Reindeer Food Recipe: The Magical Christmas Puppy Chow Everyone Loves

The air is crisp, the lights are twinkling, and the excitement for Santa’s visit is building. But what about his loyal reindeer? This enchanting Reindeer Food Recipe, also known as Christmas Puppy Chow, is the perfect festive treat to leave out on Christmas Eve.

More than just a snack, it’s a sparkling, sweet, and magical tradition that kids adore making and leaving out for Dasher, Dancer, and the rest of the crew. This easy, no-bake recipe is a guaranteed hit that adds an extra sprinkle of magic to your holiday celebrations.

WHY THIS REINDEER FOOD IS A BELOVED HOLIDAY TRADITION

This Reindeer Food Recipe is a must-make for so many magical reasons. You will love it because it is an incredibly easy, no-bake recipe that kids can help make from start to finish. Furthermore, it doubles as a wonderful homemade gift from little hands to their friends and classmates.

It’s also the perfect Christmas Eve activity to build anticipation and create lasting family memories. Finally, the combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures is utterly irresistible, making it a treat that both reindeer and humans will go wild for!

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GATHERING YOUR MAGICAL INGREDIENTS

Creating this magical snack is as easy as a sleigh ride! Here is what you will need for your Reindeer Food Recipe.

For the Puppy Chow Base:

• The Cereal: 9 cups of crispy rice cereal squares or Chex cereal. Corn or rice Chex both work perfectly for a light, crunchy base.
• The Coating: 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and ½ cup of creamy peanut butter.
• The Fat: ¼ cup of unsalted butter.
• The Flavor: 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.

For the Magical “Snow” Dust:

• 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar.

For the Festive Mix-Ins (Choose Your Favorites!):

• The Classics: 1 cup of pretzel sticks, broken into pieces, and 1 cup of Christmas M&M’s.
• The Reindeer Sparkle: ½ cup of holiday sprinkles.

THE ESSENTIAL MAGIC-MAKING TOOLS

You need very few tools to create this magic. A very large mixing bowl is essential. You will also need a large, sealable plastic bag or a paper grocery bag for shaking. A microwave-safe bowl for melting, a spatula, and measuring cups are all you need to complete your reindeer kitchen.

CREATING YOUR MAGICAL SNACK, STEP-BY-STEP

Let’s walk through the simple, fun process of creating this unforgettable Reindeer Food Recipe.

MELTING THE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COATING

First, pour your cereal into the very large mixing bowl. In your microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is completely smooth and melted. Stir in the vanilla extract.

COATING THE CEREAL

Pour the warm, melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the cereal in the large bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold and stir until every single piece of cereal is evenly coated. Be patient; this is the most important step for a perfect coating!

THE FIRST DUSTING OF “SNOW”

Once the cereal is coated, transfer about half of the mixture into your large sealable bag. Add half of the powdered sugar. Seal the bag tightly and shake, shake, shake! Shake until all the pieces are covered in a beautiful layer of white powdered sugar.

ADDING THE FESTIVE MIX-INS

Pour this first batch back into the large bowl. Now, add the broken pretzel pieces and the Christmas M&M’s. Gently stir to combine. The pretzels add a salty crunch, and the M&M’s bring a festive pop of color.

THE FINAL MAGICAL TOUCHES

Now, add the remaining cereal mixture to the bag with the rest of the powdered sugar and shake again. Combine everything in the large bowl, add the holiday sprinkles, and give it one final, gentle stir. The sprinkles are the magical glitter that guides the reindeer to your home!

MY SECRETS FOR THE PERFECT BATCH OF REINDEER FOOD

Here are my pro-tips for guaranteed magical success. For the best texture, make sure your melted chocolate mixture is smooth but not too hot when you pour it over the cereal. If you are using a paper bag for shaking, make sure it doesn’t have any holes! Let the finished Reindeer Food cool and set completely on a baking sheet before packing it into bags or containers; this prevents clumping. For a nut-free version, you can substitute sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter.

DELICIOUS VARIATIONS YOU’LL ACTUALLY TRY

This  Reindeer Food recipe is wonderfully adaptable for all sorts of magical creatures! For a “White Christmas” version, use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. For a peppermint twist, add ½ cup of crushed candy canes along with the powdered sugar. You can also use festive-shaped pretzels or add some dry-roasted peanuts for an extra crunch.

PACKAGING, GIFTING, AND STORING

This Reindeer Food Recipe makes a fantastic gift. Package it in clear cellophane bags tied with a red or green ribbon, and attach a cute tag with instructions: “Sprinkle on your lawn on Christmas Eve to guide the reindeer to your home!” Store the finished mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON QUESTIONS

• My puppy chow got soggy. What happened?
  This usually happens if the melted coating was too hot and made the cereal sweat, or if it wasn’t shaken with the powdered sugar quickly enough. The powdered sugar acts as a sealant, so work fast after coating.
• Can I make this without a microwave?
  Absolutely! You can melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter together in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop, stirring constantly until smooth.
• It’s too clumpy!
  If your powdered sugar is clumping in the bag, try adding it in two separate batches. Also, ensure your cereal mixture isn’t too warm when you add the sugar.

THE PERFECT WAY TO ENJOY IT

While it’s meant for reindeer, this snack is absolutely delicious for humans too! Serve it in a big bowl at your holiday party, pack it in lunchboxes for a special treat, or enjoy it by the handful while watching your favorite Christmas movie with a cold glass of milk.

A NOTE ON THE MAGIC

This Reindeer Food Recipe is more than just a snack; it’s a vessel for holiday wonder. The joy on a child’s face as they sprinkle it on the snow, hoping to catch a glimpse of a reindeer, is pure magic. It’s a simple tradition that fosters imagination and makes the holiday season truly special.

MY STORY: A SWEET FAMILY TRADITION IS BORN

I started making this Reindeer Food Recipe with my nephews when they were just toddlers. It was their favorite part of Christmas Eve, even more than opening one present! We’d put on Christmas music, get a little powdered sugar everywhere, and package up little bags for all their cousins.

Now, years later, it has become a non-negotiable tradition. The mess, the laughter, and the shared belief in magic are what make this recipe so dear to my heart. It’s a sweet, tangible piece of the Christmas spirit.

FINAL CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU MAKE MAGIC

Before you start, quickly confirm:

• Your large bowl is clean and dry
• All ingredients are measured
• You have your shaking bag ready.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS