📖 Instructions

1. Measure the cereal: Pour 9 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a large bowl. Make sure it's a BIG bowl; you'll need plenty of room to mix everything without making a mess (trust me, I've been there!)
2. Melt the white chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 12 ounces of white chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of butter (or coconut oil for a dairy-free option). Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as it can seize up. Patience is key here!
3. Add flavorings: Stir in 1/4 cup of apple cider, 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the melted white chocolate. This is where the magic happens! The apple cider adds a lovely tang, while the spices bring that warm, cozy flavor we all crave.
4. Coat the cereal: Pour the melted white chocolate mixture over the cereal. Gently toss until the cereal is evenly coated. Work quickly, as the chocolate will start to set.
5. The powdered sugar mixture: In a large zip-top bag, combine 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of crushed freeze-dried apples (for that extra apple kick!), and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Make sure the bag is properly sealed. A little tip is to use a proper sandwich bag instead of the cheap one or else the powder will come out
6. Shake it up: Add the coated cereal to the bag. Seal the bag tightly and shake well until the cereal is completely coated with the powdered sugar mixture. This is where you can really get your stress out. Shake, shake, shake!
7. Cool and Enjoy: Spread the puppy chow on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let it cool completely before serving. This helps the chocolate set and prevents the puppy chow from sticking together.
8. Storage: Store the Apple Crisp Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you can resist eating it all before then, that is!