Ingredients:

  • 9 cups (about 250 g) Rice or Corn Chex Cereal
  • 1 cup (200 g) Semi-sweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate, chopped)
  • ½ cup (120 g) Creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup (55 g) Unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) Icing sugar (confectioners' sugar)
  • 1 cup (150 g) Red and green M&Ms or Smarties
  • 1 cup (80 g) Small pretzel twists
  • ½ cup (80 g) Festive sprinkles (red, green, and white nonpareils)

Instructions:

  1. Measure the Base: Gently place the 9 cups of cereal into the large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  2. Melt the Coating: In the microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave on high power in 30-second bursts, stirring vigorously after each interval, until the mixture is smooth and fully combined (about 90 seconds total).
  3. Finish the Coating: Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  4. Coat the Cereal: Pour the warm chocolate mixture evenly over the cereal in the large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold and stir the mixture until almost every piece of cereal is coated. Work quickly but lightly to avoid crushing the delicate cereal pieces.
  5. Prepare for Dusting: Pour the 1 ½ cups of icing sugar into one of the large zip-top bags.
  6. Transfer and Shake (The 'Muddy' Step): Carefully transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into the bag containing the icing sugar. Seal the bag tightly, ensuring there is plenty of air trapped inside.
  7. The Shake: Shake the bag vigorously for 1–2 minutes, rotating the bag often, until all the cereal pieces are completely covered in the white 'mud'. (If the bag is too full, split the mixture between two bags for an even coating.)
  8. Set the Chow: Pour the finished, powdered cereal out onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread the chow into a single layer and allow it to cool and set completely at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (or chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes).
  9. Mix-Ins: Once completely cool and dry, transfer the Reindeer Chow back into a large bowl. Gently toss in the M&Ms, pretzel twists, and festive sprinkles.
  10. Serve or Store: Serve immediately, or transfer to an airtight container for storage.