If you’re looking for a snack that tastes just as bright and cheerful as a summer picnic, you’re about to fall in love with this Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow. Imagine crispy cereal bites drenched in silky white chocolate, mingling with clouds of powdered sugar, bursts of real strawberry, and buttery shortbread. It’s the dessert mashup you never knew you needed—sweet, crunchy, and loaded with all the nostalgia of classic puppy chow, but with a fruity twist that makes every handful irresistible.

Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients:
- 6 cups rice or corn Chex cereal
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup crushed shortbread cookies
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow

Step 1: Prep Your Cereal

Grab your biggest mixing bowl and add all of your Chex cereal. It’s important to use a roomy bowl so you’ll have space to toss everything together without squishing those delicate pieces.

Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate

Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20–30 second bursts, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. Stir in the vanilla extract for that extra layer of sweet aroma.

Step 3: Coat the Cereal

Pour your warm, vanilla-scented melted chocolate all over the cereal, and use a spatula (or your hands, if you’re feeling daring) to gently toss until every piece is thoroughly coated. Patience here pays off—aim for even coverage so the next layer sticks beautifully.

Step 4: Mix the Flavors

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the powdered sugar, finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries, and the crushed shortbread cookies. These three work together to turn your cereal from “tasty” to “absolutely magical.”

Step 5: Shake to Coat

Add the coated cereal to your bag of sugar-strawberry-cookie magic. Seal the bag well (this is crucial!) and shake with gusto until every morsel is blanketed in color and sweetness. This is where the “puppy chow” transformation happens.

Step 6: Let It Set

Spread your Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Give it a few minutes to cool and set—the coating will firm up just enough to make every bite perfectly snappable and snackable.

How to Serve Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow

Garnishes

Take it over the top with a few well-chosen garnishes: toss in extra whole freeze-dried strawberries, sprinkle with white chocolate shavings, or add a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving for extra flair. If you want to wow at a party, a scattering of edible flowers adds an Insta-worthy finish.

Side Dishes

This snack mix shines alone, but pairs beautifully with summertime treats: think a glass of cold lemonade, vanilla Greek yogurt for dipping, or even a scoop of strawberry ice cream. If you’re serving at brunch, set out fresh-cut fruit or chilled sparkling water for a refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is endlessly giftable and portable. Pack it in mason jars with cute ribbons for homemade gifts, fill cupcake liners for individual party servings, or mound it high in a trifle bowl for a buffet show-stopper. For movie nights, scoop it into paper cones and pass them around—guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover puppy chow in an airtight container and stash it at room temperature. It’ll stay delicious and crisp for up to 5 days—if you can resist eating it all before then! Keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent the chocolate from melting or becoming sticky.

Freezing

For longer storage, pop your Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow in a freezer-safe bag or container. It’ll freeze well for up to 2 months without losing flavor or crunch. Just let it thaw at room temperature for half an hour before serving and it’ll taste freshly made.

Reheating

No reheating needed! This no-bake treat is best enjoyed at room temperature, which means zero fuss if you’re packing it for a picnic, lunchbox, or midnight snack. Just give it a gentle shake to loosen any stuck-together pieces and your snack is good to go!

FAQs

Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate?

Absolutely! Just know that swapping out the white chocolate will give your Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow a richer flavor and a darker color. White chocolate mimics the creamy topping of classic strawberry shortcake, but feel free to experiment and see which you love best.

What if I can’t find freeze-dried strawberries?

No worries—most grocery stores or online retailers stock them these days, but if you’re in a pinch, you can try freeze-dried raspberries or even a little strawberry gelatin powder for color and flavor. The real deal adds the brightest zing, but a little creativity will still make a gorgeous, tasty mix.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

If you use gluten-free Chex and swap in gluten-free shortbread cookies, then yes, your Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow will be gluten-free. Always double-check packaging to be sure all your chosen ingredients are gluten-free if that’s a dietary need for you or your guests.

Can I make this with kids?

Definitely—it’s a great kitchen project for all ages! Younger helpers can do the shaking and help crush the strawberries and cookies (just use a bag and a rolling pin), while older kids can help with melting and mixing. Just make sure an adult handles the melted chocolate.

How can I keep the puppy chow from getting soggy?

Make sure to let the finished mix cool completely on a baking sheet before storing it, and always keep the container tightly sealed. Moisture can make things sticky, but a quick cool-down and an airtight home keep everything crisp and delightful.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the fun, fruity crunch of Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow. It’s simple, outrageously delicious, and ready to make any gathering just a little bit sweeter. Don’t be surprised if it disappears faster than you can say “strawberry shortcake”—give it a try and see why this is a treat everyone talks about long after the bowl is empty!

Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Easy Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is a delightful, sweet snack mix that combines the flavors of strawberries and shortcake with a crunchy twist. Perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

6 cups rice or corn Chex cereal
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup crushed shortbread cookies
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Prepare the Cereal: Place Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl.
Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
Coat the Cereal: Pour melted chocolate over cereal and gently toss until evenly coated.
Prepare the Coating: In a large resealable plastic bag, combine powdered sugar, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, and crushed shortbread cookies.
Coat the Cereal Again: Add coated cereal to the bag, seal, and shake until well coated.
Cool and Serve: Spread the mixture on a baking sheet to cool and set before serving.