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You'll catch a whiff of chocolate before you even taste this Brownie Batter Puppy Chow. This mouthwatering treat turns ordinary cereal into something extraordinary - a crunchy chocolate delight that feels like sneaking a finger into the brownie mix bowl. After tweaking this snack during countless family movie sessions and midday cravings, I've nailed the exact mix that gives you true brownie batter flavor in every single handful.
Key Ingredients
- Chocolate Chex Cereal: This already-chocolatey base kicks up the brownie taste. You can use plain Chex too for a slightly different but totally yummy result.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: These add a deep flavor that milk chocolate just can't give you. I find Ghirardelli 60% chips work amazingly well.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds a hint of nutty flavor and helps everything stick together nicely. You can try natural stuff too, but the texture might change a bit.
- Cocoa Powder: Go for Dutch-processed for the strongest chocolate kick. The darker the color, the better your snack will taste.
- Brown Sugar: Those molasses hints really nail the genuine brownie batter taste. Don't forget to pack it down when you measure.
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Step-by-Step Guide
- Chocolate Melting Technique
- Put your chocolate chips and peanut butter together in a bowl that's safe for the microwave.
- Warm it up in 30-second bursts, making sure to stir well between each one.
- Take it out when the chips look about 80% melted.
- Keep stirring until it's completely smooth.
- The heat that's already there will finish the job without burning your chocolate.
- Perfect Cereal Coating
- Dump your cereal into a big mixing bowl with plenty of extra room for mixing.
- Pour your warm chocolate mix over the cereal.
- Gently fold with a rubber spatula, bringing the bottom stuff to the top.
- Keep going until every bit of cereal is coated evenly.
- Don't dawdle or the chocolate will start to harden.
- Creating Brownie Batter Magic
- Mix cocoa powder with your white and brown sugars in a different bowl.
- Dust this combo over your chocolate-coated cereal.
- Toss carefully until everything's coated evenly.
- This mix is what gives you that true brownie batter flavor.
- Toss in some sprinkles while everything's still sticky.
- Final Powdered Touch
- Put everything into a large paper bag or container with a lid.
- Add half your powdered sugar, then shake.
- Add the rest and shake again.
- Keep going until all the cereal has a thin, even coating.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes before digging in.
Seasonal Twists
Switch up the chocolate sprinkles with holiday colors - try orange and black for Halloween or red and green at Christmas time. These little pops of color make it even harder to resist.
How To Keep It Fresh
Though it barely lasts a day at my house, keeping it in the fridge actually makes the brownie batter flavor stand out more and stops it from getting melty when it's hot out.
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- Cover Your Counter: Put down parchment paper for super easy cleanup.
- Wait Till It's Cold: Don't pack it up until fully cooled or it'll get soggy.
- Make It Extra Rich: Throw in some mini chocolate chips at the end.
This quick but totally addictive snack has become what people expect me to bring to parties. There's something wonderfully nostalgic about turning everyday cereal into something that tastes like forbidden brownie batter - without worrying about raw eggs. Every crunchy, chocolate-covered bite gives you a little moment of pure joy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I replace Chocolate Chex with another cereal?
- Definitely! You can use 8 cups of regular Rice Chex or any crispy rice cereal as an alternative.
- → What’s the difference between Dutch cocoa and regular cocoa?
- Dutch cocoa tastes milder and less bitter than unsweetened cocoa. Either works fine for this mix.
- → How long can I store this snack?
- If kept in an airtight container, it stays good for up to 7 days at room temperature.
- → Are the chocolate sprinkles necessary?
- Not at all. They’re optional. They just add some crunch and extra chocolate flavor.
- → Can I make this snack ahead of time?
- Yes, it’s perfect for prepping early! Make it up to a week before and keep it airtight until serving.