Description
Caramel Apple Puppy Chow is a sweet, crunchy snack mix combining crispy rice chex cereal coated in a smooth caramel-flavored vanilla coating, toasted dry apple cake mix, and optionally, crispy apple chips for an extra burst of apple flavor. This easy-to-make treat is perfect for parties, holiday celebrations, or anytime you crave a delicious, festive snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 5 cups rice chex cereal
- 10 oz vanilla candy melts, vanilla almond bark, or white chocolate chips
Flavorings and Mix-ins
- 1 package Caramel Frosting Creations flavor mix
- 1 1/2 cups dry apple cake or muffin mix, toasted
- 1 small bag of apple chips (optional, e.g., Seneca Snacks Apple Chips)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cereal: Pour the rice chex cereal into a large mixing bowl, ensuring there is enough space to coat the cereal without breaking the pieces.
- Melt the Coating: Slowly melt the vanilla candy melts or almond bark in the microwave. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each to prevent burning until fully melted and smooth.
- Add Caramel Flavor: Stir the entire package of Caramel Frosting Creations flavor mix into the melted almond bark until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Coat the Cereal: Pour the caramel-flavored melted coating over the rice chex cereal. Gently stir with care to coat all pieces evenly without breaking the cereal.
- Add Toasted Cake Mix: Sprinkle the toasted dry apple cake or muffin mix over the coated cereal. Lightly stir again to coat the cereal evenly. Optionally, you can place the cereal mixture in a large ziplock bag and shake to combine, but stirring in the bowl is recommended to avoid breaking the cereal.
- Dry the Mixture: Spread the coated cereal mixture out and allow it to dry and set completely, so the coating hardens and sticks well.
- Add Apple Chips: Finally, once the puppy chow is dry, add broken pieces of apple chips for extra flavor and texture, tossing gently to combine if desired.
Notes
- Be careful not to break the rice chex cereal while mixing and coating as they are delicate.
- Toasting the dry apple cake or muffin mix enhances flavor and reduces moisture, helping keep the puppy chow crunchy.
- If you don’t have caramel frosting mix, you can substitute with caramel sauce but adjust the amount to avoid soggy cereal.
- Allow the coated cereal to fully dry before storing to prevent clumping.
- Store the puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- The apple chips are optional but add a nice tart contrast to the sweetness.
