Sometimes the childhood classics just can’t be beat. While we’re in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I can’t help but crave things from my childhood. Basic comfort food is great but it really isn’t cutting it. I want the stuff my mom made me – the OG’s of comfort food.
Enter Muddy Buddies… or Puppy Chow. I don’t care what you call them. I just care that you make them. Like right now.
No really, why are you still here??
The recipe is SO simple. In fact, you could copy it right off the Chex Rice cereal box if you’d like. You’d get zero judgement from me.
I, however, decided to make my stomach as happy as my heart and switch things up a bit. I want to clean up the ingredients so that I wasn’t curled over in the fetal position with a massive stomach ache and an even bigger sugar crash. PLUS, you know I can’t make a recipe without trying to up the protein intake.
Protein is important, especially when you are producing enough milk to nurse a village.
…You’re welcome for the visual.
ANYWAY, the recipe –
Start with some good quality chocolate. I prefer Hu Kitchen’s Chocolate Gems as they have the cleanest ingredients. They’re sweetened with coconut sugar so if you’re like me and are sensitive to cane sugar, they’re a solid choice!! You can also use one of their bars and just chop it up. My favorite bar is the Salty Dark Chocolate. If you are a dark chocolate lover, you’ll love it too! If you prefer a more mild taste, the Cashew Butter Vanilla Bean is another great option.
Once we have the chocolate all sorted out, move on to the butter. If you aren’t dairy-free, use regular butter! If you are dairy-free, miyoko’s creamery is my favorite!
Moving onto the nut butter. Use whatever kind you’d like!! The original recipe calls for peanut butter –> DELICIOUS. I love the recipe with cashew butter as well and I’ve heard from other reviewers that almond butter is another solid choice.
Choose your cereal of choice- I went with Chex Rice cereal but Barbara’s Puffins is runner up. It all depends on the ingredients you prefer. If you want to get a little crazy, each company has their own version of peanut butter cereal. Barbara’s Peanut Butter Puffins and Chex Peanut Butter Rice cereal would be BOMB with this recipe.
Lastly, choose your sugary powder coating of choice. I went with a mixture of organic powdered sugar and probiotic vanilla protein powder. It created the perfect amount of sweetness without leaving me with a dreaded sugar crash. If you don’t have a sensitivity to erythritol, using a powdered sugar-free sweetener is an option too!
I like using protein powder because it gives you the texture you’re craving but it also supports your needs. Eating a diet filled with clean protein such as the protein that Nuzest uses (pea protein) is so important! It supports your body in numerous ways, my favorite being that it helps with balancing our blood sugar. No nasty roller coaster crashes for us mmk?
Alright, my friends, DAT’S IT!! Go forth and make this glorious childhood dessert knowing that these good for you ingredients have your back!
IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE THIS OR ONE OF MY MANY OTHER RECIPES, PLEASE DO SHARE YOUR CREATION ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING #THEKELLYKATHLEEN @THEKELLYKATHLEEN . YOUR SUPPORT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME AND I’D LOVE TO SHOW YOU MINE!
Healthy (ish) Muddy Buddies
Ingredients
- 8 cups rice cereal
- 1 cup Hu Kitchen chocolate gems
- 1/2 cup nut butter pb or cashew work best!
- 1/4 cup butter dairy-free or regular
- 1/2 cup Nuzest probiotic vanilla protein discount link above
- 1/4 cup organic powdered sugar OPTIONAL- omit completely or use up to 1/4 cup more if you like things sweet
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, heat the chocolate, nut butter and butter for 1 minute. Stir and heat again for 15 seconds if necessary. Add in the cereal and stir until it’s completely coated. In a small bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients. Sprinkle 1/3 of the mixture over the cereal and stir. Repeat until the powdered mixture is all gone. Eat right away or chill for 20 minutes until the chocolate sets.
