Strawberry Shortcake Mix

I whipped up this strawberry shortcake puppy chow when my niece had friends over for a pool party last year. It disappeared in seconds! The little ones gobbled it all up, and let's be honest, the grown-ups couldn't keep their hands off it either. There's something about that mix of crunchy cereal with creamy white chocolate and zesty strawberry powder that folks can't resist. The cute pink color works great for Valentine's parties, baby celebrations, or whenever you need a fast, tasty snack.

Brought this to a kids' hangout recently and watched as four moms who claimed they'd "only try a little bit" went through almost half the bowl. My buddy Jenna messaged me super late asking how to make the "pink crunchy stuff" because her little girl wouldn't stop talking about it. Now I'm stuck bringing this treat to every single get-together until fall.

Perfect Your Supplies

• Freeze-dried strawberries: These are a must-have. Regular strawberries won't work since they're too wet and will make everything mushy. The dried ones pack loads of flavor and give that natural pretty color.
• Chex cereal: Go with either Rice or Corn Chex. I've tested other cereals but these two stand up best to all the yummy coating without getting too heavy.
• White chocolate: This makes the sticky base that holds everything together. I've sometimes used vanilla candy melts when I'm in a rush, but true white chocolate tastes way better.
• Powdered sugar: Gives that famous puppy chow texture and cuts through the berry tang. You'll want plenty – it's what makes everyone come back for more.

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Tasty Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow Steps

Handling The Berries:

First, turn your freeze-dried strawberries into fine powder. My blender does this job in under a minute. If you bought strawberry powder already made, you can jump ahead, though freshly ground berries taste brighter.

Making The Coating:

Mix your strawberry dust with powdered sugar until you see a light pink blend. I sometimes run mine through a strainer if bigger berry chunks remain. Put this in a big ziplock bag – this will be where the magic happens.

Working With Chocolate:

White chocolate needs careful heating. Pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds, give it a good stir, then heat in 15-second bursts until smooth. If it's acting stubborn, a tiny drop of coconut oil helps.

Mixing It Up:

Dump your Chex into a big bowl and slowly pour melted chocolate over top. Fold everything together with a soft spatula. Don't mix too hard or you'll end up with cereal crumbs.

The Fun Part:

Move your chocolate-covered cereal into the ziplock with your strawberry-sugar mix. Make sure it's sealed tight (double-check – I've learned this lesson!), then gently toss to cover each bit. Sometimes I use my fingers to carefully turn the cereal in the bag instead of shaking.

Cooling Down:

Lay your coated cereal on a baking sheet lined with parchment and stick it in the fridge for about 15 minutes. This helps everything firm up and keeps it from sticking together when stored.

My first try making this was a complete mess – I mixed fresh strawberry powder right into the melted chocolate and it instantly clumped up. Now I always keep those two separate. I've also tried adding a tiny bit of vanilla to the melted chocolate for extra shortcake flavor. My hubby wants me to toss in small white chocolate chips after it cools, which tastes amazing but isn't doing our waistlines any favors.

Fun Twists To Try

Though I love the strawberry version best, you can use other freeze-dried fruits too. Raspberries make an even brighter pink snack with more tang. Blueberries create a gorgeous purple mix that's great for space-themed events. For the grown-ups, try adding some grated lemon peel to the strawberry mix for a strawberry-lemonade flavor that's totally addicting. During Christmas, I throw in some smashed candy canes for a strawberry-mint combo.

Keeping It Fresh

Store your puppy chow in a sealed container at room temp and it'll stay good for about a week. If your house gets warm, pop it in the fridge so the white chocolate doesn't get soft. I've found that plastic bags work fine, but hard containers stop it from getting crushed. Just know that midnight snacking is pretty much guaranteed when this stuff is in your kitchen.

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I've cranked out this strawberry shortcake puppy chow so many times I could almost do it blindfolded now. It's turned into my go-to treat for summer get-togethers, and folks actually get a bit sad if I show up with something different. My kid's baseball coach recently told me he gets excited when it's our turn for snacks because of "that pink stuff." There's something really special about food that feels both old-school and fresh – and this hits both marks perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap out the cereal for something else?

Sure thing! Rice or Corn Chex are ideal because their shape holds the coating well, but you can try Crispix, plain Cheerios, or even pretzel sticks for a sweet-and-salty combo.

→ Where do I find freeze-dried strawberries?

Most grocery stores stock them in the dried fruit or snack sections. They're easy to find at Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, or even online like on Amazon. If unavailable, try strawberry Jell-O powder instead (just use less sugar).

→ Can other dried fruits work here?

Of course! Raspberries, mangoes, blueberries, or even mixed fruits will give you fun flavor options. Experiment with combinations for different fruity mixes.

→ Why does my melted chocolate get lumpy?

White chocolate's tricky with heat. Always melt it slowly, microwaving in short intervals (30 seconds or less) and stirring in between. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening to help smooth things out.

→ How long will this mix stay fresh?

Store in an airtight container, and it should be good up to a week at room temp. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it for up to three months.