Brownie Batter Puppy Chow {or Muddy Buddies}

For 16 Cups, Brownie Batter Puppy Chow {or Muddy Buddies} keeps the list centered on Rice Chex cereal, semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. Set aside about 20 minutes.

• Yield 16 Cups
• Ready in 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 9 cups Rice Chex cereal ((about 255 grams) which is half of a family-size box)
• 2 cups semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• Pinch of coarse kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups dry brownie mix powder (( for substitutions))
• 4 cups small pretzels

Instructions

1. Pour the cereal into a large bowl.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave at 1-minute intervals, stirring inbetween, until the mixture is smooth and creamy (don't overheat). Stir in the salt.
3. Drizzle the chocolate mixture over the cereal and using a flat rubber spatula (this works better than using a thick spoon, which tends to crush the cereal), fold the mixture until the cereal is evenly coated with the warm mixture.
4. Place the dry brownie mix in a large bag and add the chocolate-covered cereal (you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your bag). Close the bag and shake like your life depends on it until the cereal is coated with the dry mixture.
5. If there are still uncoated pieces when you open the tupperware, toss everything together a couple times with your hands. Discard any dry mix that sits at the bottom of the bag or tupperware.
6. Let the mixture cool completely and add pretzels.
7. This keeps for several days well-covered at room temperature.

Let the center settle before you cut it, or the slices will slump.