Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: Irresistible Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies will be your go-to munch! Nostalgic, crunchy, and chocolatey with just the right amount of salt to make the flavor pop, this easy-to-make, portable treat will keep you coming back for more!

• Beloved! Make a couple of batches for a party, because trust me, people eat this snack mix up!
• Add your favorites: Personalize your Muddy Buddies with crunchy, salty, or colorful mix-ins.
• Black and white twist: This nut-free version is a sweet and creamy take on the peanut butter original.
• Money saver: This recipe yields a large batch (approximately ten servings) of Muddy Buddies for the same price as a 3-serving bag from the store.
• So special, so simple: Just six ingredients and ready in less than an hour—don’t sleep on this crave-worthy snack recipe.

I’ve learned that cookies and cream flavored ANYTHING is a crowd-pleaser—the chocolate and vanilla combo is such a classic, but you can get creative and use it in so many ways. These Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies are a winner, and you’ll also adore Cookies ‘n Cream Ice Cream Cake, Cookies & Cream Popsicles, Oreo Microwave Cheesecake in a Mug, and No-Machine Cookies and Cream Ice Cream!

When I was a very young baker, I loved recipes that used cereal—they were easy to make, no-bake, and cereal was always in the pantry. This is one of those simple, kid-friendly recipes, but I do have some essential tips: Use a white chocolate bar instead of chips—the bar melts much more smoothly. I also steer clear of “chocolate melts,” which often don’t contain real chocolate. And because Muddy Buddies can be overly sweet, I’ve cut back the sugar quite a bit. They still taste amazing—you’ll get all the flavor you love, without the sugar overload.

Table of Contents

• What are Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients and Substitutes
• How to Make Cookies & Cream Muddy Buddies
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
• Mix-In and Variation Ideas
• FAQ
• More Easy Snack Recipes

What are Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies?

• Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies recipe (also known as Cookies and Cream Puppy Chow or Monkey Munch) is a sweet, cereal-based snack mix. It’s a variation of the original (peanut butter and chocolate) Chex Muddy Buddies.
  • Milk chocolate-coated Chex cereal and white chocolate-coated Chex cereal are the foundation of the mix. They deliver richness, a sweet and salty flavor, and crunch.
  • Chopped Oreos accentuate the cookies and cream taste with their classic rich chocolate, and mild vanilla flavor profile.
  • The combination of crunchy cereal, smooth creamy chocolate, and crumbly cookies gives the mix varied textures.
• Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies are fun and portable, making the mixture a natural for all kinds of uses: gift bags, party favors, movie nights, dessert buffets, and road trip snacks.
• Muddy Buddies originated in the Midwest in the 1960s. Then known as “Puppy Chow,” it was a common homemade holiday mix made with Chex cereal coated in melted butter, peanut butter, and chocolate, and tossed in powdered sugar. When General Mills—the maker of Chex—started promoting the snack mix, they rebranded it as Muddy Buddies to avoid confusion with the dog food of the same name!

Tools You Need

• Mixing bowl
• Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Kitchen scale (optional)
• Knife

Key Ingredients and Substitutes

White Chocolate Chex

• White chocolate

  • White chocolate gives the snack mix a creamy flavor with a note of vanilla.
  • Since white chocolate has a high sugar content, it adds sweetness to the cereal mix.
  • Additionally, the cocoa butter in white chocolate gives  mixturerichness.
  • Be sure to use high-quality chopped white chocolate for the best taste.
  • Note that genuine white chocolate, which contains cocoa butter, is almost always sold as bars. White baking chips, which won’t taste as good, contain partially hydrogenated oil (usually palm kernel oil) instead.

• Chex cereal

  • Chex has the ideal delicate yet sturdy structure that’s crispy but supports the coating without crumbling.
  • This cereal has a lattice-like texture that makes it easier for the coating to grip and coat the outside and inside.
  • Substitutes: If you prefer, use an equal amount of Crispex or Golden Grahams (which is sweeter) cereal, or another similar light, crispy cereal.

• Powdered sugar

  • Powdered sugar gives the mixture sweetness.
  • Because powdered sugar, a mix of granulated sugar and cornstarch, is so fine, it coats the mixture well.
  • Make your own powdered sugar with my recipe—it’s easy!

• Salt

  • Salt gives the mixture that delectable sweet-salty flavor.

Milk Chocolate Chex

• Milk chocolate

  • Milk chocolate is sweet and mild, and the perfect choice to complement the toasty cereal squares.
  • Additionally, milk chocolate is smooth and creamy, which is the perfect contrast to the crip Chex.
  • Use good-quality chopped milk chocolate (from a bar) for the best flavor and texture.

• Chex cereal

  • Chex has a mild taste that doesn’t distract from the toppings.
  • The cereal’s slightly nutty, earthy, salty flavor is the perfect partner to balance the chocolate’s sweetness and richness.
  • Use Rice Chex and Corn Chex for the mildest flavor and crunchiest texture.
  • Substitutes: You can use the same amount of another light, crispy cereal such as Crispex or Golden Grahams (a sweeter choice).

• Powdered sugar

  • Dusting the pieces with powdered sugar keeps them from sticking together.
  • Powdered sugar gives the mix its classic snowy look.

• Salt

  • Salt balances out the sweetness.

Oreo cookies

• Chopped Oreo cookies add delightful chocolate cookies and vanilla cream flavor.
• Importantly, these chopped sandwich cookies bring a delightful crumbly texture to this cereal snack mix.
• Substitute: You can use gluten-free Oreos to make a gluten free Muddy Buddy mix
• You can also another type of chocolate sandwich cookie or Chocolate Graham Crackers.
• For a different flavor, you can substitute Biscoff Cookies or Graham Crackers.

How to Make Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies

To Make the White Chocolate Chex

1. Melt white chocolate: In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate in 20-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until melted. (You can also melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water.)
2. Coat cereal and let set: Add the Chex cereal, powdered sugar and salt and stir to coat completely. Set aside until the white chocolate has set, about 30 minutes.

To Make the Milk Chocolate Chex

3. Melt semi-sweet chocolate: In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in 20-second increments, stirring in between each, until melted. (You can also melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water.)
4. Coat cereal and let set: Add the Chex cereal, powdered sugar and salt and stir to coat completely. Set aside until the chocolate has set, about 30 minutes.

Assembling the Muddy Buddies

5. In a large bowl, combine both Chex mixes with the Oreo chunks and enjoy.

FULL (PRINTABLE) RECIPE BELOW! 

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• Cut safely: Chocolate can be hard to chop. If you are a child making this recipe, please get a grown-up to help you cut the chocolate.
• Chopping tip: Put the cookies in a large ziploc bag and break them up with a rolling pin, or pulse briefly in a food processor.
• Easy melting: I don’t recommend using white or milk chocolate chips in this cookies and cream chex mix, because they contain emulsifiers which can prevent them from melting smoothly.
• Chocolate choice: You can replace the milk chocolate with an equal amount of semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
• Mint option: If you are a mint chocolate fan, add 1-2 drops of peppermint oil (not extract) to the white chocolate just after melting and before you stir in the cereal.
• Make it salty: If salty-sweet is your thing, you can replace the Oreos with salted peanuts.
• Even coating: Coat the cereal while the chocolate is warm so it coats each piece smoothly.
• Secure coating: Use fresh Chex from an unopened box to ensure even coating. Stale or softer cereal will affect the coating ability.
• Serving tips: For an impactful presentation, put the cookies and cream mixture in a large bowl and drizzle with melted chocolate. Or serve the mix individually in ramekins or popcorn bags.
• Great gifts! Portion out this mix and bundle it in clear cello bags, then tie with a ribbon. You can also gift this snack mix in mason jars or small cookie boxes.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

• Make-ahead tips: 
  • You can make Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies two weeks ahead of time.
  • Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
  • If your kitchen is hot and humid, I would not recommend making the Muddy Buddies ahead of time, as they may melt or become soggy.
• How to store leftovers: Store leftovers at room temperature (do not store in the fridge or the mix will get soggy) in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Mix-In and Flavor Variation Ideas

• For extra crunch, add:
  • Broken-up pretzels
  • Heath bar pieces
• To make the mix even more chocolatey, use:
  • Dark chocolate chips and/or semisweet chocolate chips
  • Malted milk balls
• For a fun twist and more color, add: 
  • Colorful Sprinkles
  • M&Ms or Mini M&Ms
• For flavor variety, add:
  • Add a half teaspoon of espresso powder for deeper flavor
  • Use a pinch of sea salt to increase the salty-sweet taste
• For topping, use:
  • Drizzles of white and dark chocolate
  • Crush Oreos on top or garnish with chocolate cookie crumbs

FAQs

How can I ensure my coating comes out smooth and even?

• Melt the white chocolate and milk chocolate slowly and evenly, either in the microwave with short bursts, or in a double-boiler. Overheating can cause chocolate to seize or become oily, resulting in uneven coating.
• Mix the chocolate and cereal evenly and gently.

Can I make this Cookies ‘n Cream Chex Mix gluten-free?

• Yes, you can make this Cookies ‘n Cream Chex mix gluten-free.
  • Use Rice Chex and/or Corn Chex. Both are gluten-free.
  • Use gluten-free Oreos.
  • Double-check that the other recipes you use are certified gluten-free.

How do I make sure my cookies and cream mix isn’t sticky or soggy?

• Make sure you let the chocolate-coated cereal set for at least 30 minutes.
• Even though you may be tempted, do not use more chocolate coating than the recipe calls for. Saturating cereal could make it gloppy.

More Easy Snack Recipes

• Homemade Granola Bars
• Easy Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Chocolate Cracknell
• 3-Ingredient Fruit Leather