Peanut Butter Chocolate Reindeer Chow


The Story & Intro

If there’s one holiday treat that instantly transports me back to childhood, it’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Reindeer Chow. Every December in Paris, my maman would let me stir melted chocolate in a big copper pot while she dusted the windows with fake snow. I didn’t grow up with “Reindeer Chow” specifically that’s something I discovered after moving to the U.S. but oh my friends, once I tasted it, I understood why American families go crazy for it during the holidays.

Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, your French-in-America kitchen fairy 🧚‍♀️🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I traded the cobblestones of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America, I’ve fallen in love with festive recipes that bring people together. And Peanut Butter Chocolate Reindeer Chow is one of those dishes that just radiates holiday cheer. The mix of chocolate, peanut butter, crunchy cereal, and snowy powdered sugar makes every handful feel like a treat straight from Santa’s workshop.

The first time I made Peanut Butter Chocolate Reindeer Chow for my American friends, I didn’t realize how iconic it was. I put out a bowl big, overflowing, glittering with red and green candies and within minutes, it was gone. Not a single crumb left. Someone even jokingly asked if reindeer had been nibbling on it.

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What I love about this festive treat is how easy it is. No baking, no complicated steps, just pure holiday joy. And because it’s so customizable, your kids, friends, and even your grumpy uncle who pretends he “doesn’t eat sweets” (we all know that guy 😆) will be sneaking handfuls.

I’ve since turned this into my go-to holiday snack for parties, cookie exchanges, and cozy movie nights. And each year, I hear the same thing:
“This is the BEST Peanut Butter Chocolate Reindeer Chow I’ve ever had!”

So today, I’m sharing my personal version the one that blends French holiday nostalgia with American festive flair. Whether you’re making it for a crowd or gifting little bags to neighbors, this recipe will be your new seasonal superstar.

Let’s dive into the chocolatey, peanut-buttery magic of Peanut Butter Chocolate Reindeer Chow! 🎄🍫🦌


Ingredients

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Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious holiday treat:

  • 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup red and green M&M’s
  • 1 cup mini pretzels
  • 1 cup holiday mini marshmallows (optional but adorable 🎄)
  • Christmas sprinkles (optional for extra sparkle ✨)

Step-by-Step Instructions

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Melt the chocolate mixture

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted. Add vanilla and stir again.

Coat the cereal

Place Rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm chocolate mixture over it and gently fold until all the cereal is completely coated.

Dust with powdered sugar

Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into a large zip-top bag with the powdered sugar. Shake like your life depends on it you want every piece perfectly snowy.

Add the magic

Pour the coated cereal into a big holiday bowl. Add M&M’s, mini pretzels, marshmallows, and Christmas sprinkles. Give it one gentle mix so every scoop feels festive.

Set and serve

Let the mixture cool for at least 10 minutes so the chocolate firms up. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to one week.


Serving Suggestions

  • Sprinkle it over ice cream for the ultimate winter sundae 🍨
  • Divide into cute holiday bags for neighbor gifts 🎁
  • Serve it in a big red bowl for Christmas Eve movie marathons 🎄
  • Add it to your holiday grazing board for extra crunch

Conclusion

There you have it, my friends a festive, crunchy, chocolate-covered bowl of happiness! Peanut Butter Chocolate Reindeer Chow is everything I adore about holiday cooking: simple, nostalgic, playful, and totally irresistible. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or devouring it during a cozy solo movie night (no judgment I do it too 😘), this treat will make your holidays sweeter and brighter.

And every time I make it, I feel a little thread connecting my Parisian childhood with my American traditions today. That’s the magic of cooking it ties memories, flavors, and people together in the most joyful way.


🎅✨ Recipe Card ✨🎅

⏱️ Time

  • Prep: 10 min
  • Total: 10 min

🛒 Ingredients

  • 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup holiday M&M’s
  • 1 cup pretzels
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • Festive sprinkles

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Melt chocolate, peanut butter, and butter until smooth.
  2. Stir in vanilla.
  3. Pour over cereal and mix gently.
  4. Shake with powdered sugar to coat.
  5. Add M&M’s, pretzels, marshmallows, and sprinkles.
  6. Cool and enjoy!

📝 Notes

  • Almond butter works great as a peanut-free alternative.
  • Add crushed peppermint for a candy cane twist!
  • Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

🍽️ Nutrition (per serving)

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Approximate

  • Calories: 285
  • Fat: 12g
  • Carbs: 38g
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Protein: 4g

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