Description

Valentine’s Day Muddy Buddies are a sweet, crunchy, and festive treat perfect for celebrating love and friendship. Made with crispy Chex cereal coated in a luscious white chocolate and peanut butter mixture, then dusted with powdered sugar and adorned with colorful Valentine’s-themed M&M’s, mini marshmallows, and heart-shaped sprinkles, these snacks are both delightful to look at and delicious to eat. This no-bake recipe is quick and easy to prepare, making it an ideal festive snack for parties or gifting.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

12 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal
2 cups white chocolate chips or melting wafers
1 cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Coating & Decorations

4 cups powdered sugar (plus more if needed)
1½ cups Valentine’s M&M’s (pink, red, white)
1 cup mini marshmallows (optional)
½ cup heart-shaped sprinkles or red sanding sugar for extra flair

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Instructions

Prepare the Cereal: In a large bowl, place the Chex cereal and set it aside to have it ready for coating later.
Melt the Chocolate Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and unsalted butter. Heat the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until everything is melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract to add flavor.
Coat the Cereal: Pour the warm white chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the Chex cereal. Gently fold the mixture into the cereal, making sure each piece is evenly coated without crushing the cereal.
Add the Powdered Sugar: Transfer the coated cereal into a large zip-top bag or sealed container. Add the powdered sugar and shake well until every piece is thoroughly covered in the sugary coating.
Cool the Mixture: Spread the coated cereal onto parchment paper in a single layer to cool and harden, ensuring it remains crunchy.
Add Festive Mix-ins: Once the mixture has cooled and set, fold in Valentine’s M&M’s, mini marshmallows (if using), and heart-shaped sprinkles or red sanding sugar for an extra festive touch.

Notes

Use a gentle folding method when mixing to prevent the cereal from breaking.
Melting the chocolate mixture in short increments prevents burning and ensures a smooth consistency.
Mini marshmallows are optional; omit them if you prefer a less sweet or less chewy texture.
If the mixture feels sticky after adding powdered sugar, add a little more powdered sugar until the desired coating is achieved.
Store the Muddy Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and crunch.
For a nut-free option, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or omit it entirely.