Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe

Easy Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe for Sweet Snackers

Sweet tooth travelers adore this cherry cheesecake puppy chow that brings playful snack magic to life.

Crunchy cereal pieces dance with creamy cheesecake vibes in each delightful bite.

Dessert enthusiasts seek something unique and totally irresistible will fall head over heels for this treat.

Sprinkled with powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs, these little morsels pack serious flavor punch.

Minimal kitchen skills work perfectly for creating this addictive snack that disappears faster than you can mix ingredients.

Kids and adults cannot resist these bite-sized delights that feel like a party in your mouth.

One taste of this cherry cheesecake puppy chow promises to become your new favorite munchie addiction.

Tips to Keep Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Crunchy

  • Customize Flavor Intensity: Adjust the amount of cherry-flavored gelatin to control the cherry taste- less for a subtle hint, more for a bold cherry punch.
  • Prevent Clumping Trick: Shake the coating bag continuously and break up any large sugar clusters to ensure even, smooth coverage on each cereal piece.
  • Smart Melting Technique: Stir almond bark between microwave intervals to prevent burning and achieve a silky, smooth chocolate consistency.
  • Storage Savvy: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, keeping the puppy chow crisp and fresh without refrigeration.
  • Allergy-Friendly Swap: Replace almond bark with white chocolate chips or dairy-free alternatives for those with nut or dairy restrictions.

Store Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Properly

  • Store in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep fresh for 5-7 days.
  • Transfer puppy chow to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze up to 3 weeks for longer preservation.
  • Maintain crispy texture by storing in sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Best consumed within 3-4 days.
  • Add small silica gel packet to container to absorb excess humidity and maintain crunchiness of the treat.

Snacks That Pair Well with Cheesecake Puppy Chow

  • Serve the cherry cheesecake puppy chow alongside a cold glass of vanilla almond milk, which complements the dessert's sweet and tangy flavor profile.
  • Blend a cherry smoothie using fresh cherries, yogurt, and a touch of vanilla to echo the dessert's fruity cheesecake notes while providing a cool, refreshing contrast.
  • Prepare a light, sparkling white wine like Moscato d'Asti, whose subtle sweetness and effervescence will beautifully balance the rich, sugary puppy chow texture.
  • Plate the puppy chow with a side of fresh whipped cream or mascarpone cheese for dipping, enhancing the cheesecake-inspired treat with an extra layer of creamy indulgence.

Fun Twists for Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

Gluten-Free Cherry Delight: Swap rice cereal with gluten-free rice chex or corn chex for celiac-friendly version. Easily adaptable without compromising taste or texture.

Vegan Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow: Replace almond bark with dairy-free white chocolate chips and use vegan cream cheese pudding mix. Add plant-based gelatin alternative for similar consistency.

Low-Sugar Cherry Crunch: Substitute regular powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia blend. Use sugar-free pudding mix and gelatin to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining sweet flavor profile.

Keto-Friendly Cherry Treat: Replace rice cereal with crushed pork rinds or almond flour crumbles. Use sugar-free alternatives and keto-friendly white chocolate for a low-carb version that matches original recipe’s deliciousness.

Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow That Pops with Flavor

  • Use a zip-top bag for mess-free mixing, making cleanup a breeze and allowing kids to help without creating chaos.
  • Delivers irresistible cherry cheesecake flavor in a crunchy, portable format that's ideal for gatherings, movie nights, and potlucks.
  • Easily adapt the recipe by adding sprinkles, changing flavor mixes, or adjusting sweetness levels to match personal preferences.

Ingredients You Need for Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

Chow Base:
  • Rice Cereal Squares: Crunchy base for the puppy chow, provides texture and holds the coating well.
  • Almond Bark: Smooth melting chocolate that helps coat the cereal evenly, creates a sweet binding layer.
Coating Mixture:
  • Instant Cheesecake Pudding Mix, Cherry-Flavored Gelatin Mix: Adds signature cherry cheesecake flavor and sweetness to the coating.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates a fine, sweet exterior layer for the puppy chow.
  • Sprinkles (Optional): Adds festive color and extra visual appeal to the final treat.
Preparation Tools:
  • Large Zip-Top Bag: Used for mixing and coating the cereal with the dry mixture.
  • Rubber Spatula: Helps gently coat the cereal with melted almond bark without breaking the pieces.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and helps the puppy chow set evenly.

Directions for Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

Step 1: Prepare Coating Magic

In a large zip-top bag, toss together:
  • Instant cheesecake pudding mix
  • Cherry-flavored gelatin mix
  • Powdered sugar
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Seal and shake the bag until ingredients dance together perfectly.

Step 2: Melt Creamy Goodness

Place almond bark in its original tray.

Microwave on high for 1 minute.

Stir gently, then heat for another minute.

Continue heating until smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Blanket Cereal in Creamy Embrace

Pour melted almond bark over rice cereal squares in a spacious mixing bowl.

Gently fold with a rubber spatula, ensuring every crispy piece gets a luxurious coating.

Step 4: Roll in Sweet Powder

Pour coated cereal into the prepared zip-top bag.

Seal tightly and shake with enthusiasm.

Twirl and toss until each morsel is completely covered in the magical powder mixture.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Spread coated cereal on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Let sit until completely cooled and set.

Break into bite-sized nibbles.

Enjoy the sweet, tangy crunch of this delightful treat!

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Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe

Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Recipe


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4.6 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet cherry cheesecake puppy chow delivers a delightful twist on classic snack mix. Creamy cheesecake flavor blends perfectly with crunchy cereal and tangy cherry notes, creating an irresistible treat you won’t be able to stop munching.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound vanilla-flavored almond bark
  • 8 cups rice square cereal (such as Rice Chex)

Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 1 (3.4 ounces / 96 grams) box instant cheesecake pudding mix
  • 1 (3 ounces / 85 grams) box cherry-flavored gelatin mix
  • 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

Decorative Ingredients:

  • Optional: red and pink sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

  1. Prepare a spacious zip-top bag and combine the instant cheesecake pudding mix, cherry-flavored gelatin mix, powdered sugar, and optional sprinkles, ensuring a thorough blend by sealing and shaking the bag vigorously.
  2. Unwrap the almond bark and position it in its original packaging, then microwave for one minute, stir, and continue heating for an additional minute until achieving a completely smooth, liquid consistency.
  3. Select a generously sized mixing bowl and add the rice cereal squares, carefully drizzling the molten almond bark over the cereal while using a rubber spatula to gently coat each piece uniformly.
  4. Immediately transfer the almond bark-covered cereal into the prepared zip-top bag containing the sugar mixture, sealing tightly and shaking enthusiastically to ensure comprehensive coverage of each morsel.
  5. Retrieve a large baking sheet and line it with parchment paper, spreading the coated cereal mixture in an even, single layer to facilitate proper cooling and setting.
  6. Allow the mixture to rest at room temperature until completely firm, then fragment into delectable bite-sized clusters ready for immediate enjoyment or storage.

Notes

  • Customize the coating mix by adjusting the amount of pudding and gelatin for more intense cherry flavor.
  • Use gluten-free rice cereal to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Chill the mixture quickly by placing the baking sheet in the refrigerator for faster setting.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 212
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 118 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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