Valentine's Day Muddy Buddies
A delightful and festive snack that combines crispy rice cereal with a rich chocolatey coating and a powdered sugar finish, perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 9 cups rice cereal (Chex or similar) Light, crispy base that soaks up flavor without getting soggy.
- 1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips Melt to create that glossy, comforting coating.
- 0.5 cups creamy peanut butter Adds richness; substitute almond butter for a different nutty note or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- 0.25 cups unsalted butter Helps the chocolate and peanut butter marry smoothly; coconut oil works for dairy-free variations.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Rounds the sweetness with a warm, floral hint.
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar The classic snowy finish; for a lighter touch, dust with cocoa powder or use half powdered sugar and half powdered erythritol for a lower-sugar option.
- 0.5 cups pink and red heart sprinkles Transforms it into a festive meal centerpiece.
Optional Add-ins
- 0.5 cups chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, or white chocolate chips For layered texture.
Instructions
Preparation
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the rice cereal into a large mixing bowl.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Stir gently until melted and glossy. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Coating
- Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the cereal and fold with a spatula until every flake is luxuriously coated.
- Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal to a large sealable plastic bag (or a second large bowl). Add powdered sugar, seal, and shake until everything is dusted like snow.
Cooling
- Spread the coated clusters on the prepared baking sheet to cool and crisp for 5–10 minutes.
- Sprinkle with heart sprinkles or mix in mini marshmallows or nuts as desired.
Serving
- Serve in a big bowl, in mason jars as a gift, or portion into treat bags with ribbon.
Notes
Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Can be frozen in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. If you need to make ahead, coat the cereal the day before and add sprinkles right before serving to keep colors vibrant.