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Involve all with no-bake, shake treat

Baking season is upon us. That time of year when the baking section in the grocery store is flooded with non-regulars, everyone is searching for the best sugar cookie recipe, and decorative sprinkles, and ingredients for making and giving are flying off of the shelves.

There’s just something about making things that are homemade for those you love at this time of year.

Getting all hands-on deck, whether to taste test or help, and to make some yummies and some memories in the kitchen.

Sometimes at this time of year, we start to run out of time to make those intricately decorated little desserts. There are so many events, and so many opportunities to visit and spend time together, which is a wonderful time, but ultimately means less time in the kitchen.

Then we can factor in kids. If you have kids who desperately want to help out in the kitchen like mine do, but maybe they just happen to be toddlers with a far shorter attention span than that of an 8- or 9-year-old … I get it.

This recipe is for exactly that situation. It’s also for the situation with less time, and the one who is absolutely done with making (and eating) sugar cookies.

Does anyone else get to the point where they just can’t take any more of a certain flavor? Maybe it’s because I bake sugar cookies for every holiday and sometimes birthdays, per request, but sometimes I just want to eat something different.

Differently flavored, and often times, not a cookie at all. Something with a more interesting texture.

Again, enter in the Muddy Buddies.

Some of you may have never heard of these before, but if you like peanut butter and chocolate, these are going to be your most favorite treat yet.

They have also been called puppy chow, reindeer food, and I’m sure there are plenty of other variations out there that I’ve not yet heard.

Whatever they’re called, they’re delicious.

Also, they don’t require any baking. They are really as easy as a snack can get.

So as usual, I’m sure I have plenty more words I could use to convince you to make these. However, I’m going to leave you with the recipe, so you can find out for yourself.

As always, thanks for reading and happy holidays from hbk!

INGREDIENTS

9 C. Rice Chex†, Corn Chex† or Chocolate Chex† cereal (or combination)

1 C. semisweet chocolate chips

¢ C. peanut butter

™ C. butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 ¢ C. powdered sugar

SUPPLIES

Food storage bag – large

INSTRUCTIONS

1. First — don’t be scared away by how many cups of Chex this calls for, it’s really only half of a large box.

Measure cereal and scoop into a large bowl.

2. Using a medium bowl, microwave the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter for one minute. Stir vigorously. If not smooth, continue microwaving for thirty seconds and then stirring until you reach a smooth consistency.

Stir in vanilla, mix well.

3. Scoop the powdered sugar into a large ziplock bag. If you have more than one kid helping you, you may want to divide the powdered sugar evenly amongst multiple bags.

4. Pour the chocolate and peanut butter mixture over top of the cereal and stir well using a rubber spatula.

Once the majority of the cereal is well coated, pour the cereal into the bag containing the powdered sugar, and shake!

Keep shaking until evenly coated. This is the ultimate kid job right here!

If muddy buddies are still moist or warm, you can lay them out on a piece of parchment or wax paper until dry, then place in a resealable bag or container.

Enjoy!

Katy Wise is a Fredonia resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com

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