Made these peppermint muddy buddies last night and my kitchen still smells like a candy cane! Started making these when I found leftover peppermint bark from Christmas - turns out it makes regular muddy buddies even better. They're so simple to throw together, and that chocolate-mint combo is addictive. Fair warning though: they disappear fast!
Why Make These
Needed a quick treat for my daughter's class party tomorrow - these take 15 minutes tops. The kids love anything with chocolate and mint, plus they're super fun to shake in the bag with powdered sugar. Made them three times last December for different holiday parties. The best part? No baking needed, and cleanup's just one bowl and a bag.
What You Need
- Chex cereal: Rice kind works best - stays crunchier than corn
- Peppermint bark: Break up a couple bars, or grab the bag of pieces from the candy aisle
- Powdered sugar: Regular powdered sugar from your pantry
Making It
- Get your sugar ready
- Pour powdered sugar in a big zip bag - this is for coating everything later
- Prep your cereal
- Put Chex in a big bowl where you've got room to stir
- Melt the bark
- Microwave in short bursts, stirring between - it burns fast if you're not careful
- Mix it up
- Pour melted bark over cereal, stir gently so you don't crush the pieces
- Shake time
- Put it all in the sugar bag and shake until everything's coated
- Let it set
- Spread on wax paper to cool - try not to snack on too many while you wait
Not Your Regular Muddy Buddies
The peppermint bark adds something special here - made these alongside regular chocolate ones last week and these disappeared first. That mix of dark and white chocolate from the bark makes them look fancy without extra work. Plus, the bits of candy cane give a nice crunch between the cereal pieces.
About The Ingredients
Found out store brand cereal works just fine here - save the fancy stuff for breakfast. If your peppermint bark's too thick, a few seconds more in the microwave helps it coat better. Tried fancy powdered sugar once - regular works exactly the same, so don't waste your money.
Time Saving Tips
Measure everything before starting - learned that after my first batch hardened while looking for powdered sugar. The cereal stays crunchier if you work quick once the chocolate's melted. Double-bagging helps prevent sugar clouds all over your kitchen (speaking from experience here).
Sharing The Love
These pack up great in mason jars for gifts - did that for teachers last year. They stay fresh about a week in a sealed container, if they last that long. Made the mistake of setting them out during movie night once - gone before the opening credits finished.
Good To Know
Most of my gluten-free friends can eat these since it's just Rice Chex. Check your peppermint bark though - some brands sneak in wheat. Made a batch with dark chocolate bark for my dairy-free neighbor - she loved them. Just keep them away from warm spots or they get sticky.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use white chocolate if I don't have peppermint bark?
Yes, white chocolate with a few drops of peppermint extract is a good substitute.
- How do I store these Muddy Buddies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Can this recipe be doubled?
Absolutely, just ensure you have a large enough mixing bowl.
- What’s a good substitute for rice Chex cereal?
You can use corn Chex or any similar type of cereal.
- Is it okay to melt the bark directly on the stove?
It's best to use a microwave or double boiler to prevent burning.
Some More Ideas
Peppermint fans will adore trying similar recipes like Peppermint Bark Hot Chocolate, which combines rich cocoa with peppermint bark, or Peppermint Pretzel Crisps that offer a crunchy, salty-sweet twist, perfect for holiday festivities.