Quick Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow
I remember making this Quick Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow on a rainy afternoon when I wanted something playful, fast, and strawberry-forward. It’s a crunchy, sweet snack built on Chex cereal, white chocolate, and a hit of strawberry cake mix, finished with powdered sugar and diced berries. Perfect for an impromptu dessert, kids’ snack plates, or a last-minute potluck contribution. If you like quick strawberry treats, try Glazed Strawberry Bread for another simple bake with big flavor.
Why you’ll love this dish
This puppy chow takes the familiar comfort of muddy-buddies and gives it a strawberry shortcake spin. It’s ready in about 15–20 minutes, needs no oven time, and uses pantry staples plus a handful of fresh strawberries for brightness. Families love it because kids can help toss the cereal; hosts like it because it travels well—when you skip the fresh strawberries or add them at the last minute.
“Sweet, crunchy, and impossibly quick—my new go-to for parties.” — a reader test-review after trying the recipe
Beyond being fun, this recipe is economical and customizable. If you want another no-bake strawberry snack that’s protein-packed, check out No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls which pair well with the puppy chow on a dessert platter.
Step-by-step overview
Before you start: this recipe is really a simple assembly. You’ll toss dry cereal with strawberry cake mix, melt white chocolate with butter, coat the cereal, dust with powdered sugar, then fold in diced strawberries. Cooling lets the coating set so pieces stay separated for serving. If you prefer crunch that lasts, use freeze-dried strawberries or add fresh berries just before serving.
What you’ll need
- 1 cup Chex cereal (any variety; gluten-free if needed)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup strawberry cake mix
- 1/2 cup diced strawberries (see storage notes below)
- 1/2 cup melted butter (start with 1/2 cup and measure before melting)
Substitutions and notes:
- Use gluten-free Chex for a GF version.
- For longer-lasting crunch, substitute freeze-dried strawberries for the fresh diced berries.
- If white chocolate isn’t available, vanilla almond bark or white candy melts are good swaps.
Step-by-step instructions
- Put the Chex cereal into a large bowl. Sprinkle the strawberry cake mix over the cereal. Gently stir until the cereal is evenly dusted.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and butter. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted. Don’t overheat—the chocolate should be glossy.
- Pour the melted chocolate-and-butter mixture over the cake-mix-coated cereal. Use a large spatula to toss and coat every piece.
- Add the powdered sugar to the coated cereal. Toss or stir until all pieces have a light, even dusting.
- Let the mixture cool briefly so the chocolate firms slightly. Then fold in the diced strawberries very gently so you don’t mash them or make the mixture soggy.
- Spread the puppy chow out on a baking sheet lined with parchment to finish cooling and prevent sticking.
- Once fully cool, serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container for short-term storage.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve this puppy chow in parchment-lined bowls for a casual party snack. It’s also great sprinkled over vanilla ice cream, stirred into Greek yogurt for a dessert parfait, or packed into small cellophane bags tied with ribbon for party favors. For a brunch spread, pair it with a warm fruit casserole like Quick Blueberry French Toast Casserole to balance the crunchy sweetness with soft, baked flavors.
Storage and reheating tips
Because fresh strawberries add moisture, store leftovers differently depending on whether you used fresh or freeze-dried fruit:
- With fresh strawberries: keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 24 hours. Expect the cereal to soften over time.
- With freeze-dried strawberries: store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3–5 days. The crisp texture holds up best this way.
Freezing is possible if you omit fresh berries—place cooled puppy chow in a freezer-safe bag and freeze up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature; avoid refrigeration unless the mix contains fresh fruit. Always discard if you notice off smells or visible mold.
Helpful cooking tips
- Melt chocolate gently: use short microwave bursts and stir between them, or use a double boiler to avoid burning.
- Keep pieces separated: cool on a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet; shaking in a large zip-top bag with powdered sugar works well for even coating.
- Add fresh strawberries last: fold them in only when the coated cereal has cooled slightly to prevent melting and clumping.
- Make it ahead strategically: prepare the base (without fresh berries) and add fresh diced strawberries just before serving for best texture.
- For easy cleanup, line bowls and trays with parchment or wax paper.
Creative twists
- Strawberry crunch swap: use freeze-dried strawberries for intense flavor and better shelf life.
- Chocolate variation: stir in a couple tablespoons of strawberry jam into the melted white chocolate for an extra punch of flavor, or use pink-tinted white chocolate for festive occasions.
- Nutty add-ins: mix in 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds or pecans) after cooling for textural contrast.
- Healthier spin: replace powdered sugar with a lighter dusting of stevia-based confectioners sugar and swap white chocolate for yogurt-covered chips.
- Meal-pairing idea: turn this into a handheld dessert box with mini muffins or a savory option like Quick Chicken Casserole on the same buffet for balance.
If you want low-carb or protein-forward recipes alongside this snack, try these 12 Quick and Easy Low-Carb High-Protein Meals for meal planning ideas.
Common questions
Q: How long does this take to make?
A: Active time is about 10–15 minutes. Cooling takes another 10–15 minutes depending on room temperature.
Q: Can I omit the fresh strawberries?
A: Yes. If you want the snack to keep longer and stay crunchy, use freeze-dried strawberries or skip them entirely. Fresh berries make it perishable within a day.
Q: Is there a good substitute for strawberry cake mix?
A: You can use a tablespoon of strawberry gelatin powder plus a teaspoon of cornstarch to mimic the flavor and help with coating. Alternatively, a light dusting of freeze-dried strawberry powder works well.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Use dairy-free white chocolate and a plant-based butter substitute. Texture may vary slightly but it will still work.
Q: How should I transport this for a party?
A: Pack in shallow airtight containers or disposable tins lined with parchment. If you include fresh strawberries, transport chilled and add them at the destination if possible.
Q: Can I add mix-ins like M&Ms or nuts?
A: Absolutely. Add any fragile or melt-prone mix-ins after cooling so they don’t get coated or melted into the chocolate.
Quick Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow
Ingredients
Method
- Put the Chex cereal into a large bowl. Sprinkle the strawberry cake mix over the cereal and gently stir until the cereal is evenly dusted.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and butter. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted.
- Pour the melted chocolate-and-butter mixture over the cake-mix-coated cereal. Use a spatula to toss and coat every piece.
- Add the powdered sugar to the coated cereal and toss or stir until all pieces have a light, even dusting.
- Let the mixture cool briefly so the chocolate firms slightly. Then fold in the diced strawberries gently to avoid mashing.
- Spread the puppy chow out on a baking sheet lined with parchment to finish cooling and prevent sticking.
- Once fully cool, serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container for short-term storage.
