I am finally getting to holiday baking this season (I use the word BAKING loosely, because this recipe doesn’t actually use an oven!) I feel like the last person on the planet to try making muddy buddies aka puppy chow. And I’ll tell you why.

Our family has a lot of food allergies. Our son has a peanut allergy, my husband has tree nut allergies, and we found out this year our daughter also has tree nut allergies. Traditional muddy buddies use peanut butter. There are alternatives–almond butter and Nutella, but those are made with tree nuts. So I mulled over it and came up with this recipe! Personally I think they taste fabulous–we’ve been munching on the leftovers way too much. They have a light gingerbread flavor to them, along with the addictive crunchy and sweet.

Scroll down for the Cookie Butter Muddy Buddies recipe with step by step pictures!

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Cookie Butter Muddy Buddies
(a peanut free alternative)

makes 4 cups

4 cups Corn Chex
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup cookie butter 
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar, divided into two 3/4 cup portions

Directions

Spread out 4 cups of chex cereal in a large cookie sheet. In a microwave safe bowl add cookie butter, chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Microwave for another 20-30 seconds and stir until smooth and melted. It will have a batter like consistency. Pour cookie butter mixture over chex cereal and mix together until coated (Honestly, you may have to use your clean hands for this step!). 

Add 3/4 cup powdered sugar to a gallon sized zip style plastic bag. Add 1/2 of the chex mix to the bag, seal and shake until powdered sugar covers the chex mix. Spread out on a cookie sheet then add 3/4 cup powdered sugar to bag and remaining 1/2 of chex mix. Seal and shake until powdered sugar covers chex mix. Spread out on a cookie sheet to harden for a few minutes. 

Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator. 

Note: while this recipe is peanut/nut free, if you have a severe allergy please read all ingredient containers before making. Also, while the corn chex is gluten free, the cookie butter does contain wheat so this is not a gluten free dessert.