Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow
A sweet and fruity snack mix combining crunchy Chex cereal with a creamy cherry cheesecake coating, dusted with powdered sugar.
Equipment
- Large microwave-safe bowl
- Gallon-sized Ziploc bag (optional)
- Baking sheet with parchment paper
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 9 cups Chex cereal (rice or corn) about 12 oz
- 16 oz cream cheese frosting store-bought is fine
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 1 can cherry pie filling 21 oz can
- 2 cups powdered sugar plus more for dusting
Instructions
Preparation
- Combine cream cheese frosting, butter, and vanilla extract in a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth and melted, being careful not to scorch.
- Stir in the cherry pie filling until well combined, mashing larger cherry pieces if a smoother texture is desired.
- Place Chex cereal into a very large bowl or a sturdy gallon-sized Ziploc bag.
- Pour the cherry cheesecake mixture over the cereal and gently stir (in a bowl) or shake/tumble (in a bag) until all cereal is evenly coated.
- Add 2 cups of powdered sugar to the coated cereal, either in the bowl or bag.
- If using a bag, seal and shake vigorously until the cereal is thoroughly coated, or stir well in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Spread the puppy chow in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Allow it to cool and set completely for 30-60 minutes, or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes for a quicker set, before serving.
Notes
For best results, use fresh Chex cereal to maintain its crispness. You can store leftover puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.