Description
This Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is a delightful sweet snack mix featuring crispy rice or corn cereal coated in melted white chocolate and dusted with a homemade strawberry powder and powdered sugar blend. It’s a quick, no-bake treat perfect for parties, snacking, or gifting, with a bright strawberry flavor and a light, crunchy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups rice or corn Chex cereal
- 1 ounce package freeze-dried strawberries (or dried strawberry powder)
- 1/3 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberry Powder: Place the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor and pulse until you achieve a fine powder. If you have pre-packaged dried strawberry powder, you can use that as a shortcut.
- Mix Powder with Sugar: In a bowl, combine the freshly ground strawberry powder with the powdered sugar. Transfer this mixture to a large resealable freezer bag and seal it tightly.
- Melt White Chocolate: Put the white chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each, until fully melted and smooth.
- Coat the Cereal: Pour the melted white chocolate over the Chex cereal in a large bowl. Gently toss the cereal and chocolate together, ensuring every piece is evenly coated.
- Toss with Strawberry-Sugar Mix: Add the chocolate-coated cereal into the freezer bag containing the strawberry and sugar mix. Seal the bag again and shake gently but thoroughly to evenly coat all the cereal pieces in the strawberry-sugar dusting.
- Set and Store: Spread the coated cereal out onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes to allow the coating to set firmly. Once set, transfer the puppy chow to an airtight container for storage.
Notes
- Use freeze-dried strawberries for the best fresh strawberry flavor in the powder.
- If you prefer a stronger strawberry flavor, adjust the amount of strawberry powder accordingly.
- White chocolate can be substituted with milk or dark chocolate for a different taste profile.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or refrigerate to extend freshness.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free cereal like corn Chex.
