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Whipped up some peppermint muddy buddies last night and now my place smells like a winter wonderland. I started fixing these after finding a hidden stash of peppermint bark from December. Gotta say, it totally steps up the usual muddy buddy game. Super easy to make, but just so you know—they vanish in no time! That chocolate-mint thing is super hard to stop eating.
Perks Of Making These
Needed a fast snack for my kid's class thing tomorrow and these are done in under 15 minutes. Chocolate and mint? Kids can't get enough. Shaking everything up with sugar is half the fun! I ended up making these three times last holiday season for all sorts of get-togethers. Best thing is there's no oven at all, and you only mess up one bowl and a bag.Grab These Things
- Peppermint bark: Smash up a couple bars, or buy the prebroken pieces from the store
- Rice Chex cereal: Use this kind—it stays nice and crispy compared to corn Chex
- Powdered sugar: Any old powdered sugar in your cupboard will do
How To Whip It Up
- Let it cool
- Spread everything on wax paper and let it chill out (it’s tempting but try to keep your hands off for a bit)
- Shake it up
- Dump it all into your ziplock of sugar and go wild shaking until everything’s covered
- Combine stuff
- Pour the melted bark straight over the cereal and gently fold so you don't wreck the crunch
- Zap the bark
- Microwave in short bursts and stir every time—this stuff burns if you look away
- Get the cereal ready
- Pour Chex into your biggest bowl—room to stir is key
- Prep the sugar
- Put your powdered sugar in a giant zip bag—this coats the mix at the end
A Totally Different Take
Peppermint bark makes these special—they disappear before the regular chocolate ones every time. That swirl of dark and white chocolate looks super fancy, even though it's zero extra effort. Oh, and the crushed candy cane? Crunchy little surprises in every handful.The Lowdown On Ingredients
Go for store brand cereal to save some cash—no one tells the difference in these. If your bark feels too thick after melting, zap it a bit more for a smoother pour. Tried out pricey powdered sugar once and honestly, the regular cheap kind works exactly the same.Tips For Moving Fast
Lay out everything ahead of time—I learned this the hard way after my chocolate hardened while searching for sugar. You’ll keep the cereal nice and crisp if you toss it in chocolate right away. And if you don’t want a sugar dust bomb in your kitchen, double bag before you shake (trust me, it’s worth it).Spread Some Cheer
These went in mason jars for teacher treats last year—huge hit. They'll last a week sealed up—if you can hide them that long! Tried putting them out during a movie and, nope, gone before the opening scene even started.Extra Stuff To Know
Most gluten-free folks can have these since they're made with Rice Chex. But check your peppermint bark since some sneak wheat in there. I used a dairy-free bark batch for my neighbor and she was all about them. Just make sure to stash them in a cool spot or they get sticky fast.Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I replace peppermint bark with something else?
Sure, white chocolate mixed with peppermint extract works just fine.
- → What's the best way to store them?
Keep them in a sealed container at room temperature, and they'll be good for up to a week.
- → Can I make more in one batch?
For sure, just make sure you use a big enough mixing bowl.
- → What cereal works if I don't have rice Chex?
Corn Chex or similar cereals will work great.
- → Can I melt the bark directly on the stove?
It's better to use a microwave or double boiler so it doesn’t scorch.
Conclusion
If you're a fan of peppermint, you might like similar ideas like warm Peppermint Bark Cocoa, blending cocoa and festive flavors, or Pretzel Crisps drizzled with peppermint candies for a salty-sweet crunch, all perfect for holiday gatherings.