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Whipped up these peppermint muddy buddies yesterday—my kitchen still smells like candy canes. Started making 'em when I found some leftover peppermint bark from the holidays. Turns out, it gives usual muddy buddies a whole new flavor. Super easy to toss together. Chocolate-mint is hard to stop eating. Just saying: you'll blink and the bowl's empty.
Why Try This
Had to bring a snack for my kid’s class tomorrow—these take barely 15 minutes. Kids fall for anything chocolate-minty, plus shaking them up with sugar is half the fun. I made these three different times for holiday get-togethers last December. The real benefit: you skip baking, and everything cleans up with a bowl and one bag.What You'll Need
- Peppermint bark: Snap up a few bars or grab those small pieces from the candy shelf
- Powdered sugar: Standard stuff you already have works great
- Chex cereal: Rice version is crunchier than corn, so go with that
Making These
- Wait for it to cool
- Spread everything on wax paper so it firms up—hard not to nibble while it rests
- All about the shake
- Dump the mix in your sugar bag and shake till it’s all white and coated
- Get mixing
- Pour your melted bark over the cereal and fold it gently—don’t smash it up
- Melt the bark
- Toss chunks in the microwave, short bursts, stirring between so it won’t scorch
- Set up your cereal
- Pour Chex into a big bowl—you want lots of space to stir
- Prep the sugar bag
- Fill a big zip-top bag with powdered sugar for that final coating
Amazing Muddy Buddies
Peppermint bark really makes these pop—I actually had them next to regular chocolate ones and these vanished first. Getting both dark and white chocolate in the bark makes them look impressive but it’s no extra work. Plus, candy cane bits add a little crunch between the cereal bites.More on The Ingredients
Found out generic cereal totally works here—save the name brand for breakfast. If your peppermint bark’s super thick, just zap it a few extra seconds so it gets melty enough to coat. Tried the pricey powdered sugar and honestly, stick with basic—the difference is zero.Fast Tricks
Grab and measure everything first—trust me, I learned the hard way when my first batch set before I found the sugar. Move fast with melted chocolate if you want your cereal to stay crisp. Use two bags to shake—makes for way less powdery mess flying everywhere (learned that firsthand).Spread Some Cheer
These work awesome as gifts in mason jars—did that for my kids’ teachers last year. They’ll keep for around a week sealed up—if you don’t eat ‘em all before then. Put a bowl out for movie night once and they were gone before the film even started.Things to Remember
Most Rice Chex is gluten-free, so my friends with allergies are good to go. But make sure your peppermint bark doesn’t sneak in wheat. Used dark chocolate bark for my dairy-free neighbor—they loved it. Don’t let them sit somewhere hot or they’ll get all sticky.Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can white chocolate replace peppermint bark?
Yep, just add some peppermint extract to white chocolate for the same vibe.
- → What’s the best way to store these?
Pop them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for about a week.
- → Can I double this snack mix?
Of course, just use an extra-large bowl for mixing.
- → Is there a substitute for rice Chex cereal?
Corn Chex or any similar crunch works great instead.
- → Can I melt the bark straight on the stove?
It’s safer to microwave it or use a double boiler to avoid burning it.
Conclusion
Love peppermint treats? Try Peppermint Bark Hot Chocolate, blending creamy cocoa and mint, or Peppermint Pretzel Crisps—a salty, crunchy twist that’s perfect for the holidays.