Puppy Chow

Many of us remember this treat from our childhood (and the stoners among us remember it from college, as well). It's peanut-buttery, chocolaty deliciousness -- and it must be healthy, since it's cereal! Cereal is good for you, right?

Ingredients:

9 cups rice Chex or Crispix (or any other cereal, really, will do. Experiment!)
1 cup vegan chocolate chips (I prefer Ghiradelli Semi-Sweet)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup Earth Balance vegan butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Equipment:

large mixing bowl
microwaveable mixing bowl
paper grocery bag or one-gallon resealable freezer bag

Procedure:

Measure the cereal into the large mixing bowl and set aside.

Combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter and Earth Balance in the microwaveable bowl. Microwave on medium one minute at a time, stirring after each heating. Continue until smooth, and then stir in the vanilla.

Pour the chocolate mixture into the cereal, stirring gently as you go. I like to use a large spoon or spatula and do it in three steps. The goal here is to have as many unbroken pieces of cereal as possible, to maximize the "puppy chow" look.

Once the cereal is thoroughly coated with chocolate, dump it in the paper bag or freezer bag. Add the powdered sugar and shake to coat. The goal at this stage is to end up with individual pieces of sugar-coated, chocolate-coated cereal, rather than clumps of caked-together chocolate and cereal.

Place in tupperware or plastic baggies, and refrigerate until cool. Enjoy!