If you are looking for a festive, colorful, and utterly delicious treat to brighten up your Easter celebrations, the Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe is exactly what you need. This fun twist on classic puppy chow brings together a crunchy cereal base coated in pastel-colored white chocolate, enhanced with a luscious peanut butter and powdered sugar mixture, and sprinkled generously with cute mini marshmallows. It is charming, irresistibly sweet, and perfect for sharing with family and friends during springtime gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is wonderfully simple, yet every ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering the signature blend of flavors and textures that make this Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe so special. From the crisp Rice Chex cereal to the smooth almond bark, colorful food gels, and fluffy marshmallows, each component adds a unique touch to the final product.
- Rice Chex Cereal, 9 cups: Provides the perfect crunchy base that soaks up the chocolate and coating beautifully without getting soggy.
- White Chocolate Almond Bark, 6 squares: Melts easily to make the pastel coatings and the delicious peanut butter mixture smooth and creamy.
- Peanut Butter, 1/2 cup: Adds rich, nutty flavor and binds the puppy chow together for that signature taste and texture.
- Butter, 1/4 cup: Enhances the creamy consistency and adds a subtle richness to the chocolate mixture.
- Vanilla, 1 tsp: Brightens the flavors and complements the sweetness in a gentle way.
- Powdered Sugar, 1 1/2 cups (plus more if needed): Creates the signature powdery coating that makes the puppy chow irresistible.
- Mini Marshmallows (pastel), 1 package: Adds delightful chewiness and pops of pastel color throughout the mix.
- Pink Food Coloring Gel: Gives the melted white chocolate a bright, festive pastel pink hue.
- Aqua Food Coloring Gel: Adds a cool pastel aqua color to the white chocolate coating.
- Purple Food Coloring Gel: Delivers a lovely pastel purple tint to the chocolate-coated cereal for extra visual appeal.
How to Make Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe
Step 1: Create Pastel Pink Chocolate Coating
Start by placing 9 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a large container with a lid. Melt one square of white chocolate almond bark in a medium bowl using the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth. Next, stir in the pink food coloring gel until you achieve a bright pastel pink. This vibrant pink coating will give your puppy chow a lovely Easter vibe and set the tone for the other colors!
Step 2: Coat Portions of Cereal with Colored Chocolate
Take 1 cup of the cereal from the large container and stir it into the pink chocolate bowl until every piece is coated. Spread the coated cereal on parchment paper to dry and set. Repeat these steps with the remaining two bowls of white chocolate, tinting one with aqua food coloring gel and the other with purple. Spread each color-coated cereal batch on parchment paper to dry as well, creating a beautiful trio of pastel treats.
Step 3: Prepare the Bunny Chow Peanut Butter Mixture
While the cereal cools, combine three squares of white chocolate almond bark, butter, and peanut butter in a microwave-safe dish. Heat for about one minute, stir, then heat for another 30 seconds if needed until silky smooth. Finally, stir in vanilla extract to add a fragrant warmth. This luscious mixture is what transforms your puppy chow into a soft, indulgent snack that’s perfectly balanced between sweet, salty, and creamy.
Step 4: Coat the Remaining Cereal in the Peanut Butter Mixture
Pour the peanut butter mixture over the remaining cereal in the large container and stir thoroughly to coat every piece. Next, add powdered sugar and mix gently but thoroughly until the cereal is evenly covered in a sweet powdery coat. If it needs more coverage, sprinkle on additional powdered sugar. Seal the container with the lid and flip it upside down a couple of times to make sure the coating is evenly distributed throughout.
Step 5: Combine Pastel Cereal and Mini Marshmallows
Once the coated cereal has cooled, mix in the pastel pink, aqua, and purple chocolate-coated cereal pieces along with the package of mini pastel marshmallows. Gently turn the container upside down a few times to combine everything. For a final touch, scrape any leftover pastel-colored chocolate from the parchment paper and sprinkle it on top for extra bursts of color and flavor. Your Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe is now ready to delight!
How to Serve Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe
Garnishes
To give your Easter Bunny Puppy Chow a little extra sparkle, consider garnishing with a few larger pastel marshmallows or even edible glitter. Fresh mint leaves or small edible flowers also make charming accents that elevate the springtime look and enhance the visual appeal of your snack table.
Side Dishes
This colorful puppy chow pairs beautifully with light and refreshing sides such as fresh fruit skewers, lemon cupcakes, or pastel-colored sugar cookies—perfect for an Easter brunch or kid-friendly party. The puppy chow’s sweet, crunchy texture also balances well with creamy dips, such as vanilla yogurt or fruit-flavored cream cheese spreads.
Creative Ways to Present
Bring an adorable touch to your Easter gathering by serving the puppy chow in small pastel-colored bowls or clear jars tied with ribbons. For a fun party favor, portion the mix into mini cellophane bags and tie them with a bow. You can also layer the mix in a large glass trifle bowl to showcase all the charming pastel colors and textures throughout the layers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain the crunch and freshness. It will keep beautifully for up to a week, making it a perfect make-ahead snack for busy holiday days.
Freezing
If you want to prepare this treat in advance or save some for later, freezing is a great option. Place the puppy chow in a freezer-safe airtight container or a sealed zip-top bag. Freeze for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw it overnight at room temperature.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat puppy chow since it’s best enjoyed at room temperature with that perfectly crunchy texture. If you find it has softened after storage, a brief toast in a low-temperature oven (around 250°F for 5-7 minutes) can revive crispness, but be careful not to melt the chocolate coating.
FAQs
Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini pastel marshmallows?
Yes! While mini pastel marshmallows add a festive look to the Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe, regular mini marshmallows or even chopped larger marshmallows can work well too. The key is to use smaller pieces so they mix and melt evenly with the cereal.
Can I substitute peanut butter for another nut butter?
Absolutely. Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter can be tasty alternatives if you have allergies or prefer a different flavor. Just be aware each will subtly change the taste and texture of your puppy chow.
Is there a way to make this recipe nut-free?
Yes! Omit the peanut butter and increase the butter slightly to keep the coating creamy. You might also add a nut-free spread like soy butter or sunflower seed butter for a similar consistency without nuts.
How do I get the pastel colors so vibrant?
Using gel food coloring is key since it is more concentrated than liquid dyes and won’t dilute the melted white chocolate. Add small amounts gradually to reach bright, pastel shades without making the chocolate too thin or runny.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Just be sure to use gluten-free Rice Chex cereal or any other gluten-free crispy rice cereal. The rest of the ingredients in the Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe are naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
There is something so joyful about making and sharing the Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe. Its cheerful colors, playful textures, and rich, sweet flavors come together to create a treat that brings smiles to kids and adults alike. Whether you’re celebrating Easter or simply craving a fun, seasonal snack, this delightful recipe is guaranteed to become a beloved staple. Give it a try and watch it become the talk of your holiday table!
Print
Easter Bunny Puppy Chow with Pastel Colors and Mini Marshmallows Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings (approximately sixteen 1/2 cup scoops)
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Easter Puppy Chow is a festive and colorful snack mix combining crispy Rice Chex cereal coated in vibrant pastel white chocolate, mixed with a creamy peanut butter and white chocolate coating, powdered sugar, and mini marshmallows. Perfect for Easter celebrations, this no-bake treat is sweet, crunchy, and easy to make.
Ingredients
Cereal and Coating Colors
- 9 cups Rice Chex Cereal
- 6 Squares White Chocolate Almond Bark, divided
- Pink Food Coloring Gel
- Aqua Food Coloring Gel
- Purple Food Coloring Gel
Peanut Butter Coating
- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar (plus more if needed)
Add-ins
- 1 package Mini Marshmallows (pastel colored, approximately 7 ounces)
Instructions
- Prepare Colored Chocolate Coatings: In a large container with a lid, place all 9 cups of Rice Chex cereal. Divide into three medium bowls, each containing 1 square of white chocolate almond bark. Melt one bowl at a time in the microwave for about 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds until fully melted. Remove from microwave and add pink food coloring gel to the first bowl to create bright pastel pink chocolate.
- Coat Cereal in Colored Chocolate: From the large container, add 1 cup of cereal to the pink chocolate bowl and stir to coat evenly. Spread the coated cereal onto parchment paper and separate pieces for drying. Repeat this process with the remaining two bowls, adding aqua and purple food coloring gels respectively, and lay out coated cereal on parchment paper to dry.
- Make Peanut Butter Bunny Chow Mixture: In a microwave-safe dish, combine the remaining 3 squares of white chocolate almond bark, butter, and peanut butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, then microwave for an additional 30 seconds or until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Combine Cereal and Coating: Pour the peanut butter mixture over the 6 cups of uncolored cereal in the large container and stir well to coat. Add powdered sugar and stir with a large spoon until all cereal pieces are fully coated. Add more powdered sugar if needed to ensure coverage. Secure the lid and gently invert the container a couple of times to mix. Allow to cool completely.
- Assemble Final Mix: Once cool, add the pastel-colored coated cereal pieces and mini marshmallows into the large container with the coated cereal mix. Secure the lid and gently turn upside down to mix thoroughly. Scrape any leftover pastel colored chocolate from the parchment paper and sprinkle it over the mixture. Store with the lid on until ready to serve. Serve in a bowl, on a platter, or in small individual bowls. Enjoy this festive Easter treat!
Notes
- Ensure the white chocolate almond bark is melted gently to avoid burning; use short bursts in the microwave and stir frequently.
- The pastel food coloring gels provide vibrant colors without altering texture; adjust quantity for desired shade.
- You can substitute the Rice Chex cereal with a gluten-free certified Chex if gluten-free is desired.
- Make sure the peanut butter mixture is fully cooled before mixing in the pastel coated cereal to prevent melting or clumping.
- Store the puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for best freshness.
