There’s something so purely joyful about funfetti desserts — that mix of color, crunch, and nostalgia that instantly brings a smile to your face. This Cake Batter Puppy Chow is the ultimate no-bake treat for any celebration. Imagine crispy Chex cereal coated in buttery vanilla white chocolate, tossed with rainbow sprinkles, and dusted in sweet powdered sugar. Every bite is light, crunchy, and bursting with “birthday cake” flavor. It’s magic in snack form — quick to make, impossible to resist, and guaranteed to disappear faster than you expect!
Whether you call it funfetti puppy chow, birthday cake snack mix, or simply your new favorite sweet treat, this recipe is one you’ll find yourself coming back to over and over again. I love making it for movie nights, birthdays, bake sales, or as a cheerful gift in little jars tied with ribbon. With minimal ingredients and just 15 minutes of prep, you’ll be amazed at how such a simple recipe can deliver so much joy.
Why You’ll Love It
- Quick & Easy: Ready in 15 minutes — no baking required!
- Sweetly Crunchy: A perfect balance of smooth coating and crisp cereal texture.
- Party-Perfect: Bursting with color from rainbow sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Easy to make and even more fun to eat — perfect for family days!
- Make-Ahead Magic: Stays fresh for up to a week in an airtight container.
- Customizable: Add candy bits, drizzle with chocolate, or use themed sprinkles for holidays.
Time Needed
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 5 cups
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups Rice Chex® cereal
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 8 ounces white chocolate or vanilla melting wafers
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup rainbow sprinkles (use a mix of jimmies and nonpareils)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Melt the coating In a small saucepan over low heat, combine butter, white chocolate, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Be careful not to overheat — white chocolate melts quickly!
- Coat the cereal Place the Rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Pour the melted mixture over the top and gently fold with a spatula until each piece is evenly coated in that luscious cake-batter glaze.
- Add the sprinkles Before it cools, sprinkle in your rainbow jimmies and nonpareils. Toss lightly to distribute evenly — the warmth will help the sprinkles stick beautifully to the coating.
- Shake with powdered sugar Transfer the coated cereal to a large zip-top bag or container with a tight-fitting lid. Add powdered sugar, seal, and shake gently until everything is covered in sweet, powdery bliss.
- Cool & serve Spread the mixture on parchment paper to cool and set for a few minutes. Once dry, store it in an airtight container — or go ahead and enjoy a handful right away (Chef’s orders!).
Variations to Try
- Birthday Bash: Add mini marshmallows and candy-coated chocolates for an extra fun twist.
- Valentine’s Day: Use pink and red sprinkles with strawberry extract for a festive flair.
- Chocolate Lovers: Drizzle with melted milk chocolate once cooled for double decadence.
- Holiday Cheer: Swap rainbow sprinkles for red, green, and white to make a Christmas version!
Tips from Chef Emma
- Always melt chocolate on low heat — slow and steady keeps it silky.
- Use a spatula to fold gently and avoid crushing the cereal.
- For extra “cake” flavor, add 1 tablespoon of boxed white cake mix before the powdered sugar step.
- Store with parchment between layers to keep pieces from sticking.
- This makes a wonderful edible gift — pack in jars and tie with a colorful ribbon!
Nutrition Info per Serving
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 648
- Carbohydrates: 101g
- Sugars: 81g
- Fat: 26g
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 239mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Can I make Cake Batter Puppy Chow ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! It stays crunchy for up to a week when stored in an airtight container. - Q: Can I use white chocolate chips?
A: White chocolate chips have stabilizers that don’t melt as smoothly. Use melting wafers for best results. - Q: Can I skip the almond extract?
A: You can, but it’s the secret to that perfect “birthday cake” flavor! - Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: Yes — just ensure your Rice Chex and sprinkles are certified gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
This Cake Batter Puppy Chow is everything I love about baking — colorful, cheerful, and made for sharing. With every handful, you’ll taste buttery sweetness and crunchy funfetti magic. Whether for birthdays, parties, or cozy nights at home, this easy no-bake recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles. Save this recipe to your dessert board so it’s ready for your next celebration!
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Cake Batter Puppy Chow – Sweet Funfetti Magic & Crunchy Bliss in Every Bite
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 5 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cake Batter Puppy Chow is a quick 15-minute no-bake snack that combines buttery white chocolate, vanilla, and rainbow sprinkles for a funfetti treat everyone loves. Sweet, colorful, and irresistibly crunchy!
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups Rice Chex cereal
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 8 oz white chocolate or vanilla melting wafers
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup rainbow sprinkles
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Melt butter, chocolate, and extracts over low heat until smooth.
- Pour over cereal and stir gently to coat.
- Add sprinkles while warm and mix evenly.
- Transfer to a bag with powdered sugar and shake to coat.
- Spread to cool and store airtight.
Notes
For stronger cake flavor, add a tablespoon of dry cake mix before shaking with sugar. Use themed sprinkles for any occasion. Keeps for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 648
- Sugar: 81g
- Sodium: 239mg
- Fat: 26g
- Carbohydrates: 101g
- Protein: 4g
Keywords: cake batter puppy chow, funfetti puppy chow, no-bake dessert, birthday snack mix, sweet chex mix