Description
Caramel Apple Puppy Chow: A sweet, crispy fall snack youll adore! Easy to make, it blends apple, caramel & chocolate flavors. Ideal for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- Cereal Base:
- 9 cups crispy rice cereal
- Caramel & Chocolate Coating:
- 12 oz white chocolate chips
- 1 cup caramel bits
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp milk
- Apple Flavor & Crunch:
- 1 cup dehydrated apple chips, crushed slightly
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Finishing Touches:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prep Your Cereal Base:: First things first, grab a really big bowl – seriously, bigger than you think you’ll need. Gently pour in your crispy rice cereal. You want to keep those little squares intact, so no aggressive dumping! This is where the magic starts, setting up for that delicious caramel apple puppy chow goodness. I always make sure I have enough room for stirring later, because nobody wants cereal flying out everywhere. It’s all about making space for the deliciousness to come.
- Melt the White Chocolate:: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine your white chocolate chips. Heat them in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until it’s smooth and creamy. Be patient here; white chocolate can be a bit finicky and seize up if it gets too hot. I’ve definitely scorched a batch or two, and that’s just a sad waste of chocolate. You’re looking for a silky texture, no lumps allowed for this caramel apple puppy chow base.
- Coat the Cereal with Chocolate:: Pour that glorious melted white chocolate over your cereal in the big bowl. Now, with a spatula, gently fold it all together until every single piece of cereal is coated. This takes a little finesse; you don’t want to crush the cereal. Just keep folding until it looks like a beautiful, snowy landscape. This step is crucial for the crispy texture of your caramel apple puppy chow, so take your time and be thorough!
- Make the Caramel Sauce:: In a separate microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramel bits, butter, and milk. Heat this mixture in 30-second bursts, stirring until it’s completely smooth and pourable. This is where the kitchen starts smelling incredible, like a bustling autumn fair! Ensure there are no stubborn caramel lumps; you want a uniform, glossy sauce ready to transform your caramel apple puppy chow. Don’t rush it, that perfect caramel is worth the wait.
- Combine Caramel and Apple:: Pour the warm caramel sauce over the chocolate-coated cereal. Add your dehydrated apple chips and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Gently fold everything together again, making sure the caramel and apples are evenly distributed. This step really brings the “caramel apple puppy chow” flavor to life. I once forgot the cinnamon here, and it was good, but not *that* good. Don’t make my mistake!
- Dust with Powdered Sugar:: Transfer the entire mixture into a large, sturdy zip-top bag. Add the powdered sugar, seal it up tight (remember my kitchen snowstorm!), and shake, shake, shake! You want every piece coated in that lovely white dust. This is the fun part, and it truly makes it puppy chow. Keep shaking until it looks completely coated and ready for snacking. It’s the final touch for our caramel apple puppy chow masterpiece!