How to Make Puppy Chow for People

Not every puppy chow is intended for dogs, especially this combination of square cereal, chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar. Best served to humans, this sweet treat derives its name from its appearance as dog food, but it tastes far better. Enough for a dozen, this dessert can be served in a large bowl -- even better if it looks like a dog dish -- or parceled out into smaller decorative bags.

Things You'll Need

• 9 cup corn, rice or wheat square cereal, or a combination
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Measure the nine cups of cereal into a large bowl.

2. Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter or margarine in a small saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon constantly to avoid burning. Remove the saucepan from the heat as soon as the chocolate chips are melted. Stir in the vanilla extract.

3. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal in the large bowl. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to coat.

4. Pour the powdered sugar into a large 2-gallon resealable food storage bag. Spoon in the coated cereal into the storage bag, seal the top and shake to thoroughly coat the cereal mixture in powdered sugar.

5. Spread the coated cereal on a large cookie sheet and allow to cool thoroughly. Or, place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes for a cooler, crunchier variation. Store the people puppy chow in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Tips & Warnings

• While the name of the recipe is Puppy Chow, never give any food items containing chocolate to dogs or puppies; their inability to digest chocolate can cause severe illness or even death.