These no-bake cookies are sweet and crunchy and filled with chocolate and peanut butter flavors. I've always enjoyed muddy buddies and these muddy buddy cookies taste just as amazing as the snack mix.
If you are looking for a new dessert to make, try this twist on the traditional snack. There are a few steps to make these peanut buttery cookies but they are simple to make.
Peanut Butter Muddy Buddy Cookies
I have always been a big fan of the traditional muddy buddies snack mix. Some people call this mix puppy chow. When a friend of mine told me that she has a cookie that tasted just like muddy buddies at a party, I knew I had to get in the kitchen and give it a try to see if I could make some no-bake cookies that taste like the snack mix.
Ingredients
You only need six basic ingredients to make these delicious no bake cookies. You may not even need to make a trip to the store.
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- creamy peanut butter
- unsalted butter
- vanilla extract
- rice chex cereal
- powdered sugar
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
To make these delicious cluster cookies you only need to follow these six simple steps. Muddy buddy peanut butter cookies are sweet and family friendly.
Step 1: Melt the chocolate
Place the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter into a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Microwave another 30 seconds, stir. Keep microwaving at 15-second intervals until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 2: Coat the cereal
Place the cereal in a very large bowl. Add ⅓ of the chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Repeat 2 more times until the cereal is evenly coated.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
In parchment-lined sheet trays, add 2 tablespoon-sized dollops of the cereal mixture, not touching onto the trays. I like to gently pack the cluster with the back of a spoon to make sure the cereal is sticking to itself.
Step 5: Chill the cookies
Place in the freezer for 30 minutes or the fridge for 2 hours so they can harden.
Step 6: Roll in sugar
Place the powdered sugar in a bowl. One at a time, place a cookie cluster in the powdered sugar and coat it. Tap off the excess and place the cookie back on the sheet tray. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
Substitutions
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this Muddy Buddy Cookies.
- Almond Butter - Almond butter makes for a great muddy buddy cookie also.
- Crunchy Peanut Butter - Do you like nuts? Use crunchy peanut butter for a nutty crunch.
Variations
Want to personalize this recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this muddy buddy peanut butter cookies recipe.
- Nutella- Use Nutella in place of the peanut butter for a hazelnut and chocolate taste.
- Cookie Butter - Use cookie butter if you want a cookie dough taste to your cookies.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these No Bake Pretzel Cookies.
Equipment
You only need three basic kitchen tools to make this delicious recipe. Easy recipe with easy clean up!
- microwave safe mixing bowl
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
Storage
These cookies can be store in an airtight container for up to one week. There is no need to chill these cookies, but be sure to keep them away from heat sources.
Tips
Are you ready to make these peanut butter muddy buddy cookies? Here are my best tips for these cookies.
- These cookies need to be kept in the fridge or freezer. If they become room temperature, the clusters will not stick together as well.
- Fair warning, these a TOTALLY messy, make sure you have a napkin or plate on hand to catch falling powdered sugar, but such a fun treat! You can make them as big or little as you like, but I keep them to 1-2 bites sized so they are easier to eat.
- You know when you make regular muddy buddies and there are those clusters that don’t always get separated when you are coating them in powdered sugar. These are those amazing clusters but in done internationally, my favorite part!
- You can use any type of chocolate chips you want, I prefer semi-sweet since we use so much powdered sugar, the end result isn’t overly sweet.
- Make sure you use good-quality chocolate that melts easily.
- You can use chunky peanut butter or even add chopped peanuts to the mixture or other nuts!
- This will work with almond butter.
More Cookie Recipes
Do you like cookie recipes? Here some recipes you may also like to try:
FAQ
Do you have questions about Muddy Buddy cookies? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this easy recipe.
Yes! These cookies freeze well. Store them in a freezer safe bag or container for up to three months.
Certainly! These cookies are easy to double. Just make sure you leave enough space on your baking sheet so you may need two.
Yes, this cookies are excellent made ahead. I recommend making them no more than 24 hours ahead.
Video
Muddy Buddy Cookies Recipe
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Muddy Buddy Cookies
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into slices
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 cups rice chex cereal
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Get out and measure your ingredients.
- Place the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter into a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Microwave another 30 seconds, stir.
- Keep microwaving at 15-second intervals until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Place the cereal in a very large bowl. Add ⅓ of the chocolate mixture and stir to combine.
- Repeat 2 more times until the cereal is evenly coated.
- In parchment-lined sheet trays, add 2 tablespoon-sized dollops of the cereal mixture, not touching onto the trays. I like to gently pack the cluster with the back of a spoon to make sure the cereal is sticking to itself.
- Place in the freezer for 30 minutes or the fridge for 2 hours so they can harden.
- Place the powdered sugar in a bowl. One at a time, place a cookie cluster in the powdered sugar and coat it.
- Tap off the excess and place the cookie back on the sheet tray.
- Repeat with the remaining cookies.
- Enjoy every bite!
Notes
- These cookies need to be kept in the fridge or freezer. If they become room temperature, the clusters will not stick together as well.
- Fair warning, these a TOTALLY messy, make sure you have a napkin or plate on hand to catch falling powdered sugar, but such a fun treat! You can make them as big or little as you like, but I keep them to 1-2 bites sized so they are easier to eat.
- You know when you make regular muddy buddies and there are those clusters that don’t always get separated when you are coating them in powdered sugar. These are those amazing clusters but in done internationally, my favorite part!
- You can use any type of chocolate chips you want, I prefer semi-sweet since we use so much powdered sugar, the end result isn’t overly sweet.
- Make sure you use good-quality chocolate that melts easily.
- You can use chunky peanut butter or even add chopped peanuts to the mixture or other nuts!
- This will work with almond butter.
Leave a Reply