One of the treats that takes me down memory lane is Puppy Chow. The first time I tasted this delightful snack was at a school fundraiser, and it’s safe to say I was immediately captivated. Through my teen years, I became so fond of it that I could effortlessly whip up the traditional recipe from memory. However, it was only recently that I ventured beyond the classic flavors.
Being an ardent pistachio lover, I felt an irresistible urge to infuse this flavor into Puppy Chow. Does it compete with the timeless blend of chocolate and peanut butter? Well, that’s a delicious discovery you’ll have to embark on by trying the recipe!
This pistachio variant, much like the original, features Rice Chex as its base. While some might opt for mixing everything in a sizeable bowl, I’ve found joy in the brown paper bag technique. Simply combine all the ingredients in the bag, close it up, and give it a good shake. Not only does this method prevent a powdered sugar mess in your kitchen, but it also ensures a hassle-free cleanup. Once your Puppy Chow is ready, the bag can be either recycled or composted, championing sustainability.
Ingredients:
1 box (12 oz) Rice Chex cereal
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
½ cup of melted butter
1 cup of white chocolate chips or cream cheese flavored chips
1 pack (3.4 oz) of instant pistachio pudding mix
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
2 cups of confectioners’ sugar
Steps to Create this Treat:
Begin by transferring the Rice Chex cereal to a sizable bowl or, for an easier cleanup, use a double-layered clean brown paper bag. Keep it aside for now.
In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, your choice of chips, and melted butter. Melt this mixture by microwaving in bursts of 30 seconds, ensuring you stir after each interval until the chips have completely melted and the mixture is silky smooth.
To this, add the pistachio pudding mix and stir until it’s fully blended. Following this, mix in the vanilla extract and salt.
It’s now time to coat the cereal. Pour your pistachio mixture over the Rice Chex, making sure every piece gets an even coating. Once that’s done, sprinkle in the powdered sugar, and give it another good mix to ensure that sweet, powdery finish.
Let your Puppy Chow settle and cool down a bit. For storage, keep it in a sealed container. This treat is best relished within the first couple of days, capturing its freshest flavors!