This sweet and crunchy Strawberry Chex Mix is the perfect no bake snack. White chocolate coated Chex cereal with strawberry flavor and cookie crumbs is a fun way to change up the classic muddy buddies.

Have you ever made a muddy buddy Chex mix recipe? Depending on what part of the country you are from it might be called puppy chow, muddy buddies, reindeer chow, and or just sweet Chex mix. Whatever name you call this snack mix, it’s delicious.

Snack mixes with cereal are a great way to make a sweet treat with things you have in your kitchen. I love finding ways to add new flavors to the chocolate coated mix. Some of our favorites are this brownie batter muddy buddies and this peanut butter cup puppy chow.

Did you know you can use a dry cake mix or brownie mix in place of some of the powdered sugar? It’s a fun way to change things up. Just make sure you heat treat the dry mixes ahead of time.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS

Adding shortbread cookie crumbs and dry strawberry cake mix to this easy sweet Chex mix gives it a delicious flavor. Turn it into a fun Valentine’s Day treat by adding holiday M&M’s!

• Quick and Easy treat – This sweet Chex mix is ready in minutes because you use a microwave. No baking or special tools required!
• Sweet Twist on Muddy Buddies – A coating of strawberry cake mix and shortbread cookie crumbs give it a strawberry shortcake flavor.
• Fun Color – The pink colors make it perfect for spring parties like Valentine’s Day, Easter, or baby showers.

If you love the flavor of strawberry and vanilla, then you are going to love this strawberry Chex mix recipe!

KEY INGREDIENTS

All you need to make a bowl of this sweet strawberry Chex mix muddy buddies are a few ingredients and some fun mix-ins.

• Chex Cereal – You can use any variety of Chex cereal. The rice is our favorite because it has a plain flavor which allows the flavor of the strawberries and cookies to come through.
• White Chocolate – Use a good quality chocolate that you can melt in the microwave. We like the Ghirardelli melting wafers the best because they melt easily and taste great.
• Strawberry Cake Mix – Adds the strawberry flavor and color. Be sure to read how to heat treat the mix first.
• Shortbread Cookies – Adds a delicious strawberry shortcake flavor when combined with the cake mix. I usually use the Keebler original sandies.
• M&M’s – These candies are totally optional, but the pink, red, and white candies add such a fun pop of color to the Chex mix.

HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY CHEX MIX

This strawberry Chex mix recipe is so easy to make. Have 2 gallon ziplock bags and a baking sheet lined with wax paper ready to go before getting started.

1. Combine the cereal and melted chocolate. Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl according to the package directions. Pour it on the cereal and stir until everything is coated.
2. Divide the mixture into two containers. Spoon the chocolate coated cereal into 2 large Ziplock bags. (You can also use two bowls.)
3. Shake on toppings. Add dry strawberry cake mix to one bag and crushed cookie crumbs to the other. Close and shake until everything is coated. Open the cookie bag and add the powdered sugar. Close and shake again.
4. Add in any mix-ins. Pour one bag at a time into a strainer to remove any excess powder or crumbs. Dump onto a large tray and top with M&M candies.

STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS

Strawberry Chex mix muddy buddies really is best served right away, but it can be made ahead of time and stored for a few days. It will just start to soften after a few days.

On the Counter: Keep in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for 3-4 days.

In the Refrigerator or Freezer: Keep in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• Heat treat the dry cake mix ahead of time before adding it to the snack mix.
• Want a stronger strawberry flavor? Add 1-2 teaspoons of dry strawberry Jell-o powder to the cake mix before shaking it onto the chocolate covered cereal.
• Add 1 bag of freeze dried strawberries along with the M&M’s for even more strawberry flavor.
• White chocolate chips can be used in place of the melting chocolates. Just be sure to buy a good quality chocolate and melt it slowly in the microwave at 50% power.
• If you want to add some more color to the mix, you could add some pink gel food coloring to the melted white chocolate or use pink chocolate wafers. This will give the strawberry muddy buddies a more vibrant color.
• Using a bag to shake the cereal with the cake mix and sugar works out better than mixing it in a bowl. This way you will not break as many pieces of the cereal.
• Package the strawberry puppy chow in cute Valentine themed treat bags and tie with ribbon. These make “sweet” gifts.