Muddy Buddies

We first encountered this chocolatey snack mix at Girl Scout camp, many years ago. These days you can buy a bag of Chex-branded Muddy Buddies in the store, but it’s not quite the same as making it yourself. Since it’s a Girl Scout camp recipe, it’s kid-friendly. Expect a fun, chocolatey mess and giggles! Muddy Buddies is the second of my 25 Appetizers of Christmas.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 9 cups Rice Chex, Crispix, or Rice Krispies
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar

Directions

  1. Melt together the chocolate chips, peanut butter and vanilla over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid sticking.
  2. Add cereal and mix until well coated.
  3. Add powdered sugar and mix until coated.

Chilled Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookies

A recipe from the July 2011 issue of All You (original here). The note with the recipe explains, “Simple to make and costing less than 10 ¢ per serving, dessert does not get any cheaper than this! For variety, you can use a different type of cereal, or swap chopped nuts for the coconut.”

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 3 cups corn flakes, lightly crushed

Directions

  1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Place a small skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add coconut and toast, stirring constantly, until light golden, 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Transfer to a bowl; let cool.
  5. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, corn syrup and peanut butter.
  6. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring, then remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips and cocoa.
  7. Continue stirring until chocolate chips have melted, then stir in cereal and toasted coconut until well coated.
  8. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheet and refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Makes 40 cookies.