Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies)

A favorite treat, that's easy to make and naturally gluten free!  Adapted from HTTPS://WWW.MELSKITCHENCAFE.COM/BROWNIE-BATTER-PUPPY-CHOW/.

INGREDIENTS

•  9 cups Rice Chex cereal (about 9 ounces which is half of a family-size box)
•  2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
•  1/2 cup (4.5 ounces) creamy peanut butter
•  Pinch of salt
•  1 1/2 cups (7.5 ounces) powdered sugar* (see note for substitutions)
•  4 cups small pretzels (about 4 ounces), optional

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour the cereal into a large bowl.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave at 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is smooth and creamy (don't overheat). Stir in the salt.
3. Drizzle the chocolate mixture over the cereal and using a flat rubber spatula gently fold the mixture until the cereal is evenly coated with the warm mixture.
4. Place the powdered sugar* in a large bag and add the chocolate-covered cereal (you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your bag). Close the bag and shake like your life depends on it until the cereal is coated with the dry mixture.  
5. Let the mixture cool completely and add pretzels.
6. This keeps for several days well-covered at room temperature.

NOTES

Substitute: You can use brownie mix instead of powdered sugar for an extra chocloately, brownie flavor.  If you don't have brownie mix you can sub powdered sugar and cocoa powder that's been whisked together (about 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar + 1/3 cup cocoa powder). You won't get quite that same "brownie batter" taste but it's still delicious.