Easy Valentine Muddy Buddies Recipe
Looking for the perfect way to make Valentine’s Day extra special? Make Valentine Muddy Buddies! These sweet treats are not only delicious but also super fun to make. Whether you’re planning a party or just want some festive treats to share with your favorite people, this recipe is sure to win hearts. Get ready to mix up something magical and spread a little love with every bite!
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If you’re looking to put a Valentine’s day twist on a muddy buddy recipe, you’ve found a great recipe. Between muddy buddies and Chex mix, my family loves these treats. The original Chex mix my mom always made is one of the most popular recipes on the blog. Christmas muddy buddies became a new favorite this last holiday season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and Crunchy: It’s the perfect mix of sweet and crunchy that makes every bite satisfying.
- Strawberry Flavor: The strawberry sugar coating is fruity and delicious, like a treat straight from a candy shop.
- Easy to Share: You can make a big batch and share it with friends during movie night, sleepovers, or at school. Wrap up individual bags for sharing.
- Quick and Fun to Make: It’s easy to whip them up, and you’ll have a fun snack ready in no time. This sweet treat is ready in under 20 minutes.
- Perfect Treat for Any Time: Whether you’re craving a snack or celebrating something special, strawberry puppy chow is always a good idea.
Ingredients for Valentine Muddy Buddies
All of the simple ingredients are readily available. I got everything I needed at Walmart. The prep time is minimal. Melting the chocolate takes the most time.
- Corn Chex Cereal – Rice Chex cereal is usually my go-to for any muddy buddies recipe but I had corn Chex on hand. I love the flavor it brings to the delicious treat.
- Honey Nut Cheerios
- White Chocolate Chips – Use a quality white chocolate chip. My favorite is Ghirardelli. This will probably work with white almond bark too. I stay away from candy melts because they are so waxy.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries – Freeze-dried fruit is usually found in the snack aisle in the grocery store. I pulsed a one-ounce package into a fine powder, it was slightly more than 1 1/2 cups.
- Confectioners’ Sugar
- Valentine M&M Candies – The mix with pink, white, and red candies.
- Valentine’s Sprinkles – I used a red and pink valentine sprinkles mix and heart-shaped sprinkles.
Equipment
You’ll need these tools to make this Valentine’s muddy buddies recipe.
- Double Boiler
- Rubber Spatula – see my pro tip below.
- Food Processor – for the freeze-dried strawberries. I used my mini version.
- Large Spoons
- Large Bowl – you need two big bowls, use the largest you have.
- Measuring Cups
- Sifter
- Ziplock Bag – you need gallon size ziplock bags.
- Airtight Container – for storing the candy-coated chex.
Find the full recipe and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
Pro Tip
When melting chocolate only use a rubber spatula. Make sure there are no knicks or cuts in the spatula. Wooden spoons can harbor water in cracks which will make the chocolate seize. Seized chocolate cannot be saved. You must start over.
- 1. Strawberry and powdered sugar mixture.
- 2. Melting white chocolate chips.
- 3. Combine white chocolate and the cereal mixture.
- 4. Cereal and white chocolate mixed in a bowl.
Secrets to Success
There is nothing tricky about making this recipe but there are some tips I’d like to share that I learned while making it.
- Melting chocolate can be tricky. First, heed the pro tip I mentioned above. Second, don’t rush melting chocolate. I prefer to melt chocolate in a double boiler. While you can use a makeshift one with a heatproof bowl over water I find it hard to control a bowl without a handle. If you have success melting chocolate in the microwave feel free to do so. Sometimes I add a teaspoon shortening to the chocolate chips.
- Mixing the cereal is challenging. Use the largest spoon you have or even two spoons to thoroughly coat the cereal. I ended up putting on food safe gloves and using my hands.
- The best way to grind the freeze dried strawberries is with a food processor. If you don’t have a food processor try a blender. Process in batches rather than all at once.
- To coat the cereal mixture in the sugar mixture, put it in the ziplock bag and add the sugar mixture. Seal it tightly and shake well, coating the cereal.
More Muddy Buddy Recipes
If you love this Valentine’s version of muddy buddies try Easter muddy buddies or Halloween muddy buddies. Easter muddy buddies uses a couple of colors of candy melts. Creamsicle puppy chow is perfect for summer.
What is the best way to store Valentine muddy buddies, aka puppy chow?
It’s best to store Valentine muddy buddies in an airtight container. I like the OXO pop containers but a ziploc plastic bag also works. Store them at room temperature on the counter for up to a week, if they last that long.
How can I serve pink muddy buddies?
While I specifically made this for Valentine’s Day you could also serve them for a bridal shower or baby shower. Package them in cellophane bags for party favors.
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and 5-star review on the recipe card below. If you really love this recipe, please share it on your social media!
Valentine Muddy Buddies
Equipment
- Mini Food Processor
- 2 Large Mixing Bowls
- Double Boiler optional
- Rubber Spatula
- Ziploc Bag
- Large Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups freeze-dried strawberries (I used a 1 ounce package)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 package Ghirardelli white chips (11 ounce size)
- 5 cups Chex corn cereal
- 4 ½ cups honey nut Cheerios
- 1 ½ cups Valentine's M&M candies
- ½ cup Valentine's sprinkles
Instructions
- Add the freeze-dried strawberries to the bowl of a food processor. You can do this in batches or all at once. Pulse until they are finely ground. You want them as fine as powdered sugar.1 ½ cups freeze-dried strawberries (I used a 1 ounce package)
- Sift the powdered sugar and ground freeze-dried strawberries together in a medium bowl. Transfer mixture to a zipper bag. Set aside.1 cup powdered sugar
- In a large bowl gently toss the Corn Chex cereal and Honey Nut Cheerios together. Set aside.5 cups Chex corn cereal, 4 ½ cups honey nut Cheerios
- Melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler or according to package directions until smooth.1 package Ghirardelli white chips (11 ounce size)
- Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture and stir gently to combine, coating the cereal completely.
- Add cereal mixture to zipper bag with powdered sugar mixture. Close the bag and shake the bag to coat the cereal with the powdered sugar. This will take quite a few shakes just make sure the bag is securely closed.
- Once the cereal mixture is completely covered with strawberry powdered sugar, transfer it to a clean large bowl. Add M&M candies and sprinkles. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.1 ½ cups Valentine's M&M candies, ½ cup Valentine's sprinkles
Meet Ellen
Recipe Creator ~ Food Writer ~ Food Photographer
Hi, I’m Ellen and welcome to Family Around the Table where I share recipes the whole family will enjoy. They are also easy to make. With 20 years of experience in food writing and recipe creation, you will surely find something for everyone. Read more by clicking About Ellen below.
Favorite Recipe: Almond Crusted Chicken
Favorite Cookie: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut
Favorite Cocktail: Frozen Strawberry Margarita
Favorite Dessert: Hershey Bar Pie
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The sweet suble strawberry flavor makes this muddy buddy mix perfect for gift giving.