The first time I made this, I plated it for a late-night movie crowd and it disappeared before the opening credits.
If you are looking for a fast, nostalgic snack that tastes like strawberry shortcake in every crunchy bite, this puppy chow is the answer.
It’s no-bake, adaptable, and perfect when you want something sweet without a lot of work or dishes.
If you like quick cereal snacks, you might also enjoy my twist on apple cinnamon puppy chow for another seasonal treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in minutes with pantry staples.
- No baking required — perfect for parties, road trips, or after-school snacking.
- Bright strawberry flavor without artificial chewiness when you use real dried or fresh strawberries.
- Kid-friendly and easy to scale for crowds.
The texture is a play of contrasts: airy, crisp Rice Chex gets a silky, sweet white-chocolate coating that clings to every square.
The powdered sugar and cake mix dusting adds a nearly melt-in-your-mouth finish while the chopped strawberries bring bursts of tang and refrigerative chew.
It’s dessert, snack, and memory all at once — a little messy, very addictive, and infinitely customizable.
“I made this for my book club and everyone asked for the recipe — sweet, crunchy, and not too heavy. A solid 5 stars!” — Emily, reader
Also, if you like experimenting with flavor twists, the caramel ideas in this caramel apple puppy chow variation inspired a few swaps I used here.
Key Ingredients
Rice Chex cereal
Rice Chex is the structural backbone. Its neutral flavor and sturdy squares hold up to coating without turning soggy. Use plain Rice Chex rather than flavored varieties so the strawberry and white chocolate really sing.
White chocolate
White chocolate adds creamy sweetness and helps the coating set around the cereal. Use good-quality white chocolate chips or bars — they melt smoother and are less likely to seize. Ghirardelli or Callebaut-style white chocolate is a safe bet.
Strawberry cake mix and powdered sugar
The strawberry cake mix provides concentrated strawberry flavor and a faint crumbly texture that clings to the white chocolate. Powdered sugar lightens the mix and adds that classic "puppy chow" dusting. For extra vibrancy, use a high-quality cake mix brand rather than generic.
Strawberries (dried or fresh)
Dried strawberries add chewy, concentrated flavor and shelf stability. Fresh strawberries give bright acidity and freshness but must be added right before serving to avoid sogginess. Choose freeze-dried or well-dried berries for the best texture.
Full ingredients list:
- Rice Chex cereal
- Strawberry cake mix
- White chocolate
- Powdered sugar
- Strawberries (dried or fresh)
- Butter
I sometimes reference other cereal-based recipes like the caramel apple recipe when adjusting batch sizes or coatings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Melt the white chocolate and butter
Place white chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in 20–30 second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy.
If the chocolate thickens, add a small splash of vegetable oil or shorten the bursts.
Pro Tip: You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture is shiny and pourable, with no grainy bits after a good stir.
Step 2: Coat the Rice Chex
Transfer the Rice Chex to a large mixing bowl.
Pour the melted white chocolate and butter over the cereal.
Gently fold until every piece is lightly coated but not clumped.
Pro Tip: Use a large silicone spatula and fold instead of stirring vigorously; this preserves the cereal’s shape and avoids breakage. For visual cue, the cereal will lose its raw sheen and take on a pale, glossy coat.
Step 3: Bag and dust with strawberry cake mix and powdered sugar
Working in batches, place coated cereal into a large resealable plastic bag.
Add the strawberry cake mix and a few cups of powdered sugar.
Seal the bag and shake vigorously until pieces are evenly dusted.
Pro Tip: Don’t overfill the bag; work in 2–3 batches for even coverage. You’ll know it’s done when each piece has a dusty, matte finish instead of glossy white spots.
Step 4: Fold in strawberries
Chop fresh strawberries into small dice or break dried strawberries into bite-sized bits.
Gently toss them into the coated cereal, folding carefully to prevent too much moisture transfer if fresh.
If using fresh berries, add them right before serving.
Pro Tip: For best texture with fresh berries, pat them dry before chopping and fold them in at the last minute. If using freeze-dried strawberries, fold them in earlier; they’ll soften slightly but hold shape.
Step 5: Cool and serve
Spread the finished puppy chow on parchment to cool and set for 5–10 minutes.
Serve slightly cooled for best crunch and flavor.
Store leftovers as directed below.
Pro Tip: The coating firms up as it cools; you want it cool but not freezer-cold when serving for the best mouthfeel. For step-by-step coating visuals and tricks, check a related guide like this caramel apple puppy chow guide.
Expert Tips for Success
- Measure the cereal by volume, not by crushing. Rice Chex is fragile; scoop gently to avoid a powdery batch.
- Use low, even heat when melting white chocolate. Overheating causes grainy, separated white chocolate. Microwave in short bursts and stir well.
- If white chocolate starts to seize, add 1–2 teaspoons of neutral oil and stir until smooth. This saves many batches that look salvageable.
- Prefer dry strawberries for shelf stability. Freeze-dried or well-dried strawberries add concentrated flavor without wetness.
- For bright strawberry flavor without the cake mix’s sweetness, fold in a teaspoon of freeze-dried strawberry powder or a touch of strawberry extract.
- Cooling the mixture briefly on parchment prevents clumping and lets the powdered sugar set evenly.
- Use a gallon-size zipper bag for shaking; squeezing out excess air helps the coating distribute without tearing the bag.
- If you want chunkier clusters, reserve a small portion of the melted chocolate to drizzle over the finished mix and refrigerate to set.
- Adjust sweetness by swapping half the powdered sugar for cornstarch if you want less cloying dusting while keeping that classic puppy-chow texture.
- When packing for travel or gifts, include a small sealed packet of freeze-dried strawberries to keep texture fresh on arrival.
- For a professional look, sift a tiny bit of extra powdered sugar over the top just before serving to mimic a snow-dusted shortcake.
One last practical tip: If the batch seems too sticky after shaking, spread it on a sheet pan and let it air-dry 10–15 minutes; that usually resolves tackiness without changing flavor. Also see these caramel apple tips for cross-applicable troubleshooting ideas.
Storage & Freezing
Short-term storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Room temperature keeps the coating pleasantly tender without condensation.
Refrigerator: Store in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
Chill only if you included fresh strawberries; otherwise, refrigeration can make the cereal lose some crunch.
Freezing: Flash-freeze on a baking sheet in a single layer for 20 minutes, then transfer to freezer-safe airtight bags.
Frozen puppy chow keeps well for up to 3 months.
Thawing and reheating: Thaw at room temperature for 30–60 minutes before serving.
Do not microwave frozen puppy chow; microwaving melts the coating and ruins texture.
If the mix absorbs moisture and softens, re-crisp by spreading on a sheet pan in a 250°F (120°C) oven for 5–7 minutes, watching closely — this revives crunch without melting the coating.
Label freezer bags with date and content to avoid mystery snacks months later. For gifting, include a note with “best by” and serving suggestions.
Variations & Substitutions
Strawberry lemon shortcake: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the melted chocolate and swap half the powdered sugar for lemon powdered sugar.
Chocolate-drizzled: Use dark chocolate to drizzle over the finished mix for contrast and a more complex flavor profile.
Dairy-free swap: Replace butter and white chocolate with coconut oil and dairy-free white chocolate or candy melts.
Use freeze-dried strawberries to maintain texture and avoid moisture.
Nutty crunch: Toss in 1 cup toasted chopped almonds or pecans in the final fold for a toasty contrast.
Gluten-free check: Rice Chex is naturally gluten-free in many markets, but always check labels if you have celiac concerns.
Add cereal variety: Mix in 2 cups of Cheerios or corn chex to alter texture and keep the coating distribution interesting.
For seasonal spin, fold in mini marshmallows for a strawberry shortcake-meets-rocky-road vibe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use fresh strawberries instead of dried?
A: Yes, but add fresh strawberries at the last minute to prevent sogginess. Pat them dry and dice small so they integrate without releasing too much moisture. If you plan to store the mix, opt for freeze-dried or dehydrated berries to preserve crunch.
Q: Will regular cake mix work in place of strawberry cake mix?
A: Regular cake mix can work, but you’ll lose the concentrated strawberry flavor. To compensate, add 1–2 teaspoons of freeze-dried strawberry powder or a drop of natural strawberry extract.
Q: How do I prevent the white chocolate from seizing while melting?
A: Use short microwave bursts and stir between each. Avoid introducing water and add a teaspoon of neutral oil if the mixture looks grainy. Melting over a double boiler on low heat also prevents seizing.
Q: Can I make this nut-free for school snacks?
A: Yes, this recipe is naturally nut-free if you avoid adding nuts. Confirm all packaged ingredients (like cake mix and cereal) are labeled nut-free and processed in nut-free facilities if needed.
Q: How do I scale the recipe for a party?
A: Multiply the ingredient quantities and work in batches when coating and shaking. Use two large bowls and two gallon bags to keep the process efficient and even. Spreading finished batches on separate sheet pans helps them set faster and avoids clumping.
Final Thoughts
This Quick Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow delivers all the charm of strawberry shortcake with no baking and minimal fuss.
If you loved this, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or pin it to Pinterest for later.
Conclusion
For another take on this flavor profile, check the Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow recipe on 12 Tomatoes for visual inspiration.
If you want a different technique and flavor notes, the Strawberry Puppy Chow variation on Strawberry Blondie Kitchen offers useful tweaks and ideas.
Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal Use plain Rice Chex for best flavor.
- 1 cup White chocolate Good-quality white chocolate chips or bars recommended.
- 1 cup Strawberry cake mix Use high-quality cake mix for better flavor.
- 1 cup Powdered sugar Lightens the mix and adds classic dusting.
- 2 cups Strawberries (dried or fresh) Use dried for stability; fresh must be added just before serving.
- 2 tablespoons Butter Helps smooth the white chocolate mixture.
Instructions
Preparation
- Melt the white chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-30 second bursts, stirring in between until smooth.
- Transfer the Rice Chex to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the melted white chocolate and butter over the cereal and gently fold until evenly coated.
Dusting
- Place the coated cereal into a resealable plastic bag with the strawberry cake mix and powdered sugar. Seal and shake until evenly dusted.
Finish
- Chop fresh strawberries or crumble dried strawberries and fold them into the coated cereal.
- Spread the puppy chow on parchment to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
