Gluten Free Hot Cocoa Muddy Buddies

Is it wrong to admit as a grown up that I LOVE Muddy Buddies?  It is a snack I just cannot get enough of.  With all of our food allergies though we’ve had to make some modifications to make sure that they are safe for all of us.  We make sure to use Rice Chex instead of a mix of Rice and Corn (since I can’t have Corn) and avoid any of the Chex varieties that have gluten in them.  I also take care to buy peanut butter that is gluten free and does not contain corn syrup or any artificial ingredients.  The Hot Cocoa Muddy Buddies are coated with a hot cocoa mix with just 5 simple ingredients that are also all natural (and contain no corn syrup or corn starch).  The only thing that I can’t have is the mini marshmallows and those are easy to pick out.  This is the perfect winter snack for after a cold day of playing in the snow!  Warm up with a bowl of Hot Cocoa Muddy Buddies and a mug of hot cocoa or coffee!

Gluten Free Hot Cocoa Muddy Buddies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 18 oz Rice Chex Cereal
• 1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips – Plus 1 Cup for adding to mix
• 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter – I used All Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1/2 Cup Real Butter
• 1 tsp Real Vanilla
• 1 1/2 Cups Hot Cocoa (or about 8 packets) – I used Simple Ingredient Hot Cocoa with no corn syrup
• 2 Cups Mini Marshmallows

Gluten Free Hot Cocoa Muddy Buddies Recipe Instructions:

Pour cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

In a large microwave safe bowl melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter by microwaving on high for about 1 minute.  Stir then return to the microwave for an additional 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth when stirred.  Add in vanilla.

Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal.  Stir to coat the cereal well.  Try to get all of the cereal evenly coated.

Add the hot cocoa and stir until well coated.  You could also place the cereal mixture into a resealable plastic bag and add the hot cocoa and shake to coat.

Once the cereal is coated with the hot cocoa stir in the remaining chocolate chips and the mini marshmallows.

Store in an air tight container until ready to serve.

You could package this Gluten Free Hot Cocoa Muddy Buddies Recipe into mason jars and give as a perfect holiday DIY gift as well!  Have you ever tried Muddy Buddies?