Birthday Cake Puppy Chow
Birthday Cake Puppy Chow is a colorful, crunchy, no-bake birthday cake dessert snack that tastes like funfetti cake and party frosting in an easy sweet party mix.
Ingredients
- 9 cups rice or corn Chex cereal Rice Chex or Corn Chex; rice is preferred for lighter crunch
- 2 cups white chocolate chips about 12 oz; use a brand that melts smoothly
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter or salted butter and reduce added salt
- 1 1/4 cups dry funfetti or vanilla cake mix such as Pillsbury Funfetti or any vanilla/yellow cake mix
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract use real vanilla for best flavor
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles use jimmies, not nonpareils, to prevent color bleeding
- 1/2 cup mini white chocolate chips or confetti chips optional, for extra texture
- 1/2–1 cup mix-ins of choice optional; such as mini M&M’s, birthday cake M&M’s, chopped golden Oreos, or mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Pour the Chex cereal into a very large mixing bowl (or divide between two medium bowls if needed). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper for cooling later.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry cake mix, powdered sugar, and fine sea salt, breaking up any lumps. Set aside.
- Add the white chocolate chips and butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then heat in 15–20 second bursts, stirring after each, until mostly melted and smooth. Alternatively, melt together in a heat-safe bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water, stirring often, until smooth. Do not overheat or the white chocolate may seize.
- Stir the vanilla extract into the melted white chocolate mixture until well combined. The mixture may thicken slightly, which is fine.
- Pour the warm white chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal. Using a silicone spatula, gently fold and toss until most of the cereal pieces are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle about half of the cake mix–powdered sugar mixture over the coated cereal and toss gently to coat. Add the remaining half and continue tossing until the cereal looks mostly covered and no large wet spots remain. If using two bowls, divide the coating between them.
- While the coating is still slightly tacky but not hot, add the rainbow jimmies sprinkles, mini white chocolate or confetti chips, and any desired mix-ins. Gently toss again until evenly distributed.
- Spread the birthday cake puppy chow out in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, or chill briefly in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes until the coating is set.
- Once cool and set, break apart any large clusters with your hands. Transfer to a serving bowl or portion into bags or cups for serving.
Notes
Yield: about 10–12 cups (roughly 16–20 snack servings). For gluten-free, use gluten-free Chex and gluten-free vanilla cake mix and check sprinkles. For a lower-sugar version, use sugar-free cake mix and reduce powdered sugar to 1 cup. For dairy-free, use dairy-free white chips and a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil instead of butter. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 250kcal
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