Puppy Chow "Christmas Crack" Cake

"Puppy Chow" or "Muddy Buddies" are a popular sweet no bake snack. In my family we make the treat for Christmas, sonwe affectionately refer to it as "Christmas Crack" because of how addictive the snack can be. The Puppy Chow I grew up with combines crispix cereal, powdered sugar, peanut butter and butterscotch morsels. I decided to up the ante and make a cake based off of those flavors and then top it with the yummy snack. 

Puppy Chow Cake

Vanilla Butter Cake

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• a pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk  

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and add parchment circles to three 6 inch round cake pans. 

Using the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. 

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 

Add eggs to the butter mixture one at a time. Then alternatively add flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture (beginning and ending with flour) and beat until just combined.  

Divide the batter into three 6 inch cake pans. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Then, move to a wire rack to cool.  

Peanut Butter Butterscotch Cream Cheese Icing

• 8 oz cream cheese 
• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butterscotch morsels, melted

Microwave the butterscotch morsels in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. Then let cool before adding to Icing.

Using the paddle attachment of a stand mixer cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Then, mix in cream cheese, peanut butter, and melted butterscotch morsels until smooth. If you desire a stiffer consistency you may want to add more powdered sugar. 

Puppy Chow (half of a recipe)

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butterscotch morsels
• 3 cup crispix cereal
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the peanut butter and butterscotch morsels together until smooth. Then, scoop the crispix into a large bowl or tupperware container, then pour the melted butterscotch and peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Gently fold the mixture into the cereal until every piece is coated. Then comes the fun part. I use a container that has a secure fitting lid. I pour the powdered sugar in the bowl with the coated cereal. Then, cover with the lid and shake until all the pieces are covered. If you are not into shaking the powdered sugar on you can always just fold the mixture until coated but wheres the fun in that ;).