I can’t resist sharing my take on Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow. I mixed Rice Chex cereal with cream cheese, unsalted butter and a splash of vanilla extract. A drizzle of cherry preserves and white chocolate chips, plus freeze-dried cherries and graham cracker crumbs, make this Cherry Puppy Chow a delightful party mix.

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I recently came up with my own version of Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow and I gotta say its pretty wild how all the flavors come together. I like to mix 9 cups of Rice Chex cereal with 8 oz of softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup unsalted butter that I melt with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

The twist comes when I stir in 1/4 cup of cherry preserves and 6 oz white chocolate chips. Then I toss it all with 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 cup crushed freeze-dried cherries and 1 cup graham cracker crumbs.

I never thought that a snack meant for fun fundraisers or even a party mix at work would turn out this awesome. It may sound like one of those crazy Chex snacks recipes, but trust me its a unique treat that makes for a perfect snack to bring to a potluck or even give as a gift.

Enjoy the process and surprise yourself with every crunchy bite!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it combines sweet and tangy flavors that just make my taste buds go crazy. I love how the cream cheese and butter melt together with the cherry preserves, giving the cereal a rich creamy coat that is super delicious. The crunch from the freeze-dried cherries and graham cracker crumbs adds an extra kick of texture that makes every bite fun, and its a really simple treat to make that still feels fancy. Plus, the white chocolate chips melt just right creating pockets of sweetness that are totally addictive.

Ingredients

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Rice Chex cereal: Crunchy, energy-packed carbs that add texture; not very high in fiber but perfect for a fun snack.
Cream cheese: Creamy and tangy, brings richness along with a bit of protein; it’s indulgent and smooth.
Cherry preserves: Provides a sweet yet tart twist with natural fruit flavors; adds a gorgeous color pop too.
White chocolate chips: Offer a soft, sugary burst that balances the tang with pure mouthwatering sweetness.
Graham cracker crumbs: Give a buttery crunch and delicate sweetness; they remind you of a classic cheesecake base.

Ingredient Quantities

9 cups Rice Chex cereal

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup cherry preserves

6 oz white chocolate chips

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup crushed freeze-dried cherries

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

How to Make this

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1. In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the cream cheese and butter together in 30-second bursts, stir in between until they are completely smooth.

2. Stir in the vanilla extract and cherry preserves until well combined.

3. Pour this warm mix over the Rice Chex cereal in a large bowl and gently stir until every piece is coated.

4. Let the mix sit for about 5 minutes so that the warmth softens the white chocolate chips.

5. Now add the white chocolate chips and stir again to combine.

6. Sprinkle in the powdered sugar and give it another good stir, making sure it coats the cereal evenly.

7. Mix in the crushed freeze-dried cherries and graham cracker crumbs for that extra crunch and flavor.

8. Wait a minute if you want the white chocolate to melt a bit more, then stir it in one last time.

9. Spread your mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to cool completely.

10. Once cool, enjoy your Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow or store it in an airtight container for later snacking.

Equipment Needed

1. Microwave-safe bowl (enough space to mix cream cheese and butter)
2. Microwave for heating the mix in 30-sec bursts
3. Large mixing bowl to combine the Rice Chex with the warm mixture
4. Spoon or spatula to stir the ingredients well
5. Measuring cups and spoons to get the ingredient amounts right
6. Baking sheet lined with parchment paper to spread and cool the mix

FAQ

Q: What exactly is Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow?

A: Its a fun twist on a classic snack mix. The cherry preserves and crushed freeze-dried cherries give it a cheesecake-like taste that makes it more like a dessert.

Q: Can I use a different cereal instead of Rice Chex?

A: Yes you can try corn flakes or even similar cereal, but keep in mind that it might affect the crunch factor a bit.

Q: How should I melt the white chocolate chips and cream cheese?

A: Melt them together on a low heat in a saucepan. Make sure you stir constantly so you don’t end up with a lumpy mess.

Q: How long does Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow last?

A: Store it in an airtight container at room temperature and it should last up to a week. But be honest its probably gonna vanish way sooner!

Q: Can i add any other mix-ins?

A: Absolutely! You can toss in some extra freeze-dried cherries or even chopped nuts if you wanna vary the texture and flavor.

Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of softened cream cheese, you could try using Neufchatel cheese. It’s pretty similar in taste but a bit lower in fat.
If you cant get unsalted butter, regular salted butter works fine. Some folks even use margarine when they’re in a hurry.
White chocolate chips can be swapped with milk chocolate chips if you ever want a richer flavor in your puppy chow.
You can sub graham cracker crumbs with vanilla wafer crumbs or even crushed digestive biscuits if thats what you have on hand.
If you run out of powdered sugar, just blitz some granulated sugar with a little bit of cornstarch until it turns to powder.

Pro Tips

1. When warming the cream cheese and butter, make sure you stir it every 30 seconds so it doesnt get too hot and split; a little extra stirring goes a long way in keeping it smooth.
2. Let the warm mix sit over the cereal for a few extra minutes if possible. This extra resting time helps the white chocolate chips melt just right and gives the treats a better overall texture.
3. Be gentle when mixing in the cereal. If you stir too hard you might break the pieces and lose that nice crunch that makes the snack special.
4. For even more flavor, try using a higher quality cherry preserve. A good quality preserve can really boost the overall taste, making each bite a bit more delicious.

Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

I can't resist sharing my take on Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow. I mixed Rice Chex cereal with cream cheese, unsalted butter and a splash of vanilla extract. A drizzle of cherry preserves and white chocolate chips, plus freeze-dried cherries and graham cracker crumbs, make this Cherry Puppy Chow a delightful party mix.

Servings

servings

Calories

200

kcal

Equipment: 1. Microwave-safe bowl (enough space to mix cream cheese and butter)
2. Microwave for heating the mix in 30-sec bursts
3. Large mixing bowl to combine the Rice Chex with the warm mixture
4. Spoon or spatula to stir the ingredients well
5. Measuring cups and spoons to get the ingredient amounts right
6. Baking sheet lined with parchment paper to spread and cool the mix

Ingredients

9 cups Rice Chex cereal
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup cherry preserves
6 oz white chocolate chips
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup crushed freeze-dried cherries
1 cup graham cracker crumbs

Directions

In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the cream cheese and butter together in 30-second bursts, stir in between until they are completely smooth.
Stir in the vanilla extract and cherry preserves until well combined.
Pour this warm mix over the Rice Chex cereal in a large bowl and gently stir until every piece is coated.
Let the mix sit for about 5 minutes so that the warmth softens the white chocolate chips.
Now add the white chocolate chips and stir again to combine.
Sprinkle in the powdered sugar and give it another good stir, making sure it coats the cereal evenly.
Mix in the crushed freeze-dried cherries and graham cracker crumbs for that extra crunch and flavor.
Wait a minute if you want the white chocolate to melt a bit more, then stir it in one last time.
Spread your mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to cool completely.
Once cool, enjoy your Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow or store it in an airtight container for later snacking.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.