Puppy Chow Bars

Peanut butter? Good. Chocolate? Good. Crunchy Chex? Good. Powdered sugar? Good.

What's not to love about puppy chow? I'm pretty sure I used to make it on a monthly basis back when I was in high school, because it was pretty easy and super delicious. The only drawback? Just a little messy. But as a high school kid, I totally didn't care.

It's been years now since I've made puppy chow, and although I've thought about it a few times, I've always been deterred. Carefully mixing the Chex into the peanut butter/chocolate goodness really is a little bit tedious. And that powdered sugar? It gets everywhere. And then I feel like I even have to be careful while I'm eating it, because one stray piece (or a wandering hand) can leave a streak of white on whatever I'm wearing. So I've just never gotten around to making it--until I found this recipe. As soon as I saw it I was hooked. It's got all the to-die-for elements of puppy chow, but in a bar. With a sugar cookie crust. Can we say delicious?

Puppy Chow Bars
(found on the Betty Crocker website by a different name)

1 pouch sugar cookie mix
1 egg
1 cup butter (softened)
2 cups chocolate chips
2 1/2 cups peanut butter
6 cups Chex or Crispix, broken into small pieces
Powdered sugar

Grease and flour the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Combine cookie mix, egg, and 1/2 cup of the butter and mix until well combined. Spread into prepared pan. Bake in a preheated 375* oven for about 12 minutes or until edges are slightly brown. Cool. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and remaining 1/2 cup butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Start with one minute, and then stir after every 30 second interval until smooth. Mix in the peanut butter until fully incorporated. Stir in the cereal pieces and mix to coat. Pour on top of the sugar cookie base; press lightly to stick. Sprinkle with powdered sugar (the amount is up to you; I prefer to go a little light) and refrigerate until set (about one hour). Cut into pieces and enjoy!

Darrell and I definitely agree that this is going to be our go-to recipe whenever we're craving something like puppy chow. The peanut butter and chocolate is way more prominent because the cereal is in smaller pieces and the powdered sugar isn't totally coating each piece--and, in my opinion, the peanut butter and the chocolate are the elements that matter most! Plus the reduced amount of powdered sugar means way less mess. Win win in my book!