Orange Creamsicle Puppy Chow (it is PEOPLE food!) is a super fun citrus twist on a classic! Sweet vanilla and orange flavor mean you get your favorite ice cream treat in the hand-held form! Don’t miss my traditional Puppy Chow or S’mores Puppy Chow!

Bowl of Orange Creamsicle Puppy ChowOrange Creamsicle Puppy Chow

So you might be wondering what the heck this crazy creation is? Let me break it down for you. Chex cereal coated in vanilla chocolate (although not technically chocolate) that has been flavored with orange extract and a wee lil’ bit of orange zest. That concoction is then coated in confectioners sugar. But then the real test begins… can you stop with one handful? Nope! It seriously tastes like orange creamsicle and I LOVELOVELOVE how stinkin easy it is!

Orange Creamsicle Puppy Chow Ingredients
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How to Make Creamsicle Puppy Chow

Five simple ingredients make up this treat!

  • Chex cereal
  • vanilla candy coating
  • orange extract
  • orange zest
  • confectioners sugar

IMPORTANT: You CANNOT use white chocolate morsels in this, the extract will make it seize instantly and be a giant mess and waste of ingredients. In the image above you can see the vanilla candy coating in a block of 8 squares. They come in a handy dandy microwavable tray. You can add the extract and zest right to the melted “chocolate” and stir until incorporated. Just to reiterate, this won’t work with white chocolate morsels.

In case you are wondering, Orange Extract is found at most grocery stores. In the off chance you don’t feel like heading to the store but have all of the other ingredients, you can also get it on amazon.

Adding Powdered Sugar to Orange Creamsicle Puppy Chow

Start by melting the vanilla candy coating. Once it is fully melted and smooth, you can add the orange extract and zest. Stir well. Now pour the chocolate over the cereal and stir with a spatula.

Pour the chocolate-coated cereal into a large sealable plastic bag and then add the confectioner’s sugar. Shake shake shake.

Pour that onto a cookie sheet and spread it into a flat layer so that every piece can dry. (We sometimes skip this step and eat right out of the bag ๐Ÿ˜‡)

Overhead View of Orange Creamsicle Chex in a Bowl Next to Orange Zest

If you happen to have extra zest you can sprinkle the rest of it over the puppy chow. I was not a huge fan of this as orange zest can be a tad bitter, but it does add a little color so folks know what they are getting. Speaking of color…

Food Color: Yay or Nay?

You can add orange food color or 1 small drop of red and 1 small drop of yellow. I prefer to add it to the confectioner’s sugar, and this works best by adding the confectioner’s sugar to a plastic bag, adding the food color, and tossing it until it has changed in color. You can add more food color as needed. This step can take a few minutes, so having the kids help can be an option!

You can also use a food processor to make colorful confectioner’s sugar. Add all sugar to the food processor and then add in your food color. The exact amount varies depending on the color you want to achieve, so I recommend starting with a small amount. Mix for about 30 seconds and then add in more color as desired.

Close Up of Individual Creamsicle Chex Puppy Chow Pieces

Can This Recipe Be Doubled?

Yes! You can easily double this recipe. Just make sure you have a large enough bowl to mix the ingredients in and that you can work in batches when coating the cereal with chocolate.

How Long Does Puppy Chow Last?

You can store the puppy chow in an airtight container (or in the bag you made it in) on the counter or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but I doubt it will last that long! (That is the official answer BTW, I have never refrigerated puppy chow.)

Bowl of Orange Creamsicle Puppy Chow

Puppy Chow Variations

I love all of the easy ways you can change up muddie buddies. Some of my favorite variations are:

Child Taking Handful of Creamsicle Puppy Chow

Want More Orange Creamsicle Treats?

Orange Creamsicle Pie

Orange Creamsicle Mousse

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes

Orange Creamsicle Puppy Chow
5 from 2 votes

Orange Creamsicle Puppy Chow

Prep Time 10 minutes
Microwave Time 1 minute
Total Time 11 minutes
Orange Creamsicle Puppy Chow (aka Muddie Buddies) is a super fun citrus twist on a classic! Sweet vanilla and orange in a fun no-bake snack!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces vanilla chocolate, Candiquick
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1-2 drops orange food color (optional, I did not use)
  • 4 cups Rice Chex cereal
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the cereal.
  • Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds, stir, and heat for another 30 seconds. It should be smooth.
  • Add in orange extract and orange zest and stir well. (If you are adding food color, do it here.)
  • Pour vanilla chocolate over the cereal and stir with a spatula until cereal is coated.
  • Carefully pour cereal mixture into a large plastic bag and then pour the confectioners sugar over top. Seal the bag and shake until every piece is coated with sugar.
  • Serve and enjoy!

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Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.

I would like to reiterate that this is a HUMAN treat, not one for dogs. In the midwest we refer to these as โ€œPuppy Chowโ€ and others refer to them as โ€œMuddie Buddiesโ€, but they are NOT meant for dogs.

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Meet Amanda Rettke

Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion โ€“ With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.

Reader Comments

  1. So many people have diabetes and can’t have sugar. Can you come up with no bake recipes with no sugar

    1. Hi Julie! I don’t share diet specific recipes. There are thousands of talented bakers who do, though! I am sure one of them will have the content you are looking for. ๐Ÿ™‚

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