Reindeer Chow
Brownie Batter Chex Mix Reindeer Chow
This is the fun Christmas recipe the kids (and grown-ups too) will be loving this holiday season! The best part is, it really only takes a few minutes in the kitchen to make Reindeer Chow. Make this sweet, salty, and crunchy snack for a movie night, party, or fun dessert.
Check out some of our favorite Christmas snack recipes: Haystack Cookies | Caramel Apple Slices Bar | Snowman Hot Chocolate Bombs | White Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Balls | Christmas Cookie Fudge
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Reindeer Chow (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy to print recipe card):
- Rice Chex cereal – Corn Chex also work very well in this recipe, so use whichever Chex cereal you like best.
- Semisweet chocolate chips – the chocolate chips will be melted with peanut butter, so semi-sweet is best to use as milk chocolate burns very quickly.
- Creamy peanut butter – be sure to use creamy peanut butter and not chunky for this recipe.
- Dry brownie mix – if you would prefer not to use the brownie mix, soft together 1 cup powdered sugar with 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and use that mixture to dust the chocolate-peanut butter coated Chex.
- Christmas M&M’s – any color of M&M’S is perfect! We used Christmas colors for Reindeer Chow, but you can make this brownie batter Chex mix any time of the year and use whatever color M&M’S you want.
- Miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups – in this case we used peanut butter cups from ALDI that are really delicious, but normally Reese’s Cups are the go-to choice.
- Pretzel twists – this shape of pretzel is just right for the Reindeer Chow sweet Chex Mix.
How to Make Reindeer Chow
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter and heat in the microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until melted and smooth.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate mixture with the Rice Chex and toss gently with a spatula until the cereal is coated.
Pour the brownie mix over top of the cereal and toss until coated. You can also coat the Chex by placing it in a zip-top bag along with the brownie mix and shaking until it’s all combined.
Add the M&M’s, peanut butter cups, and pretzel twists and toss gently to combine.
How to Give Reindeer Chow as a Gift
Package the Reindeer Chex mix in cute little Christmas-themed bags, tie with a ribbon, attach a small gift tag with the list of ingredients (be sure to note the peanut butter, in case of allergies), and give as adorable small gifts. These also make a nice addition to Christmas gift baskets. Or fill a large Christmas cookie tin with the mix for larger gifts.
Variations
Want to mix it up and make this Reindeer Chow your own? Here are some other mix-in ideas:
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate chips – white chocolate is a nice contrast to the brownie batter Chex
- Roasted nuts – peanuts, almonds, or pecans are good options
- Mini peanut butter filled pretzels
- Yogurt covered raisins
- Small pieces of peanut brittle
How to Store Leftover Chex Mix
Keep the leftover Chex mix in an airtight food storage container or a zip-top bag with as much air removed as possible without crushing the Chex. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to a week.
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Reindeer Chow
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup dry brownie mix
- 1 12-ounce bag Christmas M&M's
- 2 cups miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups unwrapped
- 2 cups pretzel twists
Instructions
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter and heat in the microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until melted and smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate mixture with the Rice Chex and toss gently with a spatula until the cereal is coated. Pour the brownie mix over top of the cereal and toss until coated.
- Add the M&M's, peanut butter cups, and pretzel twists and toss gently to combine.
