Pin it A delightful twist on classic puppy chow, this festive version is infused with warm chai spices and a touch of pumpkin, perfect for holiday snacking.
I first made this Thanksgiving Chai-Spiced Puppy Chow for our family holiday snack tray, and everyone loved its warm spice blend and gentle pumpkin flavor.
Ingredients
- Rice cereal squares: 6 cups (such as Chex)
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: 1 cup
- Creamy peanut butter: 1/2 cup
- Unsalted butter: 3 tablespoons
- Pumpkin puree: 2 tablespoons
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
- Ground ginger: 1/2 teaspoon
- Ground cardamom: 1/2 teaspoon
- Ground cloves: 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground black pepper: 1/8 teaspoon
- Powdered sugar: 1 1/2 cups
Instructions
- Prepare cereal:
- Measure 6 cups rice cereal squares into a large bowl and set aside.
- Melt coating:
- Combine chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, unsalted butter, and pumpkin puree in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until smooth (about 1 to 2 minutes).
- Add spices and vanilla:
- Stir in the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cardamom, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground black pepper until well combined.
- Coat cereal:
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal. Gently fold with a spatula until all cereal is evenly coated.
- Coat with powdered sugar:
- Transfer coated cereal into a large zip-top bag, add powdered sugar, seal, and shake until cereal is fully coated and not sticky.
- Cool and serve:
- Spread puppy chow on a baking sheet to cool and dry for 10 minutes before serving.
Pin it My youngest cousins always rush to the table for puppy chow at Thanksgiving, and this spiced version now gets special requests every year.
Required Tools
Large mixing bowl, microwave-safe bowl, spatula, large zip-top bag, baking sheet
Allergen Information
Contains peanuts (or tree nuts if using almond butter), dairy, chocolate with soy. Check labels for gluten. Not suitable for nut or dairy allergies.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 330, Total Fat 15 g, Carbohydrates 46 g, Protein 5 g
Pin it This festive treat disappears fast every Thanksgiving, so make a double batch if you want leftovers.
Common Questions
- → What makes this puppy chow festive?
The blend of chai spices and pumpkin puree adds warmth and seasonal flair, perfect for holiday celebrations.
- → Can I substitute peanut butter?
Yes! Almond butter or other nut butters can be swapped for peanut butter to suit different preferences.
- → Is this dessert vegetarian?
Yes, all ingredients used are vegetarian-friendly if you check labels for hidden animal products.
- → How do I store leftovers?
Store cooled puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week for best texture.
- → What cereal works best?
Rice cereal squares such as Chex provide the ideal crunch and shape for coating evenly with the spiced mixture.
- → Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely—just use gluten-free rice cereal squares and verify all products are gluten-free before preparing.