halloween treat!
Abby
Sunday 29th of October 2017
I'm seriously dying over here. Forget the kids; I want this stuff all to myself!
Carrie @ Carrie’s Home Cooking
Sunday 29th of October 2017
What a great Halloween treat! Perfect for a party or kid-friendly get together!
Hi there! I’m Leslie and I use baking as an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety to provide you with easy to follow homemade recipes and a little humor. About Leslie >>
Renee Gardner
Monday 6th of November 2017
Now this is a sweet treat I could totally enjoy! Looks like a great way to use up leftover halloween candy too!! Just dump in whatever you have and enjoy. Great idea!
Lynette
Monday 30th of October 2017
Oh, yes! Not only does it look perfect for Halloween but I'm sure it's delicious as well!
Eileen Kelly
Monday 30th of October 2017
Such a perfect Halloween treat!
Abby
Sunday 29th of October 2017
I'm seriously dying over here. Forget the kids; I want this stuff all to myself!
Carrie @ Carrie’s Home Cooking
Sunday 29th of October 2017
What a great Halloween treat! Perfect for a party or kid-friendly get together!