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Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddy? I never know.
My Aunt Katie always used to call it Puppy Chow, so Puppy Chow it is.
I am thinking that it is time I honor her this Christmas and make her recipe for Puppy Chow. Pretty sure my cousins would be down with this… as long as we get to eat her white lasagna (horrible photos – awesome recipe) for dinner first. AND trust me, Aunt Katie’s recipe for puppy chow is better than any other out there. Her’s was extra special, just like she was.
But today we are going to talk about something even easier than puppy chow.
It’s about that time of year when I start breaking out the “idiot proof” recipes. Examples one, two, three and four. When November and then December hits, things get extra crazy for everyone… and for me? Meaning my oven broke…again…for the third time…in less than six months…the thing seriously HATES me…with a passion.
So the real reason you are seeing these cookies today is because my oven decided to stop working, mid pie baking, and while the pie was going to be awesome – think SO much chocolate, I had to dump it because it’s goopy state was not very photogenic. Sorry, but there may be no pie from me this Thanksgiving.
Enter giant sad face.
To say that I was bummed would be an understatement. And I was not just bummed because my pies (yes, pies plural) were ruined, but more because I know there is high probability that the oven will not be getting fixed by Thanksgiving. This? Well, this is what made me cry?
How am I to cook all my sweet potatoes, breads, brussels sprouts and pies and umm the turkey?!?! Thinking I better go buy a whole lot of crockpots.
Please send help.
Or better yet, please send an oven!! Yes, please do! I will send you cookies! Pies! Fudge! Whatever!
Ok, but let’s be serious now and talk about these cookies. I need to cheer myself up and um, talking about cookies does this for me. Technically these are not really cookies, but really just Ritz crackers (the holiday kind of course) with peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar. It’s so crazy simple, but you know what? These are awesome.
At first I was feeling all lame for telling you guys about such a simple recipe, but then was like, “these are kind of awesome, and so freaking easy”.
Plus, they remind me of snowballs, which I am all about right now.
And did I mention how easy these are? Just five ingredients you most likely have at home right now, and like maybe twenty minutes of your time. Simple. And FYI chocolate, Ritz crackers, peanut butter and powdered sugar may just be one of the sweetest holiday combos. They’re so perfect for the holidays. If you have some fun holiday sanding sugars on hand you could totally dust a little over these cookies to make them look even more festive and seasonal.
These would be so perfect for any holiday parties or home gifts. People have been going crazy for them, it’s the salty, buttery Ritz. Those crackers are so good I tell ya.
Or you can just keep them all to yourself. That works too.
(Idiot Proof) 5-Ingredient Puppy Chow Ritz Cracker Cookies.
Ingredients
- 32 ritz crackers
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place the peanut butter and vanilla into a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Spread a little of the peanut butter mixture onto a cracker and sandwich together with another cracker. Repeat until all the crackers and peanut butter filling have been used.
- Place the crackers on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes
- Meanwhile, melt the chocolate over a double broiler or in the microwave on full power, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
- Place the powdered sugar in wide bowl.
- Use a fork or your hands to dip the chilled peanut butter sandwiches into the chocolate until completely covered. Place the chocolate covered sandwich directly into the powdered sugar and toss to coat. Place the cookie back onto the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Now those are some perfectly sweet layers – (Idiot Proof) 5-Ingredient Puppy Chow Ritz Cracker Cookies!
I had these at school last year but no sugar on the outside–OH these are so good.
I really like the idea of the sugar.
One of my favorite cookies are the pecan ones rolled in powdered sugar.
Hope your oven troubles are over soon.
Thanks Nancy!
Oooh they look delicious! And I’ve never even had puppy chow in my life!
Thanks Nora!! ANd try some puppy chow already! 🙂
I feel for you! Without an oven and just barely over a week til Thanksgiving! Channeling good vibes your way that things will work out! ; ) These cookies are genius, I am thinking about making them with my boys, great easy recipe!! You rock! xx
Thank you so much, Crystal! Hope you are having a great week!
Muddie Buddies, Puppy chow, I never know either. All I know is that they are incredible, and this recipe is so creative and looks amazing! Like always, your photos are unreal!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Chelsea! You are so sweet! 🙂
These are so brilliant in their simplicity! I’m so glad you shared these – they’ll be perfect on those days when I need a sweet treat but don’t really have anything prepared and don’t have much energy. I hope your oven is fixed soon – you seem to have the worst oven luck!
Thank you so much!! And yes, I totally do!
this is freaking genius! who needs an oven when you can make these! yum
THANK YOU!
Oh no, I so hope your oven is fixed soon, crossing my fingers for you!! Love these cookies – what’s not to love about only 5 ingredients to get my sweet and salty fix?!
Thanks Laura!!
i like the salty sweetness of these!
Thanks!
Snow flake-shaped Ritz EXIST?! Those are just too cute! And this is definitely one of the best flavor combos of all time!
HAHa! YUP! 🙂
Thanks Rachael!
Love the simplicity of this recipe! And those crackers…are just awesome. Makes me wanna make these just for them 🙂
Thank you so much, Katya!
Love your website Tieghan!! Regarding your very, very sad oven situation – would you be able to rent one for a week or two? When our washer broke and our new one was on backorder for six weeks, I almost had a meltdown as we are a family of six. We were able to rent a brand new washer that was delivered the same day and used it until the new one arrived. Just a thought – it might at least get you through Thanksgiving. Good luck! Wish I could let you borrow mine…
Thank you so much, Karen!!! You are so sweet!
I have not looked into renting an oven, but we have a service guy coming tomorrow…hopefully. So I will see what he says. If it is bad, I will look into that for sure! Thanks for the suggestion!
Love these cookies! Love that you added powdered sugar, too 🙂
Oh! And it’s definitely puppy chow 😉
YEAH! 🙂
Thanks Jennifer!
Oh no, your oven broke?! I can empathize so much. Don’t get to messed up about it though because you can make even a simple recipe like this into something spectacular. Good luck on getting your oven fixed!
You are so kind! 🙂
Thank you, Tori!
No Oven?! That’s like losing an arm. Believe me, I’ve had it. The only thing worse is no water. That is also rough. I caught baking fever, and we are completely out of sugar! Bad timing here too.
No water is so much worse…I have been there too.
Thanks Joshua!
Ive been dying to make puppy chow – any chance you want to share the recipe?
Thanks so much, Wendie! I will post it soon, but if you want to email me, I will happily send it to you.