Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is the perfect Valentine’s Day treat when you need something sweet and festive in just 10 minutes. This strawberry puppy chow recipe turns crunchy rice Chex into an addictive snack coated in vanilla and pink strawberry chocolate, topped with powdered sugar, white chocolate chips, dried strawberries, and chunks of vanilla Oreos.
Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow
What I love most about this strawberry chex mix puppy chow is how easy it is to make with kids. You just shake everything in zip lock bags, mix it all together, and you have a Valentine dessert that looks impressive but requires zero baking. It’s perfect for class parties, treat bags, or just having around the house when you need something sweet.
Ingredients & Equipment
- Rice Chex cereal
- Vanilla almond bark
- Pink strawberry candy melts
- Powdered sugar
- Freeze dried strawberries
- White chocolate chips
- Vanilla Oreos
Full measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You’ll also need a few things from your kitchen:
- Two gallon sized zip lock bags
- Two microwave safe bowls
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
Step By Step Directions
This recipe makes 8 servings. It takes 5 minutes of prep time and 5 minutes of cook time.
Step 1. Add 4 cups of rice Chex into one of the gallon bags and 4 cups into the other bag.
Step 2. Melt the almond bark in a microwave safe bowl by microwaving in 30 second increments, stirring in between.
Step 3. Pour the melted almond bark into one bag. Close it and shake around to coat all the cereal.
Step 4. Add ⅓ cup of powdered sugar to the coated cereal and shake again to coat the almond bark.
Step 5. In another microwave safe bowl add the strawberry candy melts and melt in the microwave by microwaving in 30 second increments, stirring in between.
Step 6. Add the melted candy to the other bag of cereal. Close it and shake around to coat all the cereal.
Step 7. Add ⅓ cup of powdered sugar to the coated cereal and shake again to coat the almond bark.
Step 8. In a large bowl dump both bags of the chocolate coated cereal and add the dried strawberries, white chocolate chips and broken Oreo chunks. Toss gently and enjoy!
Variations
- Chocolate Strawberry Version – Use chocolate candy melts instead of vanilla almond bark for one of the batches for a chocolate strawberry combo
- Different Cookie Mix-Ins – Try Golden Oreos, strawberry Oreos, or even crushed graham crackers for a different twist on the strawberry shortcake theme
- Add Sprinkles – Toss in pink and red heart sprinkles or Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles for extra festive color
- Dark Chocolate Option – Swap the white chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips if you want a less sweet version
- Make it Nutty – Add chopped almonds or pecans for extra crunch and flavor
Leftovers & Storage
Store your Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days. The powdered sugar coating keeps everything fresh and the mix stays crunchy. If it sits for a few days, you might want to add a light dusting of fresh powdered sugar before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- If your strawberry candy melts seem too thick after melting, add just a tiny bit of vegetable oil and stir until smooth.
- Break the Oreos into whatever size chunks you prefer. I like mine in quarters so you get good sized pieces in every handful.
- Shake the bags gently but thoroughly to make sure every piece of cereal gets coated with chocolate and powdered sugar.
- Let the chocolate coated cereal cool for a minute or two before adding the powdered sugar so it doesn’t all dissolve.
- Make sure to use freeze dried strawberries, not fresh or frozen. They stay crunchy and won’t make the mix soggy.
- Work quickly when coating the cereal with melted chocolate so it doesn’t harden before you finish shaking.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different kind of Chex cereal?
Yes, you can use corn Chex or wheat Chex if that’s what you have on hand. Rice Chex gives the lightest, crunchiest texture, but any variety works fine for this recipe.
What if I can’t find strawberry candy melts?
You can use white candy melts and add a few drops of pink food coloring, or use pink vanilla candy melts instead. The strawberry flavor is subtle, so regular pink melts will still give you the pretty Valentine’s Day look.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! This strawberry puppy chow actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours because the flavors blend together. Make it up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container.
How do I prevent the powdered sugar from dissolving into the chocolate?
Let the chocolate coated cereal cool for a minute or two before adding the powdered sugar. If you add it while the chocolate is still really warm, it will absorb too much of the sugar.
Can I double this recipe for a party?
Yes, this recipe doubles easily. You’ll just need more gallon bags and mixing bowls. It’s a great recipe to make in bulk for Valentine’s Day class parties or treat bags.
What’s the best way to package this as gifts?
Put it in clear cellophane bags tied with pink or red ribbon, or use small Mason jars with festive labels. It looks really pretty layered in clear containers so you can see the pink and white colors.
More Valentine’s Day Treats
- Strawberry Fudge
- Valentine Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
- Valentine’s Day Candy Bark
- Valentine Peanut Butter Balls
- Valentine Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
- Easy Heart Shaped Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal divided
- 1 cup Vanilla almond bark
- 1 cup Pink strawberry candy melts
- ⅔ cup Powdered sugar divided
- 1 oz Freeze dried strawberries
- 1 cup White chocolate chips
- 20 vanilla Oreos broken into chunks
Instructions
- Add 4 cups of rice Chex into one of the gallon bags and 4 cups into the other bag.
- Melt the almond bark in a microwave safe bowl by microwaving in 30 second increments, stirring in between.
- Pour the melted almond bark into one bag. Close it and shake around to coat all the cereal.
- Add ⅓ cup of powdered sugar to the coated cereal and shake again to coat the almond bark.
- In another microwave safe bowl add the strawberry candy melts and melt in the microwave by microwaving in 30 second increments, stirring in between.
- Add the melted candy to the other bag of cereal. Close it and shake around to coat all the cereal.
- Add ⅓ cup of powdered sugar to the coated cereal and shake again to coat the almond bark.
- In a large bowl dump both bags of the chocolate coated cereal and add the dried strawberries, white chocolate chips and broken Oreo chunks. Toss gently and enjoy!
Notes
Pin This Post
Leave a Reply