Fall Muddy Buddies are a deliciously sweet and salty snack mix, combining the rich creaminess of peanut butter and chocolate with the salty crunch of pretzels and the sweet pop of fall-colored M&M's and Reese's.
2 Gallon zip-top bags, for tossing mix with powdered sugar
Ingredients
9cupsCorn Chex cereal
½cupcreamy peanut butter
1cupmilk chocolate chipsor semi-sweet (Note 1)
4tablespoonsunsalted butter
¼teaspoonfine sea salt
1teaspoonvanilla extractoptional
2cupspowdered sugar,separated
1½cupspretzel twists,broken
1cupred, orange, yellow, and brown M&M's (or Reese's pieces)
1cupminiature Reese's(Note 2)
Instructions
CEREAL: Place the cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
PEANUT BUTTER-CHOCOLATE MIXTURE: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter, chocolate chips, butter, and salt. Heat the mixture in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval until smooth and fully melted. If desired, stir in the vanilla extract.
COAT CEREAL: Pour the melted peanut butter-chocolate mixture over the cereal. Gently stir to coat each piece evenly, taking care not to crush the cereal.
SUGAR COATING: Divide the coated cereal into two batches. For the first batch, use a large resealable plastic bag and layer as follows: ½ cup powdered sugar, and half of the cereal mixture, followed by another ½ cup of powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake well until the cereal pieces are well-coated with sugar. Remove the contents to a clean bowl. Repeat this process for the second batch of cereal, and then combine both sugar-coated batches in the same bowl.
MIX-INS: To the bowl of sugar-coated cereal, add the broken pretzels, miniature Reese's cups, and ¾ cup of the M&M's or Reese's Pieces. Gently mix to incorporate. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of M&M's or Reese's Pieces over the top for decoration.
STORAGE: Serve immediately, or keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Alternatively, you can freeze it and enjoy straight from the freezer (SO good!)
Video
Notes
Note 1: Chocolate chips: The type of chocolate chips used affects the final taste. Milk chocolate chips will make the mixture sweeter and creamier, whereas semi-sweet chips will provide a richer, more robust chocolate flavor. Using high-quality chocolate chips is recommended for the best melting and flavor.Note 2: Mini Reese's: If you can't find minis, just chop up some regular-sized Reese's peanut butter cups. If you're into Trader Joe's, try their milk chocolate mini peanut butter cups -- they're our fave!