This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.
Looking for an easy, fast treat for your Valentine? Red Hots Muddy Buddies are the perfect blend of spicy and sweet!
I’m Red Hot For You Valentine!
Oh Valentine, You Make Me Sizzle.
Valentine, You’re Spicy Sweet!
Okay, sorry. I couldn’t resist. I mean, it’s a Red Hots treat for Valentine’s Day, after all. Believe me, I had a lot more sayings. None of them entirely appropriate for a food blog, either. Ahem.
Have you seen all the muddy buddies (aka puppy chow) around blogland lately? I’ve been inspired! But, with all the inspiration, I had the hardest time coming up with a flavor to make. And then I had it: Red Hots! The ultimate Valentine candy! Well, at least, I remember them being Valentine Candy. Now, you know, they aren’t. And, I guess they aren’t very popular, because I had to go to three stores to find them. (FYI, Walmart and Walgreens carry them, in boxes, movie-theatre style.)
I’m not a huge Red Hots fan; they are too strong for me. So I wondered what would happen when I made these into muddy buddies. And I was very happy with the result!
These are so simple to make. First, you need to crush your Red Hots. I didn’t do this for my first batch and they didn’t melt very much. So, put them in a plastic bag and whack away with a glass. Just be sure to put the bag on a paper plate first – holes appear quickly and you don’t want to clean Red Hot dust out of your grout.
Then you simply melt candy melts and the red hots together with a bit of oil. Be sure to stir it often – the candy hardens quick. Spread the melted mixture over Chex mix, shake it in powdered sugar, and you’re done! Just be sure to pull out any Red Hots that didn’t melt all the way before serving – you don’t want anyone to break a tooth!
The sweetness of the vanilla candy cuts the cinnamon flavor quite a bit. You get a hint of cinnamon, and mingled with the sweetness, this is quite a tasty treat.
So you can serve it up to your Valentine and say, “I think you’re Red Hot!”
Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
Red Hots Muddy Buddies
Ingredients
- 4 ounces vanilla flavored almond bark or candy melts
- 3 1/2 cups Chex cereal
- 1/3 cup Red Hots crushed
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place Chex in a large bowl. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Place powdered sugar in a large zip-top plastic bag.
- You can crush your Red Hots in a plastic bag. Place the bag on a paper plate and bash the bag with the bottom of a glass.
- Place candy melts, oil, and Red Hots in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for about 2 minutes, stirring well every 30 seconds. The Red Hots will stick to the side of the bowl so be sure to scrape it when you stir.
- Once candy has melted together (there will still be small pieces of Red Hots evident in the candy) pour it over the Chex and stir well. Pour the cereal in the plastic bag. Seal (be sure it’s sealed) and shake vigorously, to coat all the cereal with powdered sugar. Turn out onto cookie sheet and let cool. Pick out any whole Red Hots before serving. Those are too hard to chew!
Recipe Nutrition
Click here for my complete list of Valentine’s Day Recipes!
More snack ideas for your Valentine:
Sweets from Friends:
Nutella Almond Muddy Buddies by Something Swanky
Cookie Butter Muddy Buddies by Kristin’s kNook
Mocha Cappuccino Puppy Chow by Inside BrewCrew Life
Last Updated on May 15, 2020
YUM! I love the cute little sayings you came up with…maybe I can make this next year with a printed tag! So fun!
That would be yummy! I am craving them now. 🙂
mmm, they r so sweety on pictures )
Thanks Nadia!
what a fun twist on a classic- we’d love for you to join us on the photo friday linky party. happy weekend!
Thank you Deirdre!
Oh!! This looks amazing!! I am in love with your site! You have so many delicious things! Would you consider linking this and anything else you want to share, over at my Pinterest Power party?
http://www.thetaylor-house.com/2013/02/14/pinterest-power-party-7.html
Thanks!
Chrissy
Thanks Chrissy!! 🙂
Beautiful pictures! And I love red hots mixed with other sweets. The extra sugar takes that nasty “bite” out!
Totally! They are just the right amount of cinnamony. 🙂
OMG. I super heart red hots. But sometimes, admittedly, I think they’re way too hot (also, admittedly, sometimes I’m a wimp). But muddy buddies sound like the perf solution to taming the heat and smothering more stuff in powdered sugar 🙂
It totally tones them down. I am addicted to these, and I can’t even eat regular red hots. I guess aging changes things – I used to live on fireballs when I was a kid…
This is genius! I love Red Hots and never would have thought to use them in muddy buddies. Thanks!
Thanks Hannah! 🙂
What a great idea! I never would have thought of using red hots … great flavor combo 🙂
Thanks Brenda!
Dorothy, I LOVE Red Hots! These Muddy Buddies are a must make for me 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Michelle
Thanks Michelle! I cannot. stop. eating them. 🙂
Everyone in my house loves red hots–straight up! 🙂 This sounds so good, Dorothy!
Thanks Ashley! :):)
Featured In
Rate This Recipe