Christmas Muddy Buddies

Muddy Buddies are one of my favorite treats. Everyone I know loves them! When it comes to desserts I usually have plenty of self control but when I start eating muddy buddies I usually have to keep telling myself to stop at least a few times until I actually do! I was thinking about what to make for neighbor gifts this year when I thought it'd be a fun idea to add Christmas M&M's to Muddy Buddies. Who doesn't love Muddy Buddies and M&M's? It's a win-win situation!  This fun treat can be served at a Christmas party like in this above picture or...

you can package them up for gifts! I adapted my favorite Muddy Buddy recipe to use the whole box and I was able to get 7 gift bags from it. I would have done more at once but I didn't have a bowl big enough so I made this recipe twice. The scattered sprinkling of the Christmas M&M's looks very fun and festive.

Here are your main ingredients. I used 1 package of M&M's for 2 batches.

I used 2 cookie sheets to cool the Muddy Buddies.

To package it, I used cello bags, and poured in a small amount of Muddy Buddies then sprinkled in some m&m's and repeated the layers then tied it with a ribbon and put a cute Christmas to, from tag on it. This is a perfect gift for friends, and neighbors!

Christmas Muddy Buddies
Ingredients:

1 box (12.8 oz.) (about 13 cups) Rice Chex, Corn Chex Wheat Chex or Chocolate Chex cereal (or combination)

1 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
6 tablespoons butter, cut into smaller pieces

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup Christmas M&M's

Directions:

Line 2 baking sheets with wax paper and set aside.  Pour cereal into a very large bowl; set aside.

In 1-1.5 quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir.  Microwave 15-30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. 

Add powdered sugar and gently stir into chocolate covered cereal.  Spread cereal on the two baking sheets to cool.  Once cool, put the Muddy Buddies into desired container or gift bags, by adding a small amount of Muddy Buddies then sprinkle a few M&M's and repeat.

Store in airtight container in refrigerator.