Classic Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow
This delicious recipe combines Chex cereal with a creamy cherry white chocolate coating, dusted with a sweet and tangy powdered sugar and Jell-O mixture, perfect for a fun and easy treat.
Equipment
- Large heat-proof bowl
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large zip-top bag
Ingredients
Cereal Base
- 9 cups Chex Cereal Rice or Corn
Chocolate Coating
- 12 ounces White Chocolate Chips
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 1/2 cup Cherry Chips or Dried Cherries finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- neutral oil canola or vegetable
- food-grade cherry extract
Powdered Coating
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 box Cherry Jell-O Powder 3-ounce
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped pecans or almonds
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- red food coloring gel works best
- Finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
Prepare Cereal
- Pour 9 cups of Chex cereal into a large heat-proof bowl and set aside.
Melt Chocolate Mixture
- Combine white chocolate chips and softened cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth and melted, being careful not to overheat.
Add Flavorings
- Stir vanilla extract and half of the cherry chips into the melted chocolate. Optionally, add a few drops of food-grade cherry extract for a stronger flavor.
Coat Cereal
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal and gently fold with a rubber spatula until evenly coated.
Chill
- Spread the coated cereal onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.
Shake with Coating
- In a large zip-top bag, combine powdered sugar and Cherry Jell-O powder. Add the chilled cereal, seal the bag, and shake vigorously until thoroughly coated.
Final Distribution
- Add the remaining cherry chips to the bag and shake gently to distribute.
Serve
- Serve immediately or store for later enjoyment.
Notes
If the white chocolate mixture becomes stiff during melting, add a tiny splash of neutral oil (canola or vegetable) to loosen it. For an even stronger cherry flavor, a few drops of food-grade cherry extract can be added to the chocolate mixture. Consider dividing the cereal into two bags during the shaking step for a more even coating of the sugar mixture.