If you’ve never tried caramel puppy chow, you’re in for a treat! This is my candy-loaded spin on classic puppy chow, featuring a rich caramel-chocolate coating and chopped Milky Way bars for an extra burst of flavor. It’s crunchy, sweet, and dangerously addictive. I make this caramel chocolate Chex mix every Halloween to use up leftover candy, but it’s just as perfect for game nights, parties, or a cozy movie night on the couch.
Chocolate Puppy Chow with Milky Way Candy
This caramel puppy chow is the stuff dreams are made of. I melt chocolate, caramel squares, and butter together for the ultimate sweet coating, then toss it with Chex cereal until every piece is glossy and rich. A quick shake in powdered sugar creates that iconic puppy chow finish, and a handful of chopped Milky Way bars takes it over the top.
The best part? This caramel chocolate Chex mix is no-bake and comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s one of those treats that disappears fast, so I always double the batch when friends are coming over.
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Avoid Sticky, Soggy Puppy Chow
Caramel can stay tacky longer than plain chocolate, which can lead to clumps and soggy bites if you toss it in sugar too soon. I always let my coated cereal sit for 2-3 minutes before adding the powdered sugar. This short “cooling window” helps the coating start to set without hardening fully. The sugar sticks perfectly, creating a crisp shell around each piece instead of melting into a sticky mess.
Caramel Puppy Chow Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 7 cups Rice Chex cereal *
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 20 Kraft caramel squares **
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into small cubes (¾ stick)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup chopped Milky Way candy bars (about 3 candy bars)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place Rice Chex cereal in large bowl. Set aside.7 cups Rice Chex cereal
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, caramels, and butter on high for 1 minute. Stir well. If not fully melted, continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until fully melted.1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 20 Kraft caramel squares, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pour melted chocolate mixture into cereal. Stir well until all the cereal is coated in chocolate mixture. Stir gently so you don’t crush the cereal pieces.
- Pour the powdered sugar into the cereal mixture and toss well until all the cereal is coated in powdered sugar.2 cups powdered sugar
- Pour the cereal mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the candy bar pieces over top.1 cup chopped Milky Way candy bars
- Place the entire baking sheet of puppy chow in the refrigerator for 20 minutes so the chocolate sets and hardens a bit, then break up (if necessary) and store in an airtight container or Ziplock bag.
Notes
- Cutting the butter into small cubes helps it melt faster in the microwave before the caramels start overheating.
- Do not overcook the microwaved ingredients! If it’s too hot, it will burn and not taste right. Additionally, it could melt and scald the Chex Mix, ruining the entire consistency of the mix.
- Honestly, there’s no rule as to how much powdered sugar goes into your puppy chow. While this recipe calls for 2 cups, you may need more than that as you toss your ingredients in the bag. You really want to make sure you have enough powdered sugar to cover every single piece of this mix, so don’t be afraid to add a little more as you go. The more sugar, the better, right?!
How to Make Milky Way Caramel Puppy Chow Step-by-Step
Gather your Ingredients: Gather up everything you need to begin. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Cut the butter into small cubes and chop the Milky Way candy bars.
Melt the Chocolate and Caramels: Place 7 cups of Rice Chex cereal in a large bowl and set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 cup of chocolate chips, 20 Kraft caramel squares, and 6 tablespoons of cubed unsalted butter on high for 1 minute. Stir well. If not fully melted, continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until fully melted.
Coat the Cereal: Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the cereal. Stir well until all the cereal is coated in the chocolate mixture. Stir gently so you don’t crush the cereal pieces.
Toss with Powdered Sugar: Pour 2 cups of powdered sugar into the cereal mixture and toss well until all the cereal is coated in powdered sugar.
Dry the Puppy Chow: Pour the cereal mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out in an even layer. Sprinkle 1 cup of Milky Way candy bar pieces over the top. Place the entire baking sheet of puppy chow in the refrigerator for 20 minutes so the chocolate sets and hardens a bit, then break up (if necessary) and store in an airtight container or Ziplock bag.
How to Store
Store leftover chocolate caramel puppy chow in an airtight container or Ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw on the counter before enjoying cold or at room temperature.
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