Cake Batter Puppy Chow

 Cake Batter Puppy Chow
Makes 6 cups

• 12 ounces white chocolate candy melts or white chocolate chips (though candy melts are more "melty" thus easier to work with, I think the chips taste better)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 cups white or yellow cake mix (powdered- funfetti is extra fun with the added sprinkles)
• 2 tablespoons colored sprinkles
• 6 cups rice chex cereal

1. In a double boiler (or the microwave on 50% power) melt the white chocolate until smooth and runny.
2. In a small bowl, combine cake mix, powdered sugar, and sprinkles and stir to combine. Set aside. 
3. Measure out the 6 cups of cereal into a large bowl, drizzle the chocolate all over and use 2 forks to gently toss the cereal to coat each piece. 
4. Once cereal is completely coated in white chocolate, dump the cake mix/sugar mixture on top and gently toss again with the forks to coat each piece. 
5. Spread out on parchment paper to cool completely then store in a gallon ziplock bag for later (if you have the self-control!) or enjoy right away!


I am not really a cake batter crazed fan- there are many out there, I know, but I was still interested in trying this recipe because I'm a fan of white chocolate and cereal- like these blizzard bars.  And hello- these were awesome!  Sugar overload, definitely, but a great snack treat that seems okay because it is made out of cereal!  Easy, easy to make, and addictive.  Not overbearing on the cake batter flavor at all.  

Choco Peanut Butter Bars

Buckeye Bars
(adapted from kraft.com)

• 1/2 cup butter, softened (I got away with 1/4 c.)
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 22 Nilla Wafers, crushed (3/4 c.) (graham crackers work too, enough for 3/4 c.)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 of 8-oz. tub Whipped Topping
• 2/3 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Line 8-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Beat butter and peanut butter with mixer until blended. Mix in wafer crumbs. Gradually add sugar, mixing well after each addition. Press onto bottom of pan.
2. Microwave whipped topping and chocolate in microwaveable bowl on high 1 min; stir. Microwave 15 to 30 sec. or until chocolate is melted; stir until blended. Spread over peanut butter layer.
3. Refrigerate 2 hours. Use foil handles to lift dessert from pan before cutting to serve.

These are rich little bars, as you can probably tell by the list of ingredients! They are tasty, though. Something akin to Reese's....quick to make. The pb layer is about half the size as the picture I got on the internet, but of course you could make whatever ratio pb-choc as you prefer.

If you have extra Fruity Pebbles on hand-

Pebbles Cupcakes
(kraftfoods.com)

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 1 pkg. (10-1/2 oz.) mini-marshmallows (6 cups)
• 1 pkg. (13 oz.) fruit-flavored sweetened rice cereal (about 8-1/2 cups)
• 1 can (16 oz.) ready-to-spread frosting 1/4 cup colored sprinkles (optional)

1. Microwave butter in 4-qt. microwaveable bowl on high 45 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows; mix to coat. Microwave 1-1/2 min. or until marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 45 sec. Add cereal; mix well.
2. Press cereal mixture firmly into 24 lightly greased muffin pans to form "cupcakes," using about 1/3 cup cereal mixture for each cup. Cool; remove from pans.
3. Spread with frosting just before serving. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.

These are a sugar hit with kids. Cute, colorful, sweet, different...and they are easy to make.