These puppy chow cookies aka muddy buddy cookies mimic the flavors of puppy chow with a peanut butter cookie filled with crunchy bits of chex topped with a chocolate ganache and a sprinkling of powdered sugar. They're the ultimate peanut butter and chocolate lovers dream!
These puppy chow cookies were requested by a reader and I am so glad they were. I love the texture of these cookies with the little bits of chex mixed in and the chocolate topping makes them even better. If you love the nostalgic taste of puppy chow/muddy buddies you're going to fall in love with these!
If you love peanut butter and chocolate together you should also try my brown butter peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, my peanut butter pie with chocolate ganache or my peanut butter s'more cookies.
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Why You Will Love These Cookies
- Nostalgic Flavor: Puppy Chow/Muddy Buddies has always been a fun treat and these cookies give all the same vibes.
- Peanut Butter & Chocolate: Always a winning combo of flavors.
- Chewy & Crunchy Cookie: I love the texture of these chewy peanut butter cookies with the addition of the crunchy chex cereal.
Ingredient Notes
Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Butter: I always use salted butter when I bake, but unsalted will work as well. Make sure your butter isn't too soft or these cookies will spread too thin.
- Peanut Butter: I always use skippy or jif for my peanut butter cookies.
- Sugars: You will use a mix of both brown and granulated sugar for these cookies.
- Flour: If you have a scale use it to weigh flour. If not, make sure you lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup.
- Chex: I used corn chex for these, but rice or even chocolate or peanut butter chex would be great.
- Chocolate: I prefer milk chocolate for these cookies, but you can use semi-sweet as well.
- Toppings: I top my cookies with powdered sugar, puppy chow pieces and flaked salt. Feel free to use whatever you prefer, or they're great without any as well.
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: Place the butter, peanut butter and sugars together in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until smooth.
- Step 2: Slowly mix in salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour being careful not to over mix. I usually stop when I still have some flour remnants around the bowl. Fold in broken up chex cereal.
- Step 3: Using a large cookie scoop, (I use a 3 tbsp) scoop dough into balls and place 5-6 cookie balls per cookie sheet. Flatten the balls down just a bit with your fingers.
- Step 4: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden brown. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes to help the center finish setting.
- Step 5: While cookies are baking place chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat whipping cream until barely starting to boil and then pour over chocolate chips. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and then allow to cool and set up.
- Step 6: Spread chocolate ganache over the cooled cookies. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes, or until ready to serve. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, some muddy buddies and a sprinkle of flaked salt.
Expert Baking Tips
- I always use skippy, jif or peter pan peanut butter for these cookies, you do not want to use a natural peanut butter or they will not set up correctly.
- The crunchy chex in the cookies is so good.. worth buying the box of cereal!
- The chocolate ganache will thicken as it sits and cools, this usually takes 20-30 minutes depending on the temperature in your house.
- I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.
FAQ
No, these cookies would be great without the chocolate. You could also just add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough if you preferred.
Yes, just sub in a gluten free 1:1 flour where all-purpose is called for. The chex and all other ingredients are already gluten free.
No, unfortunately these cookies won't bake up properly with that peanut butter.
Storing & Freezing
Puppy chow cookies will remain fresh in an air tight container at room temperature or in the fridge for 2-3 days.
You can freeze your cookies in an airtight container for 2-3 months with them remaining fresh. You can also freeze the cookie dough balls if you would like to bake them one at a time. Just allow them to sit out and thaw a bit while the oven is preheating.
Other Popular Recipes to Try
For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment if you make them and love them as much as I do!
Puppy Chow Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113.5 g) butter room temperature
- ½ cup (129 g) creamy peanut butter not natural
- ¾ cups (165 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking soda
- 1⅓ cups (186 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (62 g) broken up chex cereal rice or corn
- 1 cup (180 g) milk chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup (78.86 ml) heavy whipping cream
- powdered sugar for sprinkling on top
- muddy buddies for topping
- flaked salt for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Line 2-3 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Place the butter, peanut butter and sugars together in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until smooth.
- Slowly mix in salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour being careful not to over mix. I usually stop when I still have some flour remnants around the bowl. Fold in broken up chex cereal.
- Using a large cookie scoop, (I use a 3 tbsp) scoop dough into balls and place 5-6 cookie balls per cookie sheet. Flatten the balls down just a bit with your fingers.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden brown. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes to help the center finish setting.
- While cookies are baking place chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat whipping cream until barely starting to boil and then pour over chocolate chips. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and then allow to cool and set up.
- Spread chocolate ganache over the cooled cookies. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes, or until ready to serve. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, some muddy buddies and a sprinkle of flaked salt.
Kim
So delicious! One of my favorite flavor combinations!
Theresa Lane
My family gave these a 10/10!! We’re not big on icing so I skipped the ganache and just stirred in some choc chips. I also used Rice Krispies because that’s what I had on hand! Will definitely make these again! Would be perfect for sharing too! Brooke knocked it put of the park again!
Tara Smith
I was sooo excited when I saw your recipe for these. Puppy chow is my family's favorite holiday treat to make and take to family. These are wonderful! Peanut butter and chocolate, plus the crunch of chex, makes these perfection.
Treasure McPherson
Such a fun take on a popular treat! They were chewy and I loved the added Chex bits! Then top it off with a ganache frosting…yes please! Definitely a crowd pleaser!!
Lonna Seger
My family loves anything PB. My fav part was the crunch from the cereal…it reminded me of pop rocks from childhood! Yum!
Andrea Skidmore
Such a fun twist on a peanut butter cookie. Loved the crunch the Chex added to the cookie and the ganache topping elevated it even more. You can’t go wrong with a chocolate + peanut butter combo and this cookie was no exception
Leslie
These were our favorite cookies from cookie club this year! The cookies without ganache topping are great, but adding the ganache and a few pieces of puppy chow took them over the top! They are worth the effort to make for sure.
Stephanie Wright
A new family favorite!
Jen Bucher
If you like chocolate and peanut butter you will love this cookie!!! I was surprised how easy they were to make, even the ganache. The addition of Chex cereal to the actual cookie gave a nice crunch to the soft cookie!!!
Ashley Poynor
So fun to make and so yummy! The perfect Christmas cookie 🙂
Janee
Love the texture of the cookie dough and the chocolate on top is divine!! Such a great cookie!
Janee
Love the texture of the cookie dough and the chocolate on top is divine!
Marsha Ross
My goodness, these cookies were so much fun to make! They are fabulous, the texture and flavors!! They just brought me so much Joy!!
Ashley J
I loved this cookie! So yummy! Possibly my favorite Salted Sweets cookie so far?
Adrienne L.
These are so yummy! They are fun to make, delicious and a perfect addition to my holiday cookie trays!
Erin m.
These were a huge hit! Everyone loved them! I didn't add the puppy chow on top, so I just dusted then with powdered sugar. Definitely delicious!
Debbie Wronka
Kids were super excited for this one and of course they loved them! Can’t go wrong PB and chocolate combo! Will definitely make again!
Haylie
Yummy cookie that was easier than I thought to put together. I made the muddy buddies a few days before and put them in the freezer. The ganache was super easy to put together and the results were delish. I took them to a neighborhood holiday party and they were the first plate cleaned. Thanks for a yummy recipe.
Maggie Sullens
I love these cookies, but it was a bit challenging for me to get the puppy chow to stick. Love the flavors though!
Katie
These were perfection! Puppy chow is a family favorite and these embodied the flavor and texture perfectly. We all loved them!
Shauna Phillips
These were good at room temperature, but incredible cold.
Kirsten M
My husband said "babe, these are AWESOME." and made very clear these must be on regular rotation in our house! 10000/10, no notes! The texture, the perfect chocolate ganache topping, the extra sprinkle of powdered sugar... it's all in the details and these were worth every extra minute of effort!
Camille Knudsen
A more labor intensive cookie but SO worth it! The added crunch from the Chex cereal both in the dough and on top is such a great addition. These are a must make!
Giada Sicara
Made these as a birthday of my mum, cos peanutbutter and chocolate are his favourite things. They were amazing! As with all your recipies, easy, simple and so tasty.
Joan
Love the corn Chex in the cookie! It adds so much to the texture. What a fun recipe!
Elisa M.
Peanut butter and chocolate ganache?! Yes, Ma’am! Delicious… just like the beloved muddy buddies! Such a fun, creative, tasty idea!
Michelle D. Viray
IYKYK…these cookies are Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddy) perfection!! Everyone loved the crunch of the Chex in the cookie and the chocolate peanut butter ganache with a sprinkle of powdered sugar…baker’s kiss! 😘
Danielle
We didn’t have muddy buddies on top cause I didn’t have time to make them but they were still delicious chilled right out of the fridge.I’m not a fan of peanut butter flavor in cookies but my family loved them.
Madison Wirthlin
We love these! So delicious and cute!!