Get ready for your new favorite no-bake treat! This Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow combines the irresistible crunch of Chex cereal with the creamy, tangy flavor of cheesecake and a sweet burst of cherry. Each piece is coated in luscious white chocolate and a sweet cherry-graham cracker mixture. It’s an incredibly easy, fun, and addictive snack that’s perfect for parties, movie nights, or anytime you need a quick and delicious dessert fix. No oven required!
Everything You Need
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal (or a similar variety)
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup freeze-dried cherries, crushed into a powder
How to Make Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow
Follow these easy steps to create this addictive no-bake snack.
Step 1: Prepare Your Cereal and Coating Mixture
Measure the Chex cereal into a very large bowl. In a separate large, resealable plastic bag, combine the powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and crushed freeze-dried cherries. Shake the bag to mix everything evenly.
Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate Coating
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips, softened cream cheese, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each one, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Coat the Cereal
Pour the melted white chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal in the large bowl. Use a spatula to gently stir and fold until the cereal is evenly coated. Be gentle to avoid crushing the cereal too much.
Step 4: Shake to Perfection
Transfer the coated cereal into the plastic bag with the powdered sugar mixture. Seal the bag securely, leaving some air inside. Shake the bag vigorously for a minute or two, until every piece of cereal is thoroughly coated in the sweet cherry-graham cracker dust.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Spread the finished puppy chow in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let it cool completely at room temperature, which allows the chocolate to set. Once cooled, break up any large clumps and serve immediately or store for later.
Your Puppy Chow Questions, Answered
How do I store leftovers?
Store the puppy chow in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag at room temperature. It should stay fresh and crunchy for up to a week.
Can I use fresh or frozen cherries?
It’s best to stick with freeze-dried cherries for this recipe. Fresh or frozen cherries contain too much moisture, which would make the puppy chow soggy and spoil quickly.
My white chocolate seized up! What did I do wrong?
White chocolate can be sensitive to heat. This usually happens if it gets too hot or if any water gets into it. To prevent this, microwave it in short bursts and stir frequently. Make sure all your bowls and utensils are completely dry.
Can I use a different type of cereal?
Yes, you can experiment with other Chex cereals like Corn Chex or Chocolate Chex for a different flavor profile. Crispix would also work well.
Pro-Tips for the Best Batch
- Crush Cherries Finely: For the best flavor and color distribution, crush the freeze-dried cherries into a fine powder. You can do this easily by placing them in a plastic bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin.
- Cool the Chocolate Slightly: Let the melted white chocolate mixture cool for a minute or two before pouring it over the cereal. If it’s too hot, it can make the cereal less crunchy.
- Work Quickly: Once you mix the cereal with the chocolate, don’t wait too long to transfer it to the powdered sugar bag. This ensures the coating sticks well.
Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Large resealable plastic bag
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup freeze-dried cherries, crushed
Instructions
- Measure cereal into a very large bowl. In a large resealable bag, combine powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and crushed freeze-dried cherries. Shake to mix.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips, cream cheese, and butter in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir gently until all cereal is coated.
- Transfer the coated cereal to the bag with the powdered sugar mixture. Seal and shake vigorously until the cereal is well-coated.
- Spread the puppy chow on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool completely. Break up any clumps before serving.