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For those who enjoy cereal coated in a mixture of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, today I discovered that this delightful treat, known to many as Muddy Buddies (a term I’m more comfortable with than “puppy chow,” which has midwestern roots and doesn’t quite sit right with me), has various names such as “monkey munch,” “muddy munch,” “reindeer chow,” and “doggy bag,” according to Wikipedia. Interestingly, it’s categorized there as “candy,” which raises the question: why so? Perhaps it’s because it straddles the line between dessert and snack, though it’s widely recognized as an indulgent option.
As I’ve mentioned in past reflections on food culture, I have a soft spot for Chex Mix. Growing up, Chex was a staple in our pantry and even now, my father feeds our 15-year-old dog, Reginald, individual Rice Chex pieces because “he enjoys the sound it makes when he crunches them.” It’s an unusual form of ASMR, but it brings joy to both my dad and Reginald, and I respect that.
Now that I’m older, I probably shouldn’t indulge in Muddy Buddies as frequently as I do, but the truth is, they, alongside Cheddar snack mix, rank high on my list of go-to gas station snacks. They offer an impeccable balance of crunchy, creamy, sweet, and salty. Recently, while enjoying a bowl of Catalina Crunch, a popular low-sugar, high-fiber cereal, it struck me that “Muddy Buddying” should become a verb. Just like you can Caesar or French onion anything, any cereal can be transformed by being coated in chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. When I turned to TikTok to see if people were creating healthier versions with Catalina Crunch, I found they were indeed. Hence, I thought, why not take a stab at it right now?
To provide context on Catalina Crunch, I vaguely recall my initial introduction to this “healthy” cereal; it came during a not-so-serious exploration of a Kardashian/Jenner pantry, showcasing some intriguing products. Surprisingly, even influencers can sometimes offer good recommendations. There was also speculation that Kylie Jenner’s 2018 tweet about trying cereal with milk was hinting at Catalina Crunch. I don’t eat it frequently, but I’ve grown fond of the brand’s Cheddar snack mix.
Inspired by the Netflix series Is It Cake?, I conducted an experiment titled Does It Muddy Buddy? with the hypothesis that Catalina Crunch Muddy Buddies would taste remarkably similar to the classic version. Some individuals have a keen sensitivity to monk fruit and stevia, both used in Catalina Crunch cereals. However, the brand has recently introduced “taste improvements” and a Love Every Bite guarantee that allows customers to receive a reimbursement within seven days if they are unsatisfied. For those committed to enjoying the nutrients from Catalina Crunch without returning it, elevating it to Muddy Buddies is a creative solution, even if it means compromising on sugar content. That’s exactly what I did, and here are some images captured with my digital camera from years past.
The verdict: Yes, you can indeed make higher-protein, higher-fiber Muddy Buddies using Catalina Crunch. One of the great pleasures of crafting Muddy Buddies at home is the freedom to experiment intuitively with ingredient amounts. Even if you deviate from typical proportions of chocolate or peanut butter, the outcome is quite likely to please the palate.
With that said, here’s an easy guide to crafting your own version:
Ingredients
The “recipe”
Begin by placing butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for approximately 45 seconds, then stir until smooth. Include vanilla extract. Add the cereal to the mixture using a spatula to ensure even coating. Transfer the chocolaty cereal into a sealable plastic bag (something like a Ziplock), sprinkle powdered sugar on top, and shake vigorously until every piece of cereal is dusted beautifully. There you have it!
For those who strictly avoid sugar (or cannot consume it for health reasons), consider the popular alternative of using Catalina Crunch, sugar-free chocolate, and powdered monk fruit, as seen among creators on TikTok. While I prefer my treats to be as flavorful as possible, it is certainly an option.
Embrace your choices! I certainly do.
Catalina Crunch cereal can be found at Catalina Crunch.
Source
www.eater.com