Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

If classic puppy chow met a slice of cherry cheesecake, this would be their delicious snack baby. You get the crunch of cereal, the tang of cream cheese, the sweetness of white chocolate and powdered sugar, and a hit of fruity cherry flavor that makes it feel just fancy enough to bring to a party.

Why You’ll Love It

• No-bake + 15-minute prep = instant snack win
• Cheesecake flavor without turning on the oven
• Perfect for holidays, movie nights, or edible gifting
• Easy to customize with add-ins like dried cherries or mini marshmallows
• Totally halal-friendly with simple, everyday ingredients

Time & Yield

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Chill Time (optional): 10–15 minutes
• Total Time: 20–30 minutes
• Yield: About 6 cups
• Calories per ½ cup serving: ~210

Ingredients

• 6 cups Rice Chex cereal (or any crispy square cereal)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 box (3.4 oz) cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix (dry)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup freeze-dried cherries or dried cherries, chopped

Use halal-certified ingredients if needed—especially for pudding mix and marshmallows (if you add them).

How to Make Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow

1. Prep Your Mixing Tools

• Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
• Place cereal in a large mixing bowl.

2. Melt the Chocolate Mixture

• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine:
  • White chocolate chips
  • Butter
  • Cream cheese
• Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
• Stir in vanilla extract.

Cream cheese can thicken the mixture fast—make sure to melt low and slow!

3. Coat the Cereal

• Pour the warm chocolate-cheesecake mixture over the cereal.
• Gently stir with a spatula to coat evenly—work quickly but gently to avoid crushing the cereal.

4. Shake in Sweetness

• In a large zip-top bag or bowl with a lid, combine:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Cheesecake pudding mix (dry)
• Add the coated cereal and shake until evenly coated.

5. Add the Cherries

• Spread the mix on your prepared sheet to cool and set for 10–15 minutes.
• Once cool, gently mix in freeze-dried or chopped dried cherries.

6. Snack & Store

• Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

You can chill it in the fridge if you want extra firm bites!

Fun Add-Ins & Variations

• Mini marshmallows or mini white chocolate chips
• Graham cracker pieces for cheesecake crust vibes
• Crushed freeze-dried strawberries for a mixed berry version
• Almond or pistachio slivers for a crunchier bite
• Sprinkles or red & pink M&Ms for Valentine’s Day

FAQ

Can I use regular cherries or maraschino cherries?
Stick with freeze-dried or dried—fresh or syrupy cherries will make the mix soggy.

Is this halal?
Yes, as long as your pudding mix, cream cheese, and any candy add-ins are halal-certified.

Can I use strawberry pudding instead of cheesecake?
Sure! It’ll still taste great, just more like strawberry shortcake than cheesecake.

Can I make this dairy-free?
You can try using dairy-free white chocolate and vegan cream cheese—just note the texture may be slightly different.

Final Thoughts

Cherry Cheesecake Puppy Chow is sweet, creamy, fruity, and crazy addictive. It’s perfect for gifting, holiday snacking, or bringing to a party—and it always disappears fast. It’s everything you love about cheesecake and snack mix, wrapped up in one easy, no-bake bowl of joy.

Print