Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow Recipe

Okay, real talk: if strawberry shortcake and puppy chow had a hot, forbidden love child, this would you judge them? No. You’d just grab a spoon (or your grubby hands) and dive in. This stuff is pink, crunchy, stupidly delicious, and disappears faster than my dignity at an open bar. Ready to make the snack that will ruin all other snacks for you? Let’s go.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

It’s no-bake, takes 15 minutes tops, and tastes like you layered fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and buttery cake—except it’s actually just cereal covered in happiness. You get that nostalgic strawberry shortcake flavor with zero whipping, zero baking, and zero guilt (until you eat half the batch in one sitting). Plus, it’s dangerously shareable—perfect for parties, road trips, or hiding in your closet at 2 a.m. I’ve literally had friends steal Ziplocs of this from my kitchen. That’s the level we’re working with.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow

• 8 cups Rice Chex cereal (rice stays crispier, fight me)
• 1½ cups white chocolate chips (or vanilla candy melts if you’re fancy)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (makes the chocolate silkier)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended)
• Few drops pink food coloring (because we want Barbie-dream-house pink)
• 1 cup dry strawberry cake mix (yes, straight from the box—this is the magic)
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups crushed Golden Oreos (roughly 20 cookies—this is your “shortcake” layer, non-negotiable)
• Optional but elite: ¾ cup crushed freeze-dried strawberries (extra punch + pretty pink flecks)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Dump the 8 cups of Chex into your biggest bowl. Seriously, go big or you’ll be chasing cereal across the counter like a loser.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips + butter in 25–30 second bursts, stirring like your life depends on it. Burnt chocolate is a sin. Once it’s smooth, stir in the vanilla and pink food coloring until it looks like Pepto-Bismol had a glow-up.
3. Pour the melted pink heaven over the Chex. Fold gently with a spatula—you’re coating, not murdering. Every piece should be blushing.
4. In a giant zip-top bag (2-gallon if you have it), dump the powdered sugar + the entire cup of dry strawberry cake mix. Shake it like a maraca to combine.
5. Add the coated cereal to the bag, zip it tight (no explosions please), and shake like you’re in a 90s music video. Keep going until everything is evenly pink and powdery. Magic is happening.
6. Spread it out on wax paper or a baking sheet to cool for 10–15 minutes. Pro tip: walk away or you’ll start “testing” and lose half the batch.
7. Once cool, toss in the crushed Golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries (if using). Give it a gentle mix—this is where it goes from great to “shut the front door” good.
8. Try to act like you’re going to portion this into cute little bags for later. LOL, good luck.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a tiny bowl and ending up wearing half the chocolate? Rookie move.
• Overheating the white chocolate so it seizes into sad lumps? Tragedy.
• Skipping the Golden Oreos and wondering why it doesn’t taste like actual shortcake? Painful.
• Not shaking the bag long enough and getting sad naked patches of cereal? Unacceptable.
• Making this when you’re home alone with zero self-control? We’ve all been there.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• Gluten-free? Use gluten-free rice Chex and GF Oreos—still slaps.
• No cake mix? You can use strawberry Jell-O powder, but it’s more artificial tasting. I won’t judge… much.
• Want it less sweet? Use 50/50 white chocolate + semi-sweet, or skip the food coloring for a more natural pink from freeze-dried berries.
• Vegan? There are vegan white chips and butter now—go wild.
• Want it extra shortcake-y? Swap half the Golden Oreos for crushed Lorna Doone shortbread cookies. Chef’s kiss.

FAQs about Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow

Can I make this without cake mix?

Technically yes, but why would you rob yourself of the full strawberry punch? Use strawberry extract + more freeze-dried berries instead, but it won’t be the same crack-level addiction.

Is the raw cake mix safe?

Modern cake mixes are heat-treated. I’ve eaten gallons of this stuff and I’m still kicking. If you’re paranoid, spread the cake mix on a sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes to heat-treat it first.

Please help, my chocolate seized!

You overheated it or got water in it. Start over. Sorry, babe. Use a double boiler next time if microwave hates you.

Can I add peanut butter?

Yes, ⅓ cup melted with the white chocolate is delicious, but then it’s more “strawberry PB muddie buddies.” Still elite, different vibe.

How long does it stay fresh?

Officially 1–2 weeks in an airtight container. Realistically? 24–48 hours max before it mysteriously disappears.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, up to 2 months. But the texture gets slightly softer after thawing. I never have leftovers long enough to test this theory.

Help, I ate it all in one day. Is that normal?

Completely normal. Welcome to the club. We have T-shirts.

Related Recipes

• S’mores Brownie Pie Recipe
• Strawberry Lemon Blondies Recipe
• Lemon Raspberry Cookies Recipe

Final Thoughts about StrawberryShortcake Puppy Chow

You now possess the power to make the most dangerous snack on earth. Use it wisely—or don’t, I’m not your mom. Go make this, take a cute pic for the ‘gram, then immediately hide the rest from your family. You’ve earned the right to be selfish with this one. Now quit reading and go get your pink on.