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Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow

Strawberry shortcake puppy chow is a quick sweet snack mix with golden-coated Chex cereal pieces dusted in pink-and-white powdered coating. You’ll melt white chocolate, toss the cereal until glossy, then shake with the strawberry powder for that classic Puppy Chow crunch.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chex cereal
  • 3 cup Chex cereal Use plain Chex cereal for the classic crunchy base.
butter
  • 3 tbsp butter
white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
strawberry extract
  • 0.25 tsp strawberry extract
powdered sugar
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar
freeze-dried strawberries
  • 2 tbsp freeze-dried strawberries, crushed Crush until you get a powdery mix with a few small bits.
vanilla cake mix powder
  • 1 tbsp vanilla cake mix powder Adds the shortcake-style sweetness and light vanilla flavor.

Equipment

  • 1 microwave-safe bowl
  • 1 baking sheet
  • 1 zip-top bag

Method
 

Melt and coat
  1. Melt the butter and white chocolate chips together in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Watch for a glossy texture with no unmelted chips.
  2. Stir in the strawberry extract until fully incorporated, then give the mixture a quick smooth stir. The chocolate should look evenly tinted and fluid.
  3. Add the Chex cereal to the chocolate mixture and toss until all pieces are evenly coated. Keep tossing until every square looks lightly lacquered.
  4. Spread the coated cereal on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool for 2-3 minutes. You want the coating to set slightly so it won’t clump when bagged.
Dust with strawberry shortcake powder
  1. Combine the powdered sugar, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, and vanilla cake mix powder in a small bowl. Mix until the color looks like pink-and-white speckles.
  2. Transfer the warm cereal to a large zip-top bag, add the powdered sugar mixture, seal, and shake until all pieces are evenly coated. Shake firmly until you see a light dusting on every piece.
  3. Spread the coated cereal on parchment paper to cool completely before serving. Let it dry until the coating is set and no wet-looking streaks remain.

Notes

Pro tip: cool the coated cereal for 2–3 minutes before bagging so the powder clings without turning into gummy paste. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days; freeze for up to 1 month for best texture after thawing. For a dairy-free option, use dairy-free white chocolate chips and a plant-based butter alternative (the coating may be slightly less glossy).