Elf Hat Puppy Chow
This Elf Hat Puppy Chow is one of the most fun Christmas desserts to make. It's got crunchy chocolate Chex mix with red and green Bugle “elf hats.” It’s the perfect easy Christmas dessert for parties or any holiday snack table!
Ingredients
For the Puppy Chow
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal There are lots of varieties of Chex, but I definitely recommend the rice for this recipe
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Elf Hats
- 3 cups Bugles
- 1/2 cup red candy melts
- 1/2 cup green candy melts
- 1/4 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips (to use as "glue")
- 1-2 Tbsp coconut oil to make candy melts easier to work with
- mini marshmallows or white pearl sprinkles (for the top of your elf hats)
Optional Mix-Ins
- red and green M&Ms
- extra mini marshmallows
- Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
Make Puppy Chow
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Stir in vanilla extract, then pour the mixture over the Chex cereal and gently stir to coat evenly.
- Add powdered sugar to a large zip-top bag, pour in the coated cereal, and shake until everything is well covered. You might have to work in two batches, as all the cereal might not fit in one bag.
- Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool completely.
Make the Elf Hats
- Line another baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the red and green candy melts in separate bowls with some coconut oil to make them easier to work with. I recommend melting only one color at a time so that the other one doesn’t harden.
- Dip Bugles into the melted candy, letting excess drip off, then place on the parchment to set
- Melt some white chocolate with a bit of coconut oil to use as “glue” to help you stick the mini marshmallows on your elf hats.
- Add a small white pearl sprinkle or mini marshmallow with some melted white chocolate to the tip of each Bugle to make the pom-pom. Let them harden completely before assembling the mix.
Assemble
- Once the puppy chow and elf hats are set, gently toss them together in a large bowl with M&Ms, mini marshmallows, and holiday sprinkles. Try to keep the elf hats on top for the cutest presentation! I recommend storing in the fridge until ready to serve, as puppy chow can get melty.