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50 Desserts to Serve on Thanksgiving

Have you started planning the menu for your Thanksgiving dinner? Are you looking for some dynamite dessert recipes that will satisfy your guests' collective sweet tooth? Be sure to check out this amazing round-up of 50 Thanksgiving dessert recipes on Taste As You Go! This post was updated with new links and photos in November 2021. Ahhhh...  November.  I have been waiting for you (and all that you bring) for months . Specifically, I have been counting down to that glorious day spent with family and loved ones around a long table packed to the gills with platters and bowls of comfort food and happy memories. Of course, I'm talking about Thanksgiving. This year, we're spending the holiday with my family in Connecticut and I. Cannot. Wait. You better believe I'm going to use my pregnancy as an excuse to eat three full plates of food plus  five slices of whatever we've got going on at the dessert end of the meal! (Because I'm eating for two, right??) In

Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow

Looking for a fun and festive no-bake treat this holiday season? Then look no more!

Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow | Taste As You Go

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Oh, friends... Can I just tell you how embarrassed I am about how long I agonized over what to name this recipe?

(You can measure the time in hours...)

I was torn between two possible options because, depending on who you ask, the classic version of this insanely addictive snack can be called "muddy buddies" or "puppy chow".

It has always been muddy buddies for me, and I have fond memories of learning how to make huge batches of it in my middle school home economics class. In fact, I don't think I actually met anyone who always knew it as puppy chow until I was in graduate school.

Despite my personal attachments, I finally decided to call my holiday version of this sweet treat Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow because I'm a fan of alliteration. I mean, it rolls off the tongue more smoothly, right?

But I digress...

Rather than call for a mixture of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, this twist on puppy chow is inspired by the peppermint bark sold in red and white tins during the winter months. If peppermint bark is your jam, then you're going to love this.

Since peppermint bark traditionally consists of a layer of dark chocolate topped with a layer of white chocolate topped with pieces of peppermint candy, you'll find those same components in my Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow.

(If you prefer one chocolate over the other, then feel free to use all dark chocolate or all white chocolate in yours.)

Rice Chex Cereal | Taste As You Go

Start with a bowl of Rice Chex cereal.

Ghirardelli Dark Melting Wafers | Taste As You Go

Then take a cup of dark chocolate melting wafers...

Melted Dark Chocolate | Taste As You Go

and melt them over a double boiler (or in the microwave according to package direction) until the chocolate is smooth and shiny.

Rice Chex Cereal and Melted Dark Chocolate | Taste As You Go

Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal...

Rice Chex Cereal and Melted Dark Chocolate | Taste As You Go

and carefully fold the cereal and chocolate together until all of the cereal pieces have been coated.

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow | Taste As You Go

Stir in some crushed candy canes and then spread the mixture out onto a baking sheet that's been lined with waxed paper to cool.

Rice Chex Cereal | Taste As You Go

As you may have guessed, you're going to follow the same steps for the pieces with white chocolate. Put some more cereal in a clean bowl.

Ghirardelli White Melting Wafers | Taste As You Go

Then take a cup of white chocolate melting wafers...

Melted White Chocolate | Taste As You Go

and melt over a double boiler until smooth.

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow | Taste As You Go

Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal and stir gently to coat. Stir in the rest of your crushed candy canes and then spread the mixture out on another wax paper-lined baking sheet to cool.

Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow | Taste As You Go

Once everything has cooled, combine the dark chocolate pieces and the white chocolate pieces in a large bowl and store in an airtight container until you're ready to serve.

Or, just chow down if you have no self-control when you're around chocolate and peppermint... Like me... *ahem*

Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow | Taste As You Go

Obviously, this Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow would be a festive addition to any holiday party table (make lots)...

Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow | Taste As You Go

but it would also make the perfect DIY holiday gift.

Just place the puppy chow in clear cellophane bags, tie the bags up, and adorn them with cute ribbons or bows.

Voila!

Simple, sweet, and made with love.

What are your favorite homemade gifts to give during the holidays? Let me know in the comments!

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