Reindeer Chow

Noah’s class were reindeers in the school holiday program this week. It is also my week to bring snack so when I was thinking about what to make I decided on Reindeer Chow!

I set out to make something that was easy and that it was! It was so much fun to create my own mix!

The ingredients, I know it looks like a lot of candy, but I portioned it out as I went.

First I poured out the Chex cereal, I used both boxes, dividing each in half between bowls. I only used about half the box of Cheerios as that was a big box. Then I added the peanuts, raisins, and pretzels, which I think look like little reindeer.

And now for the chocolate!

I did use both bags of M&Ms but not all of the Peanut Butter Cups.

And now the finished chow…

The only thing I would change is next time I would get lightly salted peanuts.

This made two large bowls of the Chow. 

I know there are a lot of peanut allergies out there, and it is possible to make this reindeer chow peanut free! Simply use white candy melts instead of the peanut butter for the muddy buddies, and instead of miniature peanut butter cups, you can use mini marshmallows.

Here is how I packed it up the snack. Little containers for the kids and two big containers for the teachers to refill containers and munch on themselves.

To me, it’s not the holidays without reindeer chow. It’s incredibly delicious and couldn’t be any easier to make. In about 20 minutes you can have a fun and festive treat that’s sure to be enjoyed by all!

RECIPE

No holiday party is complete without a big bowl of reindeer chow! This Christmas chex mix is loaded with chocolate flavor and is perfect for feeding a crowd.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup dry brownie mix or 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 bag Christmas M&M’s 12 ounce bag
• 2 cups mini peanut butter cups
• 2 cups pretzel twists

INSTRUCTIONS

• Place the cereal in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave the chocolate mixture for 30 second intervals until melted; stir until smooth.
• Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and use a spatula to gently toss the cereal in the chocolate until completely coated.
• Place the brownie mix inside a resealable gallon sized plastic bag. Add the chocolate coated cereal. Seal, then shake until cereal is coated in the brownie mix.
• Spread the cereal out in a single layer on a sheet of parchment paper; cool completely until dry.
• Combine the cereal, M&M’s, peanut butter cups and pretzel twists, then serve.

NOTES

1. Adapted from Your Cup of Cake

2. To make this reindeer chow peanut free, use white candy melts instead of peanut butter in the chex and swap out the peanut butter cups for mini marshmallows.