It's Kinda Like Crack...

Puppy Chow!

...Not that I've ever had crack before, but this stuff is uber addicting!  It's called Puppy Chow, and no, it's not for dogs.  They cannot and certainly should not eat it.  I've been contemplating on changing the name because every time I tell someone what it is, their response is, "like dog food?" and then proceed to wrinkle their nose in disgust, or something  along those lines.  But then, it just wouldn't be the same.  It wouldn't stick even if I did change the name of it.  It's been that for so long.  This recipe is not in the Southern Living cookbook, but in lieu of the upcoming holidays, I made like 3 freaking batches of it and thought it worthy of blogging about.  I had to do one batch at a time because I didn't have a bowl big enough for it all.  I made a big mess too.  I had to wipe down the counters like 6 times!!!  Puppy Chow has been a long time holiday tradition in my family. More like a staple.  Every year someone asks, "Where's the Puppy Chow?"  Momzy taught me how to make this long before she let me start baking.  I mean seriously, I was probably like 3.  When I was little she started me a cookbook, which was only a spiral notebook mind you, but it was still mine.  She had me write down all the recipes we made together and ones to try too.  I still have it to this day!  And Puppy Chow is one of the first recipes in it.  It's the only place I have the recipe written down.  Because it's Christmas and I feel all cheery and giving, I thought I would share it with all of you.  However...I have made a few changes over the years as I have become more adventurous in my baking and candy making, not that I've ever been a chocolatier or anything, but I'm giving you the recipe as is, and fill in where I've made substitutions and additions.  So Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Ho Ho Ho!!!

The original recipe

 Puppy Chow
1 18oz box Honey Grahm Cereal
1 15oz box Golden raisins (I substitute pretzel rods chopped into 1/4in pieces)
1 12oz can mixed nuts
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 12oz jar chunky peanut butter
1 tsp Vanilla
1 lb bag confectioners sugar
1 stick margarine (butter makes it too greasy, trust me on this)
*this year I added cinnamon almonds yum!

In a very large bowl (the biggest one you can find) combine cereal, raisins, and nuts (and pretzels).  In medium sauce pan, melt together chocolate chips, peanut butter, and margarine.  Stir in vanilla and pour over cereal mixture.  Put confectioners sugar in a large, unscented kitchen garbage bag.  Add the mixture, twisting the top closed, and shake up until all is coated. (Use hands for most of the mixing to separate all the pieces).  After mixed, even out into pans to cool completely.  Store in airtight container.  *side note:  store in individual serving sizes so you don't accidentally eat the entire batch all at once.  Don't say I didn't warn you!  :-)