Chocolate Hazelnut Muddy Buddies: Tender, juicy, and flavorful.:

A Messy, Happy Memory

I first made these with my grandson, Leo. We got chocolate on the ceiling. I still laugh at that. The kitchen was a wonderful disaster.

That is the best part of cooking. It is not about being perfect. It is about making a happy mess with people you love. That memory matters more than a clean kitchen.

Why This Simple Treat is Special

This recipe is pure magic. You mix a few simple things. Then you shake it all up. Suddenly, you have a mountain of sweet, crunchy joy.

It is a no-bake recipe. This is great for hot days. It is also perfect for young cooks. You learn how to melt, mix, and coat. These are good kitchen skills to have.

The Chocolatey Goodness

Let’s talk about that sauce. Chocolate and Nutella melting together. Doesn’t that smell amazing? The vanilla and salt make it even better.

The salt is a secret hero. It makes the chocolate taste richer. *Fun fact:* A little salt makes sweet things taste even sweeter. You will not taste the salt itself. You will just taste more chocolate.

The Best Way to Shake It

Now for the fun part. You put the cereal and sugar in a bag. Then you shake it! Use a big, strong bag. Trust me on this.

I like to put on some music. We all shake the bag together. It feels like a little kitchen dance party. What songs would you play while you shake your muddy buddies?

A Little Kitchen Lesson

Be gentle when you mix. The cereal can break. I learned this the hard way. My first batch was a bit crumbly.

This teaches us patience. Good things take a little time. Letting the mix set for an hour is tough. But it makes the snack so much better. The crunch is worth the wait.

Your Turn to Share

Did you try this with a friend or your family? I would love to hear your story. Tell me about your own kitchen adventure.

What is your favorite no-bake treat? Is it this one, or something else? Share your favorite in the comments below. I read every one.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Semisweet Chocolate	1 cup
Nutella	1 cup
Unsalted Butter	8 tablespoons
Water	1/4 cup
Vanilla Extract	1 teaspoon
Coarse Kosher Salt	1/2 teaspoon
Chex Cereal	8 cups
Powdered Sugar	2 cups
Mini Chocolate Chips	1/4 cup

My Favorite Chocolate Hazelnut Muddy Buddies

Oh, these little treats bring back such happy memories. My grandson calls them “muddy buddies.” I just call them delicious. They are the perfect mix of crunchy, chocolatey, and sweet. Making them is almost as fun as eating them. I love how simple it is for little hands to help, too.

Let’s get our big bowl ready. I always use my largest one for this. It gives us plenty of room to mix without making a mess. Trust me, you’ll want that space. The best part is shaking everything in the bag. It feels like a little kitchen party.

Ingredients

• 9 cups Chex cereal (rice or corn)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Let’s melt everything together. Put your chocolate, Nutella, and butter in a saucepan. Add the water, vanilla, and salt, too. Warm it on the stove over medium heat. Stir it until it’s all smooth and shiny. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Step 2: Now, pour that gorgeous chocolate sauce over the cereal. Be gentle when you mix it. I like to use a big rubber spatula. You want to coat every single piece. (A hard-learned tip: Do not stir vigorously! The cereal breaks easily.)

Step 3: Here is the fun part. Put half the powdered sugar in a big bag. Add half of your sticky cereal. Now seal that bag tight. Shake it, shake it, shake it! I still laugh at how my grandkids fight over this job.

Step 4: Pour your snowy cereal onto a baking sheet. Then do the other half with the rest of the sugar and cereal. Let it all sit for about an hour. This waiting is the hardest part, I know. What’s your favorite part of this recipe? Share below!

Step 5: Once it’s set, you can mix in the mini chocolate chips. I use my hands to do this gently. Then just store it in a container. If it lasts that long! This is our favorite for movie nights.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Snack, Dessert

Let’s Mix It Up!

This recipe is wonderful as it is. But sometimes, it’s fun to play with your food. You can add so many different things to make it your own. Here are a few ideas my family loves. They are all so simple and tasty.

Pretzel Power: Swap one cup of cereal for mini pretzels. You get a sweet and salty crunch.

Peanut Butter Swirl: Add a big spoonful of peanut butter to the melted chocolate. It’s so good.

Festive Confetti: Mix in some colorful sprinkles with the chocolate chips. Perfect for a birthday.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Snack Creation

I love seeing these muddy buddies in a big, pretty bowl. It makes everyone feel welcome. You can also put little portions in paper cones for a party. It keeps little fingers from digging in the main bowl. I think presentation is part of the love.

What should you drink with these? For the kids, a tall glass of cold milk is perfect. It cuts the sweetness just right. For the grown-ups, a nice cup of coffee with cream is lovely. The bitter coffee tastes great with the chocolate.

Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Muddy Buddies Perfectly Crunchy

You will want to keep these treats in an airtight container. A cookie tin or plastic tub works great. They will stay crunchy for about a week this way.

I do not recommend freezing them. The powdered sugar can get a little weird and wet. It changes the lovely texture.

I learned this the hard way. I once froze a big batch for a party. They were a bit soggy when they thawed. I was so disappointed.

Making a big batch is a wonderful time-saver. It means you always have a sweet snack ready for guests. This matters because it makes life a little easier. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Fixing Common Muddy Buddy Mistakes

First, your cereal pieces might break. Always toss the mix gently with your hands. Do not stir it with a spoon.

Second, the coating might be too thick. If your chocolate sauce seizes up, add a tiny splash of warm water. Stir until it becomes smooth again.

I remember when I rushed and broke all the cereal. We had more crumbs than bites. It was a sad day.

Fixing these small issues builds your confidence in the kitchen. It also makes sure your treats taste amazing every single time. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Muddy Buddy Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use a gluten-free cereal like gluten-free Chex.

Q: How far ahead can I make it? A: You can make it up to a week ahead. Just store it in that airtight container.

Q: What if I don’t have Nutella? A: You can use any chocolate-hazelnut spread. A different brand will work just fine.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Of course. Just cut all the ingredients in half. It is a very forgiving recipe.

Q: Any fun add-in ideas? A: Try adding a handful of mini marshmallows. They add a lovely chewy surprise. Which tip will you try first?

Sharing the Sweetness

I hope you love making this snack as much as I do. It always brings a smile to my face. This recipe is perfect for parties or a simple treat.

*Fun fact: This snack is also called “puppy chow” in some parts of the country.* I would love to see your creations. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at Lena’s Cozy Kitchen.

Happy cooking!

—Lena Morales.