Cake Batter Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies) is a fun twist on a classic treat. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s great for birthday parties, movie nights, and afternoon snacks alike! It’s sweet, crunchy, and tons of fun to make.
I grew up calling this treat “puppy chow” but lots of folks think of it as “muddy buddies” instead. Either way, this treat has been a staple for decades, especially in the Midwest where I’m originally from.
This cake batter version gives the classic chocolate peanut butter version a fun, sprinkly upgrade by swapping the chocolate for sweet vanilla cake mix and white candy coating. It’s the kind of playful twist that turns a nostalgic favorite into something brand new while keeping all the addictive crunch. And I seriously do mean to warn you that it is hard to stop from taking “just one more” handful of this stuff!
It scales up beautifully for a crowd but works just as well in smaller batches when you want something special for the family. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s become one of those recipes I reach for again and again for birthdays, game days, or anytime we need a happy little boost.
For more sweet and crunchy no-bake treats like this one, check out my Puppy Chow (aka Chex Mix Muddy Buddies), Christmas Puppy Chow, Lucky Charms Snack Mix, and Candy Coated Crispix Mix!
Why you’ll love this family favorite recipe!
- It comes together in just 15 minutes, so you can have a big batch ready before guests arrive without any kitchen stress.
- It hits that ideal sweet-crunchy balance with real cake batter flavor and colorful rainbow sprinkles that make it irresistible for kids and adults alike.
- This is a great recipe for parties! You can easily double or triple it to make enough for a crowd or individual portions.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Boxed White, Vanilla, or Funfetti Cake Mix – This brings the nostalgic cake batter flavor.
- Powdered Sugar – Adds sweetness and creates that signature powdery coating.
- Rainbow Sprinkles – You can use rainbow sprinkles or nonpareils for a little more crunch.
- Rice Chex Cereal – The crisp base that stays crunchy.
- White Candy Coating – My go-to is Kroger brand white vanilla candy coating in the convenient microwave-safe tray. Ghirardelli and Wilton melting wafers are also excellent.
How to Make Cake Batter Puppy Chow
- Preheat oven. Set your oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat-treat cake mix. Spread the cake mix in an even layer across the parchment and bake for 7-10 minutes. Let it cool completely.
- Make Cake Mix Coating. Transfer the cooled cake mix to a gallon zip-top bag or large bowl, then add the powdered sugar and rainbow sprinkles. Seal the bag and shake well, or whisk everything together if using a bowl.
- Prepare Cereal. Pour the Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl. Microwave the white candy coating in 20-30 second bursts, stirring between each, until fully smooth and melted. Pour the melted coating over the cereal.
- Coat cereal. Gently toss or stir until every piece is evenly covered.
- Combine everything. Spoon the coated cereal into the bag or bowl with the cake mix mixture.
- Shake and serve. Seal the bag and shake vigorously to coat everything, or toss gently in the bowl until well combined. Enjoy right away!
Recipe FAQ’s
Usually it’s because you didn’t toss with the powdered sugar mixture right after coating the pieces in the chocolate mixture. I like having everything right at hand to coat, then immediately toss. After a few seconds of tossing you can get in with your hands and separate any larger clumps and toss again to get more uniformly coated pieces.
It keeps beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. After that it starts to lose its crunch, so it’s best enjoyed within the first few days.
Yes, you can freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours before serving so it stays nice and crunchy.
Absolutely! Make it up to 2 days in advance and store it in a zip-top bag or sealed container at room temperature. Give the bag a quick shake right before serving to refresh the coating.
Tips for Success
- Always heat-treat the cake mix first because raw flour can harbor bacteria. You can do this in the oven as directed or in the microwave in 20-second intervals until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- When melting the white candy coating, go slow with short 20-30 second bursts and stir well between each one so it stays smooth and doesn’t seize up on you.
- Let the candy-coated cereal cool for just a couple of minutes before adding it to the cake mix bag; this helps the powdered sugar and sprinkles stick beautifully without clumping.
- Shake the bag with some real enthusiasm after combining everything – that thorough coating is what makes every bite taste like cake batter heaven. My kids like doing this bit!
- I figure about one cup of the finished Puppy Chow per serving, but you can stretch it to 12-16 smaller portions if needed.
Substitutions and Variations
- If white candy coating isn’t available, white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate bars work great, though you’ll want to melt them gently over a double boiler or in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat for best results.
- Feel free to play with the sprinkles. Use rod-shaped jimmies instead of nonpareils, or switch up the colors to match birthday themes, holidays, or team spirit.
- The cake mix is flexible too: I prefer white or vanilla, but yellow, funfetti, or even strawberry flavored cake mix all make delicious variations.
- For a slightly less sweet version, reduce the powdered sugar by a couple of tablespoons or go lighter on the candy coating.
More Sweet & Crunchy Snacks You’ll Love
- Halloween Chex Mix Muddy Buddies
- Classic Homemade Chex Mix
- Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies Cookies
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
- Valentine Chex Mix
- Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats
- Scotcheroos
Cake Batter Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 1 boxed white or vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 16 ounces white candy coating
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325℉ (163℃). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the cake mix over the parchment paper, smoothing it out in a level layer from edge to edge. Bake for 7-10 minutes, then set aside to cool completely.1 boxed white or vanilla cake mix
- Transfer the cooled, heat-treated cake mix to a gallon-sized zip lock bag or large mixing bowl. Add the powdered sugar and sprinkles.1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles
- Seal the bag and shake to combine, or whisk to combine if using a bowl.
- Pour the Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl.8 cups Rice Chex cereal
- In a microwave-safe container, melt the white candy coating in 20-30 second intervals until completely smooth and melted throughout.16 ounces white candy coating
- Pour the white candy coating over the cereal and gently toss to coat.
- Spoon the candy-coated cereal into the zip lock bag or mixing bowl containing the cake mix/sprinkle mixture.
- Seal the bag and shake well to coat the cereal, or gently toss to coat the cereal in the cake mix/sprinkle mixture all over, and serve.
Notes
- Heat-treat the cake mix (oven or microwave to 165°F) to make it safe to eat.
- Makes about 8 servings (1 cup each); can stretch to 12-16 smaller portions.
- Storage: Store in a zip-top bag or airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days for best texture and flavor. Keeping it airtight is key to maintaining crispiness.
- Refrigeration: Do not store in the fridge – it can become soggy and stale-tasting.
- Freezing: Freeze in an airtight freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
- Make Ahead: This recipe can be made 1-2 days in advance. Store airtight at room temperature and give the bag a quick shake before serving.
