Oh my goodness, if you are looking for a snack that takes zero oven time but delivers maximum flavor impact, stop scrolling right now! I’m talking about something that screams ‘party in a bowl’ but takes less than twenty minutes to pull together. I’ve always loved Puppy Chow, but I rarely mess with peanut butter and chocolate dust anymore. It needed a seriously fabulous upgrade, you know?

That’s how I landed on this absolute showstopper: the Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow. Trust me, the blend of tart cherry with that creamy, slightly tangy cheesecake powder coating is totally addictive. I first whipped this up for a summer barbecue because I wanted something pink and festive that wasn’t just the same old sticky mess. It was gone before the burgers were even off the grill. Seriously, this recipe is pure magic. If you love easy dips, you absolutely must check out how I make my famous chocolate chip cookie dough dip too!

Why This Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Is Your New Favorite Snack

I know, I know, there are a million snack mixes out there, but this one is different. It hits that sweet spot we all crave—bold flavor without any fuss. You won’t even need to preheat your oven, which is a huge win on a hot day when you need a quick treat!

Just look at what you get with this simple mix. It’s honestly the best kind of easy party food you can whip up in minutes:

The flavor profile is totally unique! That bright, tart cherry cuts through the smooth white chocolate and creamy cheesecake dust. It’s way more exciting than plain chocolate Puppy Chow, I promise.
Seriously no-bake prep! From start to finish, this is a quick mixing job. You just melt, stir, and toss. It’s perfect for when you need a fantastic dessert fast.
It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser! Because it’s so visually appealing (hello, pink speckles!) and so easy to eat by the handful, it disappears instantly at holidays or casual get-togethers. If you love simple but stunning recipes, you might also adore my guide on crazy delicious easy bars recipe ideas!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

Okay, here is the truth bomb: you can’t fake flavor in a snack mix like this. Since there isn’t much cooking involved, every single ingredient has to pull its weight to deliver that perfect cherry-cheesecake punch. Don’t try swapping things out here unless you absolutely have to, especially when it comes to the fruit element.

The absolute key, and I mean the game-changer that makes this better than any other puppy chow recipe out there, is using freeze-dried cherries. Those little red jewels bring the intense, true cherry essence without adding any extra water that would make your coating soggy. If you’re prepping ahead, you might also want to peek at my recipe for white chocolate cranberry pistachio truffles for another easy-to-make favorite!

Coating Mixture Components

This is what creates the rich, smooth blanket that sticks to every single piece of cereal. Make sure your white chocolate chips are good quality because they really shine through here.

12 oz white chocolate chips
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature is best, but it melts anyway!)
1 tsp vanilla extract

The Cereal Base and Flavor Dust

This is where the main structure and the signature cheesecake tartness come from. Remember those cherries need a good smash!

6 cups Chex cereal (Rice or Corn—your preference!)
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup freeze-dried cherry pieces, crushed (very finely, please!)
2 tbsp cheesecake flavored powder mix (Jell-O or similar works great)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

This is truly where the fun begins! You’re going to be amazed at how little time this takes. My biggest tip here is to have everything measured out and ready to go beforehand because once the chocolate melts, things move fast. You don’t want a sticky mess everywhere, trust me. Unlike slow-baking recipes, this Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow relies on quick assembly before everything sets up. If you’re short on time, check out my family’s super simple easy-to-make dump cakes for a similar low-effort dessert!

Preparing the Creamy Coating Base

First things first, we need that smooth, luscious coating. Grab a microwave-safe bowl for this. Pop the white chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter into the bowl. You’re going to microwave this in short bursts—30 seconds at a time. Be sure to pull it out and stir well after every 30 seconds. We are aiming for completely smooth, so keep going until there are absolutely no lumps left! This gentle melting process prevents the chocolate from seizing up on you.

Once it’s perfectly smooth and melted, stir in that vanilla extract right away. Give it one last little whisk, and we’re ready for the cereal!

Coating the Cereal Base

Get your biggest mixing bowl out—you need space for this! Dump in your 6 cups of Chex cereal. Now, slowly pour that warm chocolate mixture right over the cereal. This part requires patience! Use a large spatula and gently fold the chocolate mixture into the cereal. You want every piece coated, but you have to be gentle so you don’t smash the Chex into tiny shards. Just coax the mixture around until everything looks nicely covered.

Creating and Applying the Flavor Dust

While the cereal is getting its first coat, whisk together your dry flavor makers in a separate, medium-sized bowl. That means the powdered sugar, your finely crushed freeze-dried cherries, and that essential cheesecake powder mix. Make sure you mix this dust really well so those flavors are evenly distributed!

Now, add about half of this sugar mixture over the coated cereal and toss it gently—again, work carefully! Once that first layer is dusting the pieces, add the remaining half and toss a final time. Keep tossing until every piece of your puppy chow snack mix is coated in that dreamy pink and cream dust!

Cooling and Storing Your Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

Don’t put this straight into a container! That’s the mistake that leads to a giant clump of candy. Spread your freshly coated cereal out onto a large baking sheet that you’ve lined with some parchment paper first. Spread it into a single layer if you can. This allows air to circulate and helps everything cool down quickly and set up properly. Once cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container. It’ll stay fantastically fresh for about a week, if it lasts that long!

Expert Tips for the Best Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

I’ve made batches that turned out clumpy and batches that were perfectly snappy, and the difference is always in the small details. Getting that intense flavor locked onto the Chex squares takes a little bit of finesse, especially since we aren’t baking off any moisture.

Achieving Fine Cherry Flavor Distribution

I really want that beautiful pink speckle reflecting the cherry flavor in every single bite. That’s why you absolutely must crush the freeze-dried cherries as finely as you possibly can before mixing them with the sugar. If they are too chunky, they just clump together, and you end up with big red rocks instead of a nice, even coating. I use a mini food processor or a mortar and pestle for this. Don’t skip this—it makes the whole Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow look professional!

Substitution Guidance for Cheesecake Powder

The cheesecake powder mix gives this snack its signature tang. It’s what stops the flavor profile from just being ‘sweet white chocolate and cherry.’ If you look in my notes, I mentioned that if you don’t have the powder, you can use extra powdered sugar instead. But listen to me: you will miss that essential tartness! It will still taste good, but it becomes a generic, sweet cherry snack mix. For the true cheesecake experience, seek out that powder!

If you want more inspiration on easy, incredible snacks, you should definitely check out my recipe for chocolate chip cookie dough dip—it’s another winner that no one ever expects!

Variations on Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

The beauty of a simple snack mix like this is how easy it is to customize! While I swear by the cherry, you can certainly play around with other mix-ins once you master the base coating. Keep that cheesecake dust handy, though, because that’s the star flavor you want to keep!

For a little texture boost, try folding in about a cup of white chocolate chips (the melting kind, not the coating kind) right at the end with the dry dust. Or, if you’re feeling wild, swap out half of the Chex cereal for vanilla wafers—they get so wonderfully crisp!

If cherries aren’t your favorite, you can switch to freeze-dried strawberries for a different berry hit, which pairs beautifully with cheesecake. If you’re looking for other fun ways to layer flavor, you might want to look at my guide for making a boston cream poke cake to see how I combine flavors!

Storage and Serving Suggestions for Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

Because the coating sets up so nicely and doesn’t use fresh fruit puree, this mix stays fantastic for ages—well, if you hide it well enough! Once it’s completely cooled down, pop your Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow into a large, airtight container. I use a big glass jar so I can see how much is left!

It should stay fresh and crunchy for a good week, maybe even ten days if you are super disciplined about sealing the lid tightly. It’s perfect for making ahead of time for parties, serving in cute little bowls, or even scooping into cellophane bags with a ribbon for party favors. If you made too much, or if you just need another easy treat idea, you know I always have my recipe for chocolate chip cookie dough dip waiting!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

I always get tons of questions when I post this recipe because people are curious how we pack so much flavor into such a simple snack mix! Don’t worry if you have questions—we’ve got answers to make sure your puppy chow snack mix turns out perfectly every time!

Can I use fresh or frozen cherries instead of freeze-dried?

Oh, please don’t try to use fresh or frozen cherries here! I know they look tempting, but they hold way too much water. If you try to mix fresh cherries into that warm white chocolate coating, everything will turn into a sticky, runny mess instantly. We need the moisture gone so the coating can properly adhere to the Chex. Freeze-dried cherries are dehydrated, so they act like little flavor sponges that absorb the coating without ruining the texture!

What is the best type of Chex cereal for this puppy chow snack mix?

You have options here, which is great! I usually alternate between Rice Chex and Corn Chex because I love the varied crunch, but honestly, either one works beautifully. The key thing is that Chex cereals have those great little squares and grooves that are just begging to trap all that glorious white chocolate and cheesecake flavor dust. Just make sure you’re using a plain variety; we don’t want competing flavors in there!

How do I ensure the cheesecake flavor is strong enough?

That cheesecake powder is your MVP ingredient for that signature tang! If your flavor seems weak, it usually means two things: either your powder mix isn’t very fresh, or you skimped on the amount. Make sure you measure out those two tablespoons accurately. If you find your usual brand isn’t cutting it, try a different brand next time, or sometimes shaking your mix really well right before you add it helps revive any settled flavor dust. Since this relies so much on that powder, you want it to be potent!

If you’re looking for another fun cheesecake twist, you really should try my recipe for cheesecake bites—they are dangerously easy!

Nutritional Estimates for Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

Now, I know when we are making snack mixes like this, we aren’t exactly aiming for health food, right? This is pure joy in a bowl! I always like to give you a heads-up on what’s in here, but please remember these numbers are purely estimates. Different brands of white chocolate or peanut butter can change things a bit.

We based these calculations on a serving size of about one cup of the finished mix:

Calories: About 350
Sugar: Roughly 25 grams (that’s where all the fun is!)
Fat: Around 22 grams
Protein: A decent 5 grams

Since this recipe uses no baking, the main changes you might see are if you swap out the peanut butter or use a lower-sugar white chocolate. For some fascinating reading on how fruits fit into diets, you can check out this piece on the surprising sugar content of fruits!

Share Your Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow Creations

Okay, that’s my entire playbook for the world’s best Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow! Now it’s your turn! I truly want to know what you thought once you’ve made a batch. Did the cherry flavor pop just right? Did it vanish as fast at your house as it does at mine?

Please leave a rating down below and drop a comment telling me how it went! Your feedback helps everyone who tries this recipe. If you snap a picture while you’re coating those squares, tag me because I absolutely love seeing your creations! While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my easy chocolate chip cookie dough dip if you need another quick win!

Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 20 min
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A sweet snack mix featuring cherry and cheesecake flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz white chocolate chips
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 cups Chex cereal (Rice or Corn)
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup freeze-dried cherry pieces, crushed
2 tbsp cheesecake flavored powder mix (like Jell-O or similar)

Instructions

Melt the white chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Stir in the vanilla extract into the melted mixture.
Place the Chex cereal in a very large bowl.
Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir until all cereal pieces are coated.
In a separate medium bowl, mix the powdered sugar, crushed freeze-dried cherries, and cheesecake powder mix.
Add half of the sugar mixture to the coated cereal and gently toss to coat.
Add the remaining half of the sugar mixture and toss again until the cereal is evenly coated.
Spread the coated cereal onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Crush the freeze-dried cherries finely for better coating.
If you do not have cheesecake powder mix, you can substitute with extra powdered sugar, but the flavor will be less pronounced.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 5 min
Category: Dessert
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 350
Sugar: 25
Sodium: 150
Fat: 22
Saturated Fat: 8
Unsaturated Fat: 14
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 1
Protein: 5
Cholesterol: 10

Keywords: cherry, cheesecake, puppy chow, snack mix, Chex cereal, white chocolate, sweet treat