In our family, we’ve got certain desserts, appetizers or dishes that we make only on certain occasions, and Puppy Chow is saved for New Year’s Eve. The reason they call it Puppy Chow is that it resembles the stuff with its powdered coating. I probably shouldn’t be confessing this, but when I was small child I just had to try the Puppy Chow we had for our lab mix. So I can honestly tell you that this stuff is better. Bonus: This easy-peasy, tasty treat is a snap to make:

1/2 a stick of real butter

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 t. vanilla

1.5 c. powdered sugar

9 c. rice or corn Chex (a 12 oz. box of cereal will due here)

Pour Chex into large bowl. Melt butter in medium-sized saucepan over low heat. Add in peanut butter and chocolate chips, mixing until fully melted and combined. Remove from heat, add vanilla and mix well. Pour chocolate mixture over Chex, and mix gently and thoroughly with a spoon until all of the cereal is covered with chocolate. Then add the 1.5 c. powdered sugar, and mix well again, making sure to coat all pieces thoroughly. Spread on a cookie sheet to cool. Store in an airtight container in a cool place. Doesn’t have to be in the fridge but don’t keep it where it will get warm, like near the stove or near a furnace vent. This treat is easily 15 minutes from start to finish, and goes over well with everyone we serve it to.